TGR StaffThe only privately-owned Bulova chronograph watch to be worn on the moon, by Apollo 15’s Colonel Dave Scott in 1971, was sold for a record $1.625 million at a recent auction. “This is a historic moment not only for the collector community but for Bulova Corporation as well,” states Gregory Thumm, the company’s president. Originally developed by dedicated Bulova engineers for lunar conditions, Scott’s “moon watch” could—and did—perform flawlessly, withstanding pressures of changing atmospheric conditions, fluctuating temperatures, and gravitational shifts. “It was genius!”
No doubt, it’s a unique piece of history: the watch’s Velcro and cloth strap showed the wear and tear of re-entry; had “residual lunar material”—that’s moon dust—on its face; not to mention Bulova’s legendary engineering that kept precise track of time to keep the space team alive! Still, that historic chronograph is out of reach for ordinary “earth people.”
Until now. Taking inspiration from the original, Bulova’s special edition moon watch chronograph replica is updated with exclusive UHF (Ultra High Frequency) quartz technology for ultimate timekeeping accuracy to seconds a year. Other features include a signature continuous-sweep second hand, super-luminous hands and markers, sapphire glass, tachymeter, and calendar in a 316L stainless steel case, with water resistance to 50 meters.
Two true-to-the-original interchangeable straps—one a textured black leather; the other, a strap with Velcro. Authentically recreated from the prototype, now reimagined for today’s sensibility, the special edition replica is equal parts old-school-cool and modern style on the outside and skilled-engineering savvy on the inside. The Lunar Pilot is slated for a January 2016 introduction, its $550 MSRP doesn’t shoot for the moon.
