Bulova introduces a new iteration of a timepiece with a celebrated history, the Limited Edition Lunar Pilot Timascus. This watch represents a confluence of historical significance, modern material science, and contemporary artistic expression. It builds upon the legacy of its predecessor, a watch that famously journeyed to the lunar surface, by incorporating materials and design elements that are thoroughly grounded in 21st-century craftsmanship and collaboration. The result is a piece that honors its past while forging a distinct and visually compelling identity of its own.
The heritage of the Bulova Lunar Pilot is intrinsically linked to the golden age of space exploration. During the Apollo 15 mission in 1971, mission commander David Scott wore his personal Bulova chronograph on an extravehicular activity (EVA) on the Moon's surface after the crystal on his standard-issue Omega Speedmaster had popped off. This event cemented Bulova’s place in the annals of space history, creating an authentic and compelling narrative that resonates with enthusiasts of both horology and astronautics. The original watch was a tool, relied upon in the harsh, unforgiving environment of space, and this legacy of performance and reliability is the foundation upon which the modern Lunar Pilot collection is built.
Courtesy of Bulova
The story of the original Bulova chronograph's journey to the moon provides a unique backstory that few watch brands can claim. It wasn't a planned marketing coup or a formal arrangement; it was a matter of circumstance and necessity. Commander Scott's Bulova performed flawlessly, serving as a critical backup and proving its mettle under the most extreme conditions imaginable. This history infuses the Lunar Pilot line with a tangible connection to human achievement and exploration, making it more than a simple re-issue but a continuation of a story that began nearly 300,000 miles from Earth.
The modern Lunar Pilot collection has since become a cornerstone for Bulova, celebrated for offering the distinctive aesthetics of the original space watch, updated for contemporary tastes and powered by the brand's proprietary high-precision quartz technology. These watches have allowed a wide audience to own a piece of that history, blending vintage-inspired design with modern reliability and accuracy. This new Limited Edition model, the Timascus, continues this tradition but takes a bold step in a new artistic direction, ensuring the Lunar Pilot story continues to evolve.
The latest chapter for this storied timepiece, the Ref. 98A329, is defined by its collaboration with the famed Brazilian visual artist, Thiago Rosinhole. Known for his vibrant work that fuses street art aesthetics with pop culture iconography, Rosinhole brings a completely fresh perspective to the Lunar Pilot. This partnership moves beyond a simple logo placement, deeply integrating the artist's creative vision into the watch itself and its presentation. This collaboration is particularly significant as it coincides with Bulova’s 150th Anniversary, marking the occasion with a truly unique and forward-looking release.
Thiago Rosinhole is best known for his "Budii" character, a whimsical figure that embodies themes of exploration and curiosity. For this project, Rosinhole re-imagines Budii as an astronaut, a fitting tribute to the watch's celestial heritage. His influence is felt throughout the entire package, from the watch's case back to the bespoke packaging and collectible figurine. This artistic overlay adds a layer of contemporary culture to the historical and technical narrative of the Lunar Pilot, creating a product that appeals to watch collectors, art enthusiasts, and pop culture fans alike.
Courtesy of Bulova
The most defining feature of this new edition is its dial, crafted from a material known as Timascus. This exotic material is a titanium-based laminate, created by layering different titanium alloys and then forging them together in a process analogous to the creation of historical Damascus steel. The metal is twisted and folded, and then heat-treated or acid-etched, which causes the different alloys to oxidize at different rates, revealing a stunning and organic wood-grain pattern. Each dial produced through this method is inherently unique, meaning no two watches in this limited edition will be exactly alike.
Visually, the dial is an arresting spectacle of color and texture. Waves of deep blue, muted bronze, and shimmering silver flow across its surface, creating a dynamic pattern that seems to shift and change with the light. This captivating design is meant to evoke cosmic phenomena, like the swirling gases of a distant nebula or the layered strata of an alien landscape. It is a bold departure from the traditional matte black dial of the original Lunar Pilot, transforming the watch from a utilitarian instrument into a wearable piece of art. The intricate, flowing lines of the Timascus ensure that the dial is the undisputed focal point of the timepiece.
Despite the expressive nature of the dial, functionality remains paramount. The chronograph layout is clear and legible, featuring three silver-toned sub-dials. These registers, positioned at 3, 6, and 9 o'clock, track the 1/20th of a second, running seconds, and a 60-minute counter, respectively. The contrast between the bright silver of the sub-dials and the deep, complex colors of the Timascus background ensures that readings can be taken at a glance. The design maintains the instrumental feel of a pilot's chronograph while integrating the highly decorative dial material.
The handset and markers are designed for maximum visibility. The primary hands are broad and faceted, filled with Super-Luminova for excellent low-light performance. The applied hour markers are similarly treated, ensuring the time is legible in all conditions. Surrounding the dial is a fixed tachymeter scale, rendered on a deep blue ring that harmonizes perfectly with the blue tones in the Timascus dial and the blue chronograph pushers. This scale allows the user to compute speed based on travel time, a classic feature of racing and aviation chronographs that pays homage to the model’s performance-oriented roots.
