posted 11-12-2015 01:27 PM               

Bulova to sell replica of astronaut's watch worn on the moon

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."

posted 01-10-2016 09:48 AM               

"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."

posted 03-04-2016 07:57 PM               

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."

posted 06-27-2017 10:23 AM               

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.

posted 04-11-2018 08:00 PM               

Judge finds Apollo astronaut can sue over marketing of replica moon watch

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.

posted 03-07-2020 08:47 AM               

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!

posted 08-02-2021 09:00 AM               

Bulova marks Apollo 15 50th with golden replica of moon-worn watch

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.

posted 02-07-2023 08:00 AM               

Accutron and Bulova debut new Astronaut and Lunar Pilot timepieces

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.

posted 01-23-2024 08:45 AM               

Bulova adds limited edition meteorite dial to Apollo 15-inspired Lunar Pilot watch

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.