Lost In Space - Bulova Lunar Pilot 96B258 

Probably the most underrated watch manufacturer of all time. Bulova have made an admirable effort to make waves in the industry for decades. Most of their watches are good lookers, also their electronic accutron line are nothing to throw rotten fruit at

This is very nice review of the Bulova Lunar pilot -- well done! A couple of background comments, if I may. Bulova (pronounced BULL-uh-va, with accent on the first syllable, and no long "o" sound but "uh" instead) wanted to get their products on the wrists of astronauts and lobbied US Congress hard to get another shot at a contract, pointing to the rules set out in the 1933 Buy American Act. Bulova didn't have any manual wind chronographs in their catalog, so they went to their Universal Geneve subsidiary and procured the watch that became the prototype worn by David Scott in 1971. Ironically, it was a Swiss watch through and through, with a Valjoux 72 or 7736 movement. David Scott was given the watch by fellow astronaut Frank Borman, a West Pointer (US Military Academy) with personal ties to the president of Bulova at the time, who also knew Borman from West Point. Bulova's CEO was retired five-star General Omar Bradley, yet another famous graduate of West Point beloved for his leadership in World War II. The watch was carried as a favor and part of Scott's "personal effects", which all astronauts were allowed to bring on board with approval from NASA. They also took a bunch of first-day-of-issue postage stamps, which led to a major brouhaha later as NASA took a very dim view of astronauts using their government service for financial gain. The Omega Speedmaster did indeed fail after the second EVA on the moon, so Scott simply strapped his Bulova prototype on and completed the third and last EVA and wore the watch back to earth. There are photographs of him wearing it in the life raft in the water next to the space capsule after splashdown. Charlie Duke of Apollo 16 also had his Speedmaster fail, with the same exact symptoms. His occurred after the multiple EVA sequences on the lunar surface were over. NASA opened an engineering inquiry on the matter and determined that both watches failed because of overpressure of the air inside the watch caused by the extreme heat of the harsh unfiltered sun (their calculation was 190F), causing the crystal to pop off. They closed the inquiry because it was felt to be not a significant issue as the Apollo project was winding down. Several reviews have implied that David Scott purposefully caused the failure in order to wear the Bulova, but in truth he wasn't all that interested in the watch. He only carried it on the mission as a favor to Borman, referred to it as a "Waltham of some kind" during the debriefings, and of course he promptly forgot about it and threw it in a safe deposit box for forty years. Only when he discovered it again did he think about putting it up for auction, which he could do because it was his own personal property. Bulova never did cash in on the event, never releasing the "Bulova Space Compax" in the US market. They too forgot about it and Omega continues its dominance of the flight-certified watches to this day. I owned the first issue of the Bulova Moon Watch (as it was called back then -- I guess Omega got huffy with Bulova for using the term in advertising, hence the rename to Lunar Pilot). Unlike the prototype which was 42 mm in diameter, the modern homage is 45 mm and wears very large even on my 7-1/4" wrist. It may be that the current generation has some AR coating on it, but mine was plagued by reflections which made telling the time more of an effort than it should have been. I found that the 20 mm lug width with NATOs and even the bracelet imparted a "lollipop effect". In the end, I didn't wear the watch very much and eventually flipped it. I liked it, but never loved it. It does have some bit of space history -- but only tenuously -- and my wish is that Bulova will see that a smaller version would be worth the investment to produce. I like the design, but didn't like the comfort and was really bothered by the reflections on the prominent sapphire crystal.

I've seen several Lunar Pilot videos so far, yours is the best yet.

I listen to many watch reviews from multiple channels, most of whom are really good and a few are great. Can't put my finger on it but your ability to navigate history and personal experience is captivating. I was doing something fairly important when I curiously began watching this. I'll resume that when I finish commenting on this unexpected grand bit of storytelling and subscribe. Bravo!

Yes Bulova, make this 40mm and mechanical, it will fly off the shelves!

Such a beautiful piece, well worth the money!!!

Yes this guy is elegant and with an astronomic background, so I think I'll be looking at one soon!!!

