LUNAR PILOT. Not an alternative, but a competitor! 43.5 mm changed the conversation. IMO.
Like a lot of people I was obsessed with the Omega Speed Master. A fantastic watch, some would say even the “perfect” watch. This was until I discovered the Bulova “Lunar Pilot”. The accuracy of the watch, the big pushers, subtleties of the dial, this watch looked like it was designed for someone heading to space. Heck, I even liked the story surrounding the watch more, with Dave Scott grabbing it last minute because his Omega broke (even though this story sounds waaaay to convenient)..the watch just looked like something a Lunar Pilot would wear. However, the size. 45mm! Uhg too big. So I quietly brushed the beloved Bulova to the side. Until the NEW 43.5 mm arrived last year, my curiousity was once again peaked! But, I still had that nagging voice in the back of my head…it is still too big. Well, I went to the Citizen store to see what they had, and low and behold, there in the case was the new 43.5 Lunar Pilot, in all of its glory and in both variants! Surprisingly, they did not look as big or bulky as they appeared online or even in my head..I was hopeful. Tried them on and elation came over me! It fit! I have a 7 inch wrist and was pleasantly surprised on how well it felt and appeared on my wrist. The AD even put it on the strap so I can see what that was like as well (they can’t adjust bracelets, until after purchase). The watch is really well made, and looks even better in person. I quickly texted my wife to come to the store and check this out! I would have purchased on the spot, but my wife just gifted me the Bulova “jet star”..so I didn’t want to push my luck. It was on sale too..25% off and he was going to give me an additional 10%. If you know how the citizen store works they rotate the sales weekly, 25%, 40%, and 65% off, depending what corporate sends down to the stores. But, I gave the dealer my info and he said he will call me when it goes on sale. I am hoping before my birthday in April. (It really pays to wait for a sale). So hopefully, I will be wrist shooting this soon on here! But yes, I just think this design is a bit more exciting than the “speedy”.
Husband, Dad, PSU Alumni, life adventurer, Marvel fan, debt free community, watch enthusiast!
This one has been on my list for a long time. And now with the 43.5mm variant even more so. Just waiting for the right time
Dropping the date window and going "back" to the original size certainly improves the watch IMO.
I have this smaller, no date version. Fantastic watch in all respects.
Is an amazing watch #bulova
Fingers crossed for you. Similar affinity to the speed master myself and always loved the lunar pilot. Whilst in my local retail center last week with the wife over lunch we discussed what my next watch would be. Without a thought I said "I'll show you" To my surprise she bought it me on the spot. .
I'm a big fan of the 43mm Lunar Pilot. I have previously owned the 45mm version and even as the blacked out, PVD version, I didn't feel right. And I have a decent sized wrist!
I wear mine on a NASA style velcro from Luna Replicas.
https://www.watchcrunch.com/complication/posts/luna-replicas-strap-on-43mm-bulova-lunar-pilot-209030
Very nice, congratulations! (But yes, I just think this design is a bit more exciting than the “speedy”.) -> Don't overdo it either 😂😅🧐
Great story! My favorite part is that you texted your wife. Did she really drop everything to meet you at the store? Nice…
It’s cool but IMO still too big. I’m selling my 45mm Lunar Pilot.
Wearing mine to work right now on a leather strap!
I wish I had a citizen store near me 😢
Gorgeus
This watch plus the experience at the AD? Sold... 😁
It’s cool but IMO still too big. I’m selling my 45mm Lunar Pilot.
If they can get this down to 40mm they’d be printing money
I saw first hand at this weekend’s meetup that there is room for both the Speedy and LP in serious watch collections. I still wish the LP would come in a closer to 40mm size for us smaller wristed folks, though I understand that would reduce the effectiveness of the watch being used to time events.
Fingers crossed for you. Similar affinity to the speed master myself and always loved the lunar pilot. Whilst in my local retail center last week with the wife over lunch we discussed what my next watch would be. Without a thought I said "I'll show you" To my surprise she bought it me on the spot. .
That’s awesome! Looks good on your wrist too!
