The Bulova Lunar Pilot is a history-rich, ultra-accurate chronograph inspired by Apollo 15. At the same time, the Bulova Marine Star is a bold, water-ready sports line built for nautical style and everyday adventure. Choosing between them comes down to whether space heritage and high‑precision quartz matter more to you than dive‑style looks and real-world water resistance.
Overview: Bulova Lunar Pilot vs Marine Star
- The Lunar Pilot is part of Bulova’s Archive Series. It recreates the chronograph worn on the Apollo 15 moon mission, updated with Bulova’s ultra‑high‑frequency quartz movement for extreme accuracy and a smooth‑sweeping chrono hand. The Bulova watch holds significant historical importance for its connection to NASA, the Apollo missions, and the history of space exploration. Notably, Colonel Dave Scott wore a customized Bulova Lunar Pilot during Apollo 15 while operating the lunar rover, making it the only privately owned watch worn on the moon and cementing its status as a collectible with true space heritage. The Bulova Lunar Pilot is sometimes referred to as the 'other Moonwatch, drawing comparisons to the iconic Omega Moonwatch for its role in lunar exploration. The original Bulova Lunar Pilot was customized for lunar conditions and designed to operate while wearing flight gloves, featuring elongated chronograph pushers for ease of use. These details enhance the watch's authenticity and appeal to collectors and enthusiasts.
- The original Bulova Lunar Pilot was priced between $625 and $775, while the current price range (as of early 2026) varies from approximately $420 to $1,650. Special editions include the Apollo 15 50th Anniversary Edition at $995, the Lunar Pilot Reimagined model released in 2023 at $895, and the Meteorite Limited Edition at $1,495, limited to 5,000 pieces. The Bulova Lunar Pilot is available for purchase on platforms like Amazon and Chrono24.
- The watch is available in multiple models and special editions, with limited editions featuring dials made from authentic meteorite. It comes with two interchangeable straps: one in textured leather and another in a textile strap with a hook-and-loop fastener. While the design makes it difficult to use certain types of straps, such as NATO straps, other straps can be used for further customization. The case size is 45mm, with a water resistance of 50 meters, but the large case size is often criticized as uncomfortable or unnecessarily large for some wrists.
- The Lunar Pilot includes a tachymeter scale on the flange for calculating speeds, a common feature in chronographs. Specific design details, such as the elongated pushers and vintage-inspired dial, enhance its authenticity and appeal to collectors. However, users have noted that the chronograph hands can sometimes be misaligned and often do not return to the correct vertical position upon reset, requiring calibration using the pushers. The running seconds hand and the minute register at 9:00 move slowly rather than jumping every minute, making it difficult to read precisely. The chronograph stops at 60 minutes and must be restarted, contrary to some advertising. The lume on the hands and indices is often criticized for being weak and not lasting long. There are also concerns about overall quality control, with reports of hands falling off even on expensive watches. The 4:30 date window, absent from the original model worn on the moon, is seen by some users as unnecessary and frustrating.
- From my personal perspective, the Bulova Lunar Pilot stands out for its unique story and historical significance, which many users appreciate. I have considered buying and selling the watch, weighing its collectible value and distinctive heritage against practical concerns, and would consider repurchasing it for its space legacy and design.
History and Inspiration
The story of the Bulova Lunar Pilot Chronograph is one of innovation, adventure, and horological significance. Its roots trace back to the Apollo program, specifically the Apollo 15 mission in 1971, when Colonel Dave Scott made space history by wearing a customized Bulova chronograph on the lunar surface. Unlike the standard-issue Omega Speedmaster, Scott’s Bulova was a privately owned watch, engineered by Bulova’s own team to withstand the extreme lunar conditions—ranging from drastic temperature swings to the unique challenges of low gravity and pressure.
This Bulova prototype became the only privately owned watch ever to be worn on the moon, cementing its place in both space history and the world of watchmaking. After the mission, the original lunar pilot chronograph gained legendary status, mainly when it was sold at auction in 2016 for an astonishing $1.62 million. This event not only highlighted the watch’s historical importance but also its desirability among collectors and enthusiasts worldwide.
In response to this legacy, Bulova re-imagined the Lunar Pilot for modern watch collections, blending vintage inspiration with cutting-edge technology. The current Bulova Lunar Pilot Chronograph pays homage to the original, featuring a bold black dial—sometimes offered with a striking meteorite dial option—and a robust 45mm case that, thanks to its thoughtful design, wears smaller and more comfortably on the wrist than its dimensions suggest. The brushed finish and drilled lug holes make it easy to swap between the included leather strap and NATO strap, allowing for versatile wear whether you’re dressing up or going casual.