Thank you SO much ! I just started collecting watches .. I found this watch randomly on the net ... looked it up and saw your video last week , I ordered the watch and I just received it now in the mail .. what a beautiful watch ! I love that it’s historic .. an actual real moon watch developed for NASA !! Thank you for all the details you have in your vid ... much appreciated !!! Peace ✌️

The Lunar Pilot is a watch I've lusted after for years. A friend of mine bought one several years ago which really whetted my appetite even more. Still, I held out as even though I own about a dozen watches I'm not really a collector, I just like nice watches. My thought process was that I already had a bunch of watches, I didn't need another. Well, the other day I was perusing the internet looking to buy myself something for Christmas and found a deal on a Lunar Pilot with the bracelet. However, I didn't pull the trigger. As usual for me I started watching reviews which of course talked me into it. I don't have it yet but it should arrive in a few days. Can't wait to get it on my wrist. Thanks for the in depth review. Very well thought out and done.

Damn, 200 something for a bracelet model! They are over $500 now... My biggest gripes with these is that if you get the strap version you can not fit the bracelet after the fact. Then you have those issues with the bracelet being brushed instead of bead blasted like the case. Outside of those 2 gripes I love my Moonwatch. Love your thought on the case/pusher design in relation to 40's/50's rockets... very interesting. The pushers for the chrono are so much better designed for space suit use with their thick gloves compared to the Omega. I still can't believe NASA went with a non American watch.

Appreciate your honesty regarding the commission, it's refreshing.

I like all the hands reach out to the markings like they are supposed to do. I recently bought this model and love it...

It seems to be a widely overlooked fact that the original prototype watch Scott wore was a shade over 43mm - it was pretty large for its day. I believe the reason the modern reissue is 45mm is due to packaging constraints with the movement

I own this same beautiful piece and as Ron stated, I don't wear it everyday due to being a special iconic watch. I love it...

I too have just bought this watch (the one with leather and fabric straps). I was looking at this or the more expensive titanium and gold version for some time. Not a massive difference in price and close enough to be competitors. Then during Black Friday week I noticed it was on sale at H Samuel jewellers for £288. That was the decider and went to buy it at the earliest I could which was 2 days later. They had sold out in the shop but went on the computer to order one. To my surprise it was reduced further to only £218. They could not order one as the system would not let them. They took my details and said they would contact me later. I heard nothing that day, I was gutted. The next day though they phoned me at work unexpectedly and told me they had got me one and made an appointment with me to pick it up. What a bargain.

i purchased the no date version the other day and while waiting I went on to watch about half a dozen videos. no other video showed the recessed minute markers had the cool rings around the whole watch. it definitely gives the watch a bit more depth. your macro shots were awesome. and the history you told was more accurate then other channels who skimmed over its history. thanks for the video

i have this watch, it's my favorite timepiece. But it is quite substantial on your wrist so if you wear dress shirts then make sure you buy shirts with wide cuffs so the watch can be tucked under without issue.

Great review mate. I purchased the two strap model. I’m a bit of a moon/lunar nut and the speedy used to be my grail watch, this Bulova has scratched the itch. It wears beautifully, but like you I only wear sparingly not because I dont like it, but because it feels too special to be an everyday timepiece. Whilst I like mechanical watches and wondered why Bulova did not do an authentic reproduction, I guess they like to flex their technical muscle and show their high frequency quartz movement and its ability to only shed 5-10 seconds per year!

I have a lunar pilot and two Sea Kings, all 262s ... and the accuracy on average is a gain of 10 to 12 seconds per year. I would encourage Bulova to get on the solar charging bandwagon so we can leave the original factory seals on the case back intact. My lunar pilot is the polished version and I would hold that machining and polishing up to any Rolex in comparison; it's stunningly well done. It also has no date complication as the original didn't. Further, the "Bulova" seraph typeface lettering on the polished version is authentic to the original while the bead blasted version is not. I'm entertaining the notion of ordering a bead-blasted case to swap onto mine for better authenticity. I have a proper crystal press and tools to do all that myself.

It's a great watch, and the only quartz timepiece in my collection. Very special.

Totally agree: Bulova please, make that watch smaller 40mm is enough. If Quartz, why not a solar? Better, make it mechanical. You could have a winner there in your drawer. Make something out of it!

