A new replica of the only privately-owned wristwatch worn on the moon's surface will soon go on sale for much less than the astronomical price tag that the historic timepiece sold for at a recent auction.
Bulova, the American watchmaker that made the unofficial — and by some accounts, "unauthorized" — backup watch that Apollo 15 commander David Scott wore on the third of his three moonwalks in 1971, has announced it will begin selling a modern edition of the astronaut's chronograph in January 2016.
"This is a historic moment," Gregory Thumm, president of Bulova, said, "not only for the collector community, but for Bulova Corporation as well."
Rick Mulheirn Member
Posts: 4558 From: England Registered: Feb 2001
posted 11-13-2015 04:39 PM
When I read the initial post I thought..."That's interesting." Having seen images of the replica however that interest faded. Too many disparities from the original in my opinion to be considered a replica. "In the style of..." might be a better description.
posted 01-10-2016 08:34 AM
I'm puzzled. According to The Illustrated Directory of Watches, Dave Scott wore a Waltham three-dial chronograph after his Omega Speedmaster was damaged?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 51736 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 01-10-2016 09:48 AM
The above article, this article and this thread explain that Scott was mistaken when he identified the watch's make as Waltham.
"In 1996, 25 years after the mission, I was queried about a backup watch. At that time, I slightly recalled that it was a Waltham. However, in 2014, after further researching the issue for an article on watches, I concluded that frankly, back in 1996, I just made a mistake – it was a Bulova, not a Waltham," Scott explained.
"Knowing what watch I wore was not a priority during [the] mission discussions, especially in light of the complexity of our flight to the moon. I hadn't fully researched many of the ancillary parts of the mission," he added. "More things [came] into focus in 2014 as more people were beginning to research Apollo in more depth."
MOL Member
Posts: 187 From: Los Angeles, CA Registered: Oct 2004
posted 03-04-2016 07:57 PM
I just purchased today the Bulova Dave Scott Chrono replica here in Los Angeles. I believe I have the first one sold in the U.S., or at least sold in L.A. - it literally came off the truck today!
It is really nicely done. As far as comparing it to a Speedmaster — of course the price is much less — it is Quartz, battery operated, and the case thickness is much thicker than a Speedmaster.
It comes with a special booklet telling the story of Dave Scott's watch and the back of the watch has a nice inscription about its use during Apollo 15. Note that the watch itself is not individually numbered, but this model is being described as "limited edition."
Philip Member
Posts: 6244 From: Brussels, Belgium Registered: Jan 2001
posted 05-14-2016 01:19 PM
Short review:
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 51736 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 06-27-2017 10:23 AM
Bulova has updated and released a new version of its Special Edition Moon Watch Chronograph, now referred to as Bulova Moon Watch Chronograph. From A Blog to Watch:
The Chronograph 98A186 is IP (ion-plated) black steel, with a meaner, darker look and similar finishing. The black color compliments the look of the dial and overall design very well. It also helps visually reduce the mass of the 45mm wide case.
One interesting aesthetic update is the use of the more vintage-style Bulova logo on the dial. This replaces the contemporary Bulova logo...
Inside the Bulova Moon Watch Chronograph 98A186 is a Bulova high precision 262Hz quartz chronograph movement. Perhaps the final design change you will see on the dial is the removal of the date window.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 51736 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
If an astronaut wears a wristwatch on the surface of the moon, does the watchmaker then have the right to use the moonwalker's name and likeness to market a replica of the lunar-landed timepiece?
That is the question behind a lawsuit filed by David Scott, the seventh person to walk on the moon, against Bulova and Kay Jewelers. Bulova produced and Kay subsequently sold a watch based on the Bulova-made chronograph that Scott wore during NASA's Apollo 15 mission in 1971.
thisismills Member
Posts: 521 From: Michigan Registered: Mar 2012
posted 04-13-2018 09:31 AM
Any mention of possible organization(s) for proceed donation, in the event of a positive verdict?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 51736 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 04-13-2018 01:37 PM
The only public acknowledgement of the lawsuit, at least to my knowledge, has been the court filings, which by their nature would not address the disposition of any financial award or settlement.
CMD_OVRD Member
Posts: 74 From: Dallas, TX Registered: Jul 2009
posted 03-07-2020 08:47 AM
I've really enjoyed wearing the Bulova watch over the last couple of years, but the updated font and the date window just didn't look correct to me.
I had seen a dial modification done on several sites using the "Lunar Pilot" version, which had a dial design more representative of the original. After some research, I ordered the parts from Bulova and had my watchmaker take on the job.
The results turned out great and I think the watch looks much more like the original now. If I only could've figured out a way to change Tachymeter!
Philip Member
Posts: 6244 From: Brussels, Belgium Registered: Jan 2001
posted 03-08-2020 05:53 AM
Nice idea and great stuff!
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 51736 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
Fifty years to the day after its chronograph became the first and only "unauthorized timepiece" to be worn by an astronaut on the surface of the moon, Bulova is launching a golden replica of its infamous watch.
Bulova's 50th Anniversary Lunar Pilot is styled after the prototype chronograph that Apollo 15 commander David Scott secretly flew and wore for his third and final moonwalk on Aug. 2, 1971.
MartinAir Member
Posts: 338 From: Registered: Oct 2020
posted 08-02-2021 04:45 PM
It's great that Bulova made an edition to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 15 mission, BUT I think most of us have hoped for and expected a 42mm replica of Dave Scott's moonwatch. Never say never, hope they will produce one in the (near) future...
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 51736 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
Bulova is also continuing to build upon its "Archive" series with two new models of the Lunar Pilot, a chronograph based on the prototype it secretly flew to the moon on Apollo 15. The watch became only the second brand to be worn on the lunar surface, after the crystal on David Scott's NASA-issued Omega Speedmaster was lost during a prior outing.
The authentic Apollo 15-flown Bulova chronograph sold for $1.6 million at a 2015 auction, which led to the company producing new models. The latest "Lunar Pilot" watches, which cost $895 each, are the first to replicate the exact size (43.5mm) of the moon-flown watch and come in two colors — one with a two-tone blue and white dial and the other in classic black, representing the original.
MartinAir Member
Posts: 338 From: Registered: Oct 2020
posted 02-09-2023 12:11 PM
What about that substantial price increase for Lunar Pilot? Temporary?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 51736 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
How do you enhance the connection that a watch shares with outer space beyond just evoking its history of having been flown to the moon? You replicate the look of the original, but replace its dial with a space rock.
Bulova is celebrating its long history with NASA and the U.S. space program by releasing its new Meteorite Lunar Pilot timepiece. The $1,495 limited edition wristwatch, part of Bulova's growing Archive Series, is the latest reproduction of a prototype chronograph that was secretly flown to the moon.