At the heart of the Lunar Pilot is Bulova’s high-performance quartz movement, renowned for its accuracy and reliability. The chronograph hands sweep smoothly thanks to the ultra-high-frequency quartz movement, and the discreet date window at 4:30 adds practical functionality without disrupting the classic dial layout. The sapphire crystal ensures durability and scratch resistance, while the overall design remains faithful to the original Bulova prototype that accompanied Scott on the moon.
For collectors and enthusiasts, the Bulova Lunar Pilot Chronograph is more than just a timepiece—it’s a tangible link to the golden age of space travel and a testament to Bulova’s commitment to precision engineering. Its blend of historical significance, accurate quartz movement, and versatile styling makes it a standout addition to any watch collection. Whether you’re drawn by its space history, its technical prowess, or its distinctive design, the Bulova Lunar Pilot Chronograph is a watch that continues to inspire and impress in the world of horology.
Key Specs and Features
Bulova Lunar Pilot
- Most current Lunar Pilot models use 316L stainless steel cases in sizes around 39–45 mm, with a thickness of roughly 13–14 mm and lug‑to‑lug of about 45–52 mm, depending on the reference. Sapphire crystal, 20 mm lugs, and solid screw‑down case backs are standard, giving a tool‑watch feel with strong scratch resistance.
- The proprietary NP20 High Precision Quartz runs at 262 kHz (approximately eight times the standard quartz rate), achieving accuracy to within seconds per year and enabling a smooth, sweeping central chronograph seconds hand. Water resistance is typically 50 m, making it fine for everyday wear and light splashes but not ideal for serious water sports.
Bulova Marine Star
- Marine Star models use a range of case materials (mostly stainless steel, with some ceramic or gold‑accented options) and come in sizes of 42–45 mm, featuring sporty, often rotating bezels and bold indices. Many models include chronograph layouts, date windows, and luminous hands/markers for legibility in and out of the water.
- Water resistance is a core selling point, with many Marine Star watches rated up to 200 m, supported by screw‑down crowns and case backs for improved sealing. Higher‑end or special edition pieces can even share Bulova’s high‑frequency Precisionist‑family movements while keeping full 200 m dive‑style capability.
Side‑by‑Side Highlights
Aspect | Bulova Lunar Pilot | Bulova Marine Star |
|---|---|---|
Core identity | Space‑inspired chronograph from Bulova Archive, tied to Apollo 15 heritage. | Nautical sports line built for water activities and bold marine styling. |
Movement | NP20 High Precision Quartz, 262 kHz, seconds‑per‑year accuracy. | Quartz and automatic options; some special editions use 262 kHz Precisionist tech. |
Water resistance | Typically 50 m, suitable for daily wear and light splashes. | Commonly 100–200 m, with screw‑down crown/caseback for swimming and diving. |
Case/crystal | 316L steel, ~39–45 mm, sapphire crystal, 20 mm lugs. | Steel or ceramic, ~42–45 mm, often with rotating bezel and sapphire or mineral crystal. |
Design language | Vintage tool‑chrono with tachymeter, NASA‑era aesthetic. | Nautical, sporty, often colorful dials and accents. |
Use case | Everyday/casual watch for enthusiasts, desk‑diving level only. | Everyday and water‑focused watch for swimmers, beach users, and casual divers. |
Which One Is Right for You?
- Choose the Lunar Pilot if you value:
- Space mission history and a direct connection to the Apollo 15 chronograph.
- Extremely accurate, low‑maintenance quartz with a smooth‑sweeping chrono hand and sapphire crystal protection.
- A larger but refined vintage‑tool look that pairs nicely with straps and bracelets for everyday or collector wear.
- Choose the Marine Star if you want:
- A water‑forward sports watch that can comfortably handle 100–200 m of water resistance for swimming, snorkeling, and casual diving.
- Bold, nautical styling with rotating bezels, marine colorways, and options from simple three‑handers to complex chronographs or skeleton dials.
- A versatile all‑rounder that looks at home on the boat, at the beach, or in everyday casual settings.
LUNAR PILOT CHRONOGRAPH
Bulova made space history on August 2, 1971--during the Apollo 15 mission, a moon pilot chronograph, customized for lunar conditions by Bulova engineers, was worn on the moon. We reissued the Lunar Pilot collection, inspired by this original, including a 50th Anniversary Limited Edition.
Bulova Archive Series Lunar Pilot 6-Hand Chronograph High Performance Quartz Stainless Steel, Sapphire Crystal
Bulova made space history on August 2, 1971--during the Apollo 15 mission, a moon pilot chronograph, customized for lunar conditions by Bulova engineers, was worn on the moon. Now Bulova makes history again with the special edition Lunar Pilot Chronograph, updated with our exclusive high-performance quartz movement at 262 kHz for unparalleled accuracy, continuing a history of precision timing.