Accutron 214 Cushion Shape Solid 14 KT Yellow Gold! It had a “Tuning Fork Movement” which “hummed”.... the pin lever was a diameter of a hair with a Jewel on the end striking the index wheel 365 X a Second giving the second hand a “fluid movement” appearance.. Awesome Technology! I was in High School, had the Blessing of being employed at Carl’s Diamond Brokerage, Carl’s Fine Jewelry. I learned Gemology, China, Silver, Fine writing instruments, and Fine Watches, we carried many lines of fine Watches and it was there I became a “Watch Addict! I still have and enjoy that beautiful 14KT Gold Accutronl timepiece and it was the most accurate timepiece in the world. I still wear and enjoy that Gorgeous Timepiece. I purchased a Bulova Luna Pilot which is the reissue of the original Bulova Moon Watch. The Movement is a new Generation of the Bulova Accutron Movement. Bulova was Purchased by Citizen. This is “Tri-Tuning Fork Technology” operating at 262 kHz and has a fluid movement that is one of the most accurate timepieces in the world. I have the Bulova Lunar, with a Leather and NATO Strap and I love the legibility of the White Hands, markers, and indices over the black dial. Very handsome timepiece, very accurate (+/- 1-3 seconds per year?). I also have this movement in a Beautiful Rose Gold Curve Dress Chronograph which is Gorgeous! Now, Bulova has Introduced the 2020 Spaceview with New Movement Technology. Yes, I Love Bulovas - so I will eventually want one. Why do some Chronographs stope recording at 1 hour? Yes, we have timing devices on our aircraft - but if instrument systems fail you can navigate using your chronograph. I have several that record up to 24 hrs. Thank You for Your wonderful Reviews and Videos!

A beautifull watch - have had one for sometime and never tire of wearing it. Mine is the verion with the 2 staps. Purchased mine on line .. on special , with free shipping - win.

Have this one love it, it's a quality piece. I wear it off and on, one of my favorites with my alpina startimer chrono and citizen and seiko divers. Size is perfect for me. I can't wear my 99 seamaster pro anymore, can't read it with the hands anyways and don't like the size any more. Can't find any faults to the bulova except i would rather see the modern bulova symbol on the dial instead of the text. Amazon discounts it heavily a few times a year, like black friday, around 275-300. I like the steel strap, it's very nice. For the same price as the leather strap watch, i chose metal. the strap retails for over 100. better to buy a leather or nato strap separately, altho i haven't been tempted to remove the stainless one yet (note the case for this and the leather strap model are apparently drilled differently, meaning the 2 straps aren't interchangeable). The shape of the case is beautiful and the long pushers unique. The crystal sticks out quite a bit. I don't mind it but i'm careful. If you walk around banging into doorknobs and wall corners, you might want to pass on this watch since the high edge of the crystal will be ground zero for impacts.

I'm considering buying one, I like the story behind it & I've heard other watch reviewers give Bulova a bit of a bashing while others love them. I think I'd go for the 50th anniversary limited edition though.

I’ll probably get one of these soon, it’s much cheaper than I thought it was gonna be. I’m also confident that I’ll probably never wear it. I think it’s still cool enough, and especially for the price, worth picking up regardless of wrist time.

I've had mine for a couple of years now and don't have any intentions of ever selling it, and I am a serial "flipper" its a great under rated timepiece. 👍

Excellent review of this superb watch. My Bulova Moon Watch is a beautiful soft semi-glossy black, with a matching black triple link stainless steel bracelet. It is scary-accurate, and extremely comfortable to wear. The comments some folks have made like ”I would buy one if they were smaller” tell me they have never seen one in person nor tried one on. It is one of the very most comfortable watches I own; perfectly proportioned, and just the right thickness. If I didn’t already own this one, I’d buy it again without a second thought. BTW, my caseback top is oriented to 12 o’clock and engraved same as yours. Bulova attention to details is outstanding and always has been.