I want a Bulova lunar pilot- I personally like Bulova. The Jet Star released last year is a stunner!
My wife bought me the jet star for Valentine’s Day! It wears well! I love that watch too.
Very nice, congratulations! (But yes, I just think this design is a bit more exciting than the “speedy”.) -> Don't overdo it either 😂😅🧐
Lol! 😂 if I convince myself…then my will will be convinced to buy it for my birthday!
That thing is too pricey. A simple quartz Chrono with meager 50m water resistance. No thanks!
It’s actually a high frequency quartz..which in this instance really doesn’t bother me.
I've never been obsessed with the Speedmaster but I did went through a chronograph period and the Lunar Pilot managed to catch my attention for a while.
Until I realized that it had as much of a connection to the Universal Genève prototype that conveniently found its way into an astronaut back pocket as much as I have a connection with a candelabra. What was left for me was a watch which was too large to wear.
The second edition kind of rekindled my interest until I saw what Bulova did, or more exactly didn't do. They didn't create a smaller Lunar Pilot but instead they shaved a few corners to reduce the size of the case, which left a huge dial sticking out and feeling out of place.
It could have been worse, but not because of a lack of efforts from Bulova part. It's still a very good chronograph due to the excellent movement, but it's not the watch that I wanted.
Isn’t the 43mm the size of the Dave Scott original?
Beautiful watch, I'll wait until they make a sub 41mm version though 😅
If it was 41mm it would be on my wrist right now! It was a no go for me too, until I tried it on.
It’s actually a high frequency quartz..which in this instance really doesn’t bother me.
I know. I own a Precisionist,with which I can measure 1/1000s but I'm sure I didn't pay $500+ for. And it's a far better looking watch than the above hyped one. But to each it's own! 😉
Wore mine to work today. It is a great watch in it's own right. I highly recommend everyone to give the new 43mm versions a try.
Beautiful!
It’s an absouloutely great watch. I wear it on the blue strap.. doesn’t even feel like a 43..
Love this!
That thing is too pricey. A simple quartz Chrono with meager 50m water resistance. No thanks!
It's a bit more than a 'simple' quartz. It's actually a 3-pronged crystal with a frequency of 262 kHz (8 times greater than standard quartz), meaning an accuracy of seconds a year.
No offence, but your comment is a great example of how people write this one off without really understanding what it is/what's inside the case. It's a great watch, quartz or not.
Isn’t the 43mm the size of the Dave Scott original?
Maybe or even a bit less because the auction listing of the Universal Genève prototype which Bulova rebranded and tried to pander to NASA describe it as 42mm in diameter.
I definitely get the space race vibes from this #bulova
Own the PVD version. No date on NASA strap. https://www.watchcrunch.com/xaguilax/posts/bulova-lunar-pilot-pvd-edition-no-date-38889
Scotts story checks out. EVERY YEAR NASA made a log of the watches it issued and sent to OMEGA for service/repair. It's not secret. From the first space walk the Omega SM crystal also popped out and you can find all this on records. Cheers.
I wish I had a citizen store near me 😢
It’s great! I have two near me. They don’t get the new ones right away, usually within 6 months, but they always have rotating “sales” 25% off, 40% off, and 65% off. I landed a couple good bulovas for a great price. The lunar pilot was on 25% off sale…the AD was going to kick in another 10%…so it would of cost me about $640 after tax out the door. Knowing they rotate the sales the AD is keeping me posted (they do the sales every Tuesday). So I am trying to hold out until it rotates into the 65% off! 😂
Own the PVD version. No date on NASA strap. https://www.watchcrunch.com/xaguilax/posts/bulova-lunar-pilot-pvd-edition-no-date-38889
Scotts story checks out. EVERY YEAR NASA made a log of the watches it issued and sent to OMEGA for service/repair. It's not secret. From the first space walk the Omega SM crystal also popped out and you can find all this on records. Cheers.
Thank you for the info! This makes me want the watch even more now. I am glad they keep records of the stuff. It really is helpful.