From the Precisionist Collection. Featuring Bulova’s proprietary Precisionist accuracy, this advanced chronograph offers 1/1,000-second precision over 12 hours, with accuracy within seconds per year. In stainless steel with curved crystal, multiple-layer black carbon fiber, blue, silver and black dial, chronograph measurement of hours, minutes, seconds, 1/10-seconds, 1/100-seconds and 1/1,000-seconds, yellow continuously sweeping second hand, luminous hour and minute hands, luminous markers, tachymeter, calendar, screw-back case, screw-down crown, double-press fold-over clasp with safety lock, and water resistance to 300 meters.
Providing an extraordinary level of timing accuracy, the Bulova Precisionist Chronograph is the only chronograph to combine stopwatch timing to 1/1,000-second with Bulova’s exclusive Precisionist-class torsional resonator movement, proven in laboratory testing to be one of the world’s most accurate.
Easy and logical to read, each style features four subdials to display the cumulative time at a single glance, with individual measurements on the combined 1/10- and 1/100-second counters, the hour and minute dials, a dual-duty floating second hand, and a distinctive 1/1,000-second track with a retrograde indicator.
Precisionist Technology
At the heart of the watch is the Bulova Precisionist-class torsional resonator movement, custom-engineered to provide accuracy to within seconds a year using a three-prong quartz crystal that creates a vibration frequency of 262.144 kHz, the highest of any watch in the world and far greater than that of a standard quartz crystal. In laboratory testing, the Precisionist-class movement has been shown to be three times more accurate than standard quartz. This proprietary manufactured movement, including the signature floating second hand, also offers resistance to gravitational error, making it superior in performance to any mechanical watch on the market.
Summary of Features
- Precision timing to 1/1,000th of a second
- 12-hour chronograph function
- One of the world’s most accurate movements – accurate to within seconds a year
- Precisionist-class torsional resonator movement proven in laboratory testing to be three times more accurate than standard quartz
- Stainless steel case and bracelet
- Curved mineral crystal
- Multiple-layer black carbon fiber, blue and silver dial
- Yellow continuously sweeping second hand
- Luminous hour and minute hands
- Luminous markers
- Calendar window
- Tachymeter
- Screw-back
- Screw-down crown
- Water resistant to 300 meters
Bulova Marine Star Series C Two-Tone Rose Gold Stainless Steel 6-Hand Chronograph Quartz Watch, Blue Dial
From the Marine Star Collection, this six-hand chronograph movement has 200-meter water resistance. In stainless steel with rose gold-tone accents and a blue glass insert on a ratcheted rotating bezel, a blue dial with luminous hands and markers, a calendar feature, a domed mineral crystal, a screw-back case, a fold-over buckle closure, a safety bar, and an extender.
New six-hand chronograph movement with 200-meter water resistance. In stainless steel with rose-gold-tone accents and a blue glass insert on the ratcheted rotating bezel, a blue dial with luminous hands and markers, a calendar feature, a domed mineral crystal, a screw-back case, a stainless steel and rose-gold-tone bracelet with a fold-over buckle closure, a safety bar, and an extender. Diameter: 45mm, Thickness: 15mm
FAQs
Is the Bulova Lunar Pilot suitable for swimming?
The Lunar Pilot’s typical 50 m water resistance makes it acceptable for light splashes and brief exposure. Still, it is not designed as a dedicated swim or dive watch, and regular water use is not recommended.
Can the Marine Star be used for diving?
Many Marine Star models are rated to around 200 m and feature screw‑down crowns and case backs, making them suitable for recreational diving, snorkeling, and frequent swimming.
Which is more accurate: Lunar Pilot or Marine Star?
Lunar Pilot models with the NP20 High Precision Quartz at 262 kHz are among the most accurate quartz watches in Bulova’s lineup, typically outperforming standard quartz movements found in many Marine Star pieces.
Are both watches available as chronographs?
Yes, the Lunar Pilot is always a chronograph, while the Marine Star can be a chronograph, three‑hander, or even a skeletonized model, depending on the specific reference.
Which has better scratch resistance?
Lunar Pilot models use a sapphire crystal, which offers excellent scratch resistance compared to mineral glass. Many modern Marine Star watches also use sapphire, but some versions may still feature mineral crystal, so buyers should check individual model specs.
Final Thoughts
For a buyer who loves watch history, precision quartz tech, and a vintage space‑tool aesthetic, the Bulova Lunar Pilot stands out as a unique piece that punches above its price and offers actual conversation‑starter status. For someone who spends more time around water than reading up on Apollo missions, the Marine Star’s stronger water resistance, nautical styling, and broad reference range make it the more practical “do‑everything” daily sports watch. Order today!