Just ordered one this week and can’t wait to get it in! :D I bought the leather version that comes with the secondary NATO strap. I figured it would be easier to find a bracelet, as opposed to ordering the bracelet and hunting for the leather/natos. Bulova is an amazing American company that single-handedly kept American luxury watchmaking alive after the 70s.

i have one and i wear it, for my wrist just perfect and i just love the fact that i do not have to care about the accuracy, cause it just is without my interferrence

Bulova also supplied NASA with the in-capsule timing mechanisms for the moon missions.

Mind blown by the flash tie in... the crown became the jet engine!

Just got one as a birthday present and I love it. It wears smaller in every direction than my Hamilton Jazzmaster Seaview Chrono (TENET) but it's actually bigger. My brother has a Speedy and he keeps telling me I need one too, but I think I like the Bulova better.

I've been considering this watch but felt it was too big, and I didn't care for the case finish. I really like the HFQ movement though. If only they made it in 40mm case, 100m water resistance, leveled crystal to the bezel, and some nice case finishing and I would love it.

I love the clean and multilevel dial, almost complete lack of any reflectivity, and brushed case. The version I have came with both a black leather and an astronaut-eseque velcro-closure NATO with a leather tab with watch specs embossed on it - and neither sat particularly well on my wrist. This watch, to me, wears a bit big, but fits my 7 3/4 wrist nicely. I put the watch on a quality medium gray single-pass NATO and it wears much better -- and looks stunning as the band complements it so well.

Best review of this watch I’ve seen! If it was smaller and with a better bracelet and clasp I’d buy one. I love the high frequency 262 hertz movement. I would like to buy the movement and put it in some of my watches that have cheaper inaccurate automatic movements! Super accuracy with a sweeping second hand- awesome.

Best review of this watch so far...good job

Not on my wrist? Never... I work in aerospace and i just can't bring myself to wear my Omega Moonwatch for fear of damaging it but I wear my Bulova moonwatch almost every day.

Re: the Flash Gordon hypothesis -- unprovable, but suggestive. I, too, see a striking resemblance to the serial's spaceships and other accoutrements. I even received a "Flash Gordon" raygun toy as a Christmas gift ca. 1947 -- almost too big for my small hands to handle, and the trigger pull took all my strength, but was rewarded with a rather anemic flash of red light (piezoelectric, I now realize) in a chamber windowed with mica or a similar substance. The raygun's esthetic was solidly in line with the spaceship -- and the "Moon Watch". By the way, I own one of these Bulovas and like it but it's way too big for my 6 3/4-inch wrist so it lives most of its life in a box. Rather sad.

2mm smaller was the original watch on the MOON, just right info!!

I don't know about 'a likely story,' in that there are stories floating around that Omega speedies are prone to having crystals pop off at inopportune moments...

I have the 96AA25 Archive series without the date complication which is the closest you can get to what actually was worn on the moon. Lovely watch, I do own a speedy which I dearly love and it does get regularly used, I just love its simplicity and clarity. However for a daily wear watch that is elegant and has character and also has a panache, you cant beat this in my opinion. It took a while to find the the 96AA25 as everything on the market seems to be the date complication model or the all black version. Still it was worth the hunt !

I wear mine regularly in rotation in my twelve watch collection, I got the polished no date version on the nylon strap and it wears fine on my seven and quarter inch wrist. I never really considered the Flash Gordon similarity but now you’ve pointed it out it is pretty obvious, I loved watching those serialised B&W episodes on TV in the seventies. It’s a cool watch, I think many that criticise it’s size haven’t actually tried one on, I’m open to all sizes of watches, I’m actually wearing a 34 inch Timex Marlin on an expanding bracelet as I type this, so it’s not like I’m into huge watches, just watches in general that have some sort of historical importance.

Beautiful timepiece they BULOVA should have place an automatic movement by Citizen-Miyota

I fell in love with the watch at the store I had the same issue as it lives in my watchbox. I bought the leather strap version It wasnt till i placed it on a nato that it felt comfortable to wear.

If it had 100 meters of water resistance, this watch would be right down my alley. ✌🏽

Wonderful review, excellent history and great take on size, marketing shortcomings, and querying the specifics of Dave Scot’s narrative I have the (now) bigger original with date complication. Love the tool watch aesthetic with its peerless legibility and uncommonly I do make frequent use use of the chrono. That size though - really a little too big for most of us who don’t find the need to put on our spacesuits for the workday

A nice read-through of the history. Thank you!

