This Best-Selling Bulova Watch Is Worth the Hype

Everyone needs a good watch, but there are so many options, choosing one can get overwhelming. It's a great time (pun intended) to consider all of your options and what you’re hoping to get out of your next timepiece.

Of course, you’ll also have to decide on the aesthetics you’re favorable to, whether that be something more classic, vintage, and timeless, or something a bit bolder. Here, we’ve partnered with Bulova to unpack the nearly universally loved Lunar Pilot, which gives you the best of both worlds–impressive style and unmatched functionality.

Below, you’ll learn more about the Lunar Pilot and whether or not we think it’s worth the splurge. Spoiler alert: It definitely is!

A Bit of History

While the Lunar Pilot watch launched this past spring, it was inspired by Bulova’s custom chronograph that was used during the Apollo 15 Mission in 1971 by Commander David Scott, Lunar Module Pilot James Irwin and Command Module Pilot Alfred Worden.

NASA asked Bulova’s engineers to aid in their efforts to ensure everything went as smoothly as possible, which formed a partnership for 46 total missions between the mid-1950s through the 1970s. Bulova’s Accutron technology was then used in all instrument panel clocks and timekeeping mechanisms for years.

As the first Apollo mission was designed to accomplish a longer stay on the moon and see greater surface mobility, it was crucial that these astronauts were equipped with the best technology while in outer space. The watch was customized for astronomical conditions, meaning it could track time precisely to ensure no astronaut ran out of oxygen, water, or battery power in each of their life-support backpacks, and also acted as backups to the on-board timers for reentry into the earth’s atmosphere.

The original Bulova Lunar Pilot Chronograph, which was used on the moon in 1971, was sold at auction for $1.625 million in 2015. But now, Bulova has replicated the exact case size as the original watch that traveled to the moon to appease space enthusiasts and collectors in two new styles.

Bulova Lunar Pilot: What You Need To Know

As an ode to the original lunar watch, Bulova crafted both designs with original elements like the 43mm case size and new dials in blue and white or black. All options are also coupled with either a silver-tone stainless steel bracelet or a leather strap.

It’s clear to us how much thought and precision went into the Lunar Pilot’s design. The Black Dial version features slim chronograph pushers and a crown with the Bulova tuning fork logo. But it didn’t stop there – under a gorgeous, flat sapphire crystal, Bulova also added a six-hand chronograph dial with contrasting white accents on the ring and logo to make it stand out. The Silver-Tone Dial option is much of the same, aside from the white face and stunning blue accents.

And because the watch was created for astronauts who couldn’t afford to make a mistake, Bulova designed the face with slim hands and applied markers for increased legibility. That coupled with Bulova’s high precision quartz movement at 262khz ensures unparalleled accuracy compared to others on the market.

Bulova offers two strap options: a three-link silver-tone stainless steel bracelet and a leather strap in either black or navy. The watch itself boasts an easy release function that makes swapping them out very easy.

This watch can take you from special occasions like a wedding or dressy event to the office, and even be an everyday accent piece to spruce up your look. And if astronauts could rely on it, why couldn’t you?

Bulova’s Lunar Pilot watch stands out in many ways, but one of the most significant is for the price. Other high-end watches can cost upwards of thousands of dollars, whereas this watch is only priced at $895. Bulova is so accurate in its timekeeping and for its price compared to others on the market, you won’t find much that beats it.

Though this watch has only been available for a limited time, plenty of shoppers have left glowing reviews averaging between 4.5 and 5 stars for both models of the Lunar Pilot collection over the last few months. It seems you can’t go wrong between the two since the features are identical aside from the color.

Many commented on its looks, including one person who wrote:

 “When I received it, it just looked beautiful. The finish of this watch is very impressive. The bracelet looks great and feels high quality. This watch is great overall with an awesome story.”

Other reviewers are obsessed and are even opting for it over others in their collection. “Beautiful watch,” one said. “This watch has so much detail, pictures don't do it justice.”

Add the Lunar Pilot from Bulova to your collection for $895 today or pick it up as a very special gift for a loved one. 

Shop the Lunar Pilot Watch and Accessories

Lunar Pilot Archive Series (Navy)

Price: $895 

Lunar Pilot Archive Series (Black)

Price: $895

Lunar Pilot Archive Series

Price: $544, was $725

Lunar Pilot Archive Series

Price: $469, was $625

Lunar Pilot Happy 70th Nile Rodgers

Price: $725

Lunar Pilot Archive Series

Price: $775

Lunar Pilot Travel Clock

Price: $128

Astronaut Accutron (Limited Edition)

Price: $3,500

Prices are accurate and items in stock at time of publishing.