Bulova Adds “Blood Moon” Lunar Pilot Watch to Archive Series

With summer upon us, all eyes are on sporty watches that can go the distance with our active lifestyles – even if those active lifestyles don’t include landing on the moon. Bulova, an iconic American brand, has a rich history of aviation and space travel, and this year ups its game with the introduction of the new Lunar Pilot watch – part of the brand’s Archive series.

The Blood Moon Lunar Pilot watch, referencing the color the moon seems to take on during a total lunar eclipse, is a tribute to the brand’s significant association with NASA and the U.S. space program. Continuing to enrich the Archive Series franchise (which has many a great timepiece revival in it, including the brigh orange Devil Diver (a personal favorite)), Bulova’s “Blood Moon” watch also recalls the original watch that accompanied astronauts to the moon.

On August 2nd, 1971, during the Apollo 15 mission, the seventh man to walk on the moon and the first to drive the Lunar Rover wore a Bulova chronograph watch. Designed specifically for the harsh conditions of space, the Lunar Pilot watch was crucial for tracking time, ensuring astronauts did not exhaust their oxygen, water, or battery power. Additionally, it served as a backup timer for the critical reentry into Earth’s atmosphere. The watch performed impeccably, enduring the pressures of atmospheric changes, temperature fluctuations, and gravitational shifts. In 2021, Bulova celebrated the 50th anniversary of this mission, reigniting interest in the Lunar Pilot collection.

Bulova’s new Lunar Pilot Blood Moon watch mirrors the celestial eclipse with its vibrant red dial, accented by silver-white chronograph sub-dials. This 43.5mm timepiece features a stainless steel case and a matching multi-link bracelet, exuding a sporty yet sophisticated aesthetic. It is also sold with a totally interchangeable black NATO strap.

Powered by Bulova’s proprietary NP20 High Precision Quartz (HPQ) chronograph movement, accurate to 1/20th second, this watch is a must-have for collectors and space enthusiasts. The watch also boasts a flat sapphire crystal, a silver-white tachymeter scale on the outer dial perimeter, super luminous hands and markers, and 50 meters of  water resistance thanks to a screw-down case back. Priced at $895, the watch comes in special packaging complete with a storybook.

“The Lunar Pilot is one of Bulova’s most historically significant watch designs and has seen tremendous success since its release,” says Jeffrey Cohen, President of Citizen Watch America. “We will continue to expand this collection with special colors and materials to offer new variety to our customers.”