Got speedy and the lunar pilot, love this one more!

Yes, Yes.

I have one and I enjoy it. It’s my second Precisionist. The only downside for me is Precisionist battery life.

I ended up putting a nice waffle strap on mine - now it spends less time in the watch box! Fits fantastic on my smaller wrist now, and really looks the part!

If ever a watch needed to go on a nato strap it's this one. 🙂

I love mine and it gets plenty of wrist time, even if it is on the large size for my wrist. This is one of two watches I have to purposely take off so my other watches get worn. Great review!

For me, 2021 is the year of the quartz. I’ll be getting the black version.

Great video - so it wasn’t all about the Speedmaster! I have a Bulova Luna and a Speedy - I love the Bulova as much as I love my Speedy. Thanks for explaining the background of this fabulous watch.

I just picked up the black module (dark side) it's a beautiful watch and looks good luckily I have large wrists.

I have the polished case version. Would have preferred if mine came with the bracelet like yours. I changed the standard nylon strap out to a leather rally strap, as I didn't like how the nylon strap ran under the case and made an already tall watch even taller, plus it hid the story on the case back. It's my only Quartz, and I love it as a grab and go piece, especially with it's +/- 10 seconds PER YEAR accuracy. Basically just set it when you replace the battery and you're good!

Batifully watch...

Thanks for letting me know you had this review. Will purchase one soon - thanks again!

Thanks for this - looked for one half price myself and got one off Amazon UK (fulfilment) for £214 - I'd have never looked if it wasn't for this Channel - so big thanks

people always complain about the size. but remember, twas supposed to be worn over the spacesuit!

Comparing the chronometers to "craters" is a bit of a stretch, but learning the historical details was quite enjoyable. Good review!

Like the presentation, loved how you focused on its capability in space something even Bulova has seem to neglect doing.I also have a Bulova Lunar Pilot watch, and can't understand why everyone complains about the size, my only quam is it should be offered as an automatic. Lastly, I would love if you did a presentation on the Victornox Ambassador XL automatic it was a limited edition. Amongst my watches it one of the most beautiful watches I've ever seen (IMHO)

This is my next watch .... Just gonna see it in person first .....

Great review on the Lunar Pilot watch, and I have it with the two strap version. No complaints about the size, and for the money it is a beautiful piece, and very nicely built. I love it 👍 Tam.

The Flash Gordon "'30s" influence is apparent to me, too, and is welcome. Who can say what positive influence the "old" sci-fantasy fiction, both in film and in print, has had on the development of space exploration? It's bound to be there, and I suspect it's considerable. Maybe this watch design represents a tiny nod of recognition.

Great video and thanks for sharing.

About time this Bulova is reviewed, the history review was of interest. It's worth watching the interview with astronaut Dave Williams as well as he discusses his collection. I've always thought of the high beat Quartz movement by Bulova as a great , worth owning , watch. I do think it would be nice to have a 42 to 40 mm case size. Thanks for the review. Well done

This review is so well done, bravo sir.

I think that that's an attractive watch. I think you should wear it more often.

Excellent vid sir and such a good watch! Get this - I actually bought it too about a year and a half ago... and I've not even unboxed it!!! I can't say exactly why, probably too many other watches. I got the commemorative edition and you have just inspired me to look it out. Keep up the great work 👍🏻

I bought more mine over two months ago due to a jeweler having one in the case for over two years.after a long discussion I was able to get it for $300 with both the leather and mission style strap. I love this watch and have compared it directly with a Omega Speedmaster in person and I enjoy the Bulova much more for much less! IMO it’s an amazing watch that will always have a home in my collection! Thanks for the review on this truly unique watch! P.S. try it on a mission style strap it wears amazing!

Very interesting review, full of much information. It’s well researched and brilliantly presented by an owner of a Lunar Pilot. Thank you.

very informative,i did not know the original was mechanikal

I've got the strap model and not really a quartz fan so it doesn't get the wrist time it deserves. Great watch for someone new to watch collecting because of the entry level price but for diehard collectors Bulova should have put a mechanical movement in the watch... Great review..

Its a great watch and I watch every video that comes out but I cant put my finger on why I cant bring myself to buy one, its strange is it the quartz movement or am I a bit of a watch snob dont know, you summed it up at the beginning, if I brought it it would sit in its box forever never seeing the light of day for me as a collector, I do however appreciate how good it is at the price point.

Greetings from northen Sweden and a fellow watch entusiast. This one is on my list. I have tried it on and it's a wee bit large but still wears well. Nice review.

Thanks for your great entertaining video. I wish the Lunar Pilot was a couple of mm smaller.

The reason it’s 45 mm is probably cos Bulova is owned by citizen and most of their watches measure 45 mm, I think if the watch was maybe 44 mm just a tad smaller it would fit better.

I am thinking of buying this one. The Omega Speedmaster Professional is financially out of reach for me. The /ulova would be a bo brainer if not for the integrated bracelet. All in all, it is a cool watch@!

Original Bulova sold at auction for I believe $1.3 or 1.6 million…

*astronomical, not astrological. Apart from that, a very good video! I own one of these and I love it. Not too big as I had feared.

It's a shame Bulova had to make the homage so big, you get used to it after a while, but it will limit its sales dramatically.

Part way through your video so I am expecting some bad news but for now thanks for the heads up on the polished version, having done a few searches to see images of it I think I prefer the 96A225

That was a very interesting and pleasant review. I’d get one if it was smaller.

Mine also stays in watch box but I still love it

I love Big watches. I have a 44mm Seagull Ocean Star Diver. I would love to get this Bulova but I bought the Seagull 1963 column wheel chronograph hand wound as I don't like quartz watches. The Bulova was made to be worn over your Pullover if you are a desk space pilot.

Thanks for the great review. I own both the Stainless Steel Bracelet model (96B258), as well as the Special Edition model on Leather Strap with the additional NATO strap model (96B251). I wore the stainless steel bracelet model on and off for about two years, but have since neglected to wear it in favor of my Seiko SKX007J1 and Citizen Promaster NY0040-09ee black dial dive watches. This is mostly because I much prefer the dive watch design as an every day tool watch and also because I do not want to damage the Bulova, especially the highly exposed box crystal. I will probably wear it on some future special occasions, just not very often. The Special Edition version has never been worn and remains in its original black presentation box since the day I purchased it. In fact, the quartz movement has also never been activated. I prefer to save the special edition version as a collector's piece and keep it in absolute pristine condition.

I wish the case size was smaller so I could wear it

I hope they do a 50th anniversary edition of the Bulova in 2021

I ordered the black one. My smaller wrist, on my right hand, is 8.5" so I need a bigger watch. With a big wrist, you look silly with a small watch. This is perfect. It uses a Cr-2016 Lithium battery cell, which usually lasts 10 years in most watches, so I'm not sure the 2-year life is going to be accurate. This is probably a big person watch. I have a Heuer Monza 150.501 I bought in 1977, which is very similar to this, as it has a tach scale and is PVD coated, but it needs repair and may have to be sent to Switzerland.

yeah mate, there is no fucking reason why bulova can't make this watch a little bit smaller, I hope they are listening and come out with something smaller for 2021..

I prefer big watches. I mean not 47-50mm Invicta but 42-44mm is superb. This 45mm is only 0,5mm each side on my preferences. Not bad.

They GOTTA make it smaller! ITS TOO BIG!!

Everyone who reviews this outstanding watch makes the same insignificant, silly, comment about the bracelet’s finish differing from the watch...so what, I mean for the price you blokes are paying stop complaining and just wear the watch jeeeez!

I am interested enough to want one. 👍❤⌚

Just pulled the trigger on one because I found it on sale. Now just need to find a black & grey stripe NATO strap for it.

Well, we are in 2021 and no word on Bulova preparing any re-issues of this watch to commemorate 50th anniversary of it's Moon flight. It would be such a shame to waste this occasion!

I think you you may have just sold me this watch (was looking at it against a different one) nice review, subscribing was easy decision :-)