Courtesy of Bulova
The watch is housed in a robust, 43.5mm silver-tone stainless steel case. The design retains the signature asymmetrical, tonneau-like shape of the Lunar Pilot family, a design dictated by the oversized pushers of the original. The surfaces are finely brushed, with polished chamfers along the edges of the lugs that add a touch of refinement. The case dimensions give the watch a substantial and modern presence on the wrist, befitting its tool-watch heritage.
Adding a vibrant splash of color to the case are the slim chronograph pushers, which are finished in a bright blue that complements the tachymeter ring and the dial. This detail provides a pleasing visual accent and serves as a tactile guide for operating the chronograph functions. Between the pushers sits the crown, appropriately signed with the Bulova tuning fork logo, a symbol of the brand's pioneering work in electronic timekeeping. The combination of brushed steel, polished accents, and targeted color makes for a visually balanced and engaging case design.
Turning the watch over reveals a solid screw-back case, a feature that contributes to its 50 meters of water resistance. The case back is a canvas for commemorative engravings. Prominently featured is an embossed depiction of Thiago Rosinhole’s Budii character dressed as an astronaut, planting a tuning-fork flag on a lunar-like surface. The case back also includes inscriptions detailing its limited-edition status, with each piece individually numbered out of 5,500. It proudly displays the Bulova 150th Anniversary logo and a nod to the historic Apollo 15 mission: "EVA-3 AUG 2. 1971".
At the core of the Lunar Pilot Timascus beats Bulova's proprietary NP20 High-Precision Quartz (HPQ) movement. This advanced caliber is the modern technological heart of the watch, offering a level of accuracy that far surpasses standard quartz movements. It is a direct descendant of Bulova’s groundbreaking Accutron technology, continuing the brand’s legacy of innovation in electronic timekeeping.
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The key to the movement's exceptional performance is its unique three-pronged quartz crystal, which vibrates at a frequency of 262,144 Hertz (262 kHz). This is eight times higher than the 32,768 Hz frequency of a standard quartz crystal. This significantly higher frequency results in much greater stability and resistance to temperature fluctuations, allowing the movement to achieve a remarkable accuracy of just a few seconds per year, rather than the 15-20 seconds per month typical of standard quartz watches.
One of the most appreciated features of the 262 kHz movement is its effect on the chronograph function. When the chronograph is activated, the central seconds hand does not tick once per second like a typical quartz watch. Instead, it moves with a smooth, continuous sweep, gliding around the dial at 16 beats per second. This fluid motion emulates the sweep of a mechanical chronograph, providing a more satisfying and visually refined user experience that is highly sought after by watch enthusiasts.
Protecting the intricate dial is a flat, anti-reflective sapphire crystal. Sapphire is the industry standard for high-quality timepieces due to its extreme hardness and scratch resistance, second only to diamond. The application of an anti-reflective coating on the crystal is a crucial detail, as it minimizes glare and reflections. This ensures that the captivating pattern of the Timascus dial can be viewed with maximum clarity from any angle, without distracting light distortions.
The watch is secured to the wrist with a matching three-link stainless steel bracelet. The bracelet features the same fine brushing as the case, creating a seamless and integrated look. The solid links and robust construction give it a feeling of quality and durability. It fastens with a deployant clasp equipped with a push-button release mechanism, ensuring the watch remains secure on the wrist while being easy to put on and take off. The 20mm lug width also allows for easy strap changes for those who wish to customize the look.
Courtesy of Bulova
The presentation of the Bulova Lunar Pilot Timascus is a significant part of its appeal and underscores the special nature of this limited edition. The watch comes in a custom-designed box set that reflects Thiago Rosinhole's artistic style. Included in the set is a storybook detailing the collaboration and the history of the Lunar Pilot. The centerpiece of the package, alongside the watch itself, is a collectible 6-inch Budii figurine, designed exclusively for this release by Rosinhole and featuring his signature. This comprehensive package elevates the unboxing from a simple transaction to a memorable experience for the collector.
Priced at $1,650.00, the Bulova Lunar Pilot Timascus Limited Edition is available worldwide, with a production run strictly limited to 5,500 pieces. Given the unique Timascus dial, the collaboration with a celebrated contemporary artist, and the complete collector's package, this timepiece offers a compelling blend of art, history, and technology. It represents a bold and creative evolution for one of Bulova's most iconic models, sure to be a sought-after piece for collectors and enthusiasts who appreciate a watch with a powerful story and a distinctive visual identity.
Case: 43.5mm two-tone stainless steel case with screw-back design. 20mm lug width. Anti-reflective sapphire crystal. Water resistant to 50 meters.
Movement: Bulova NP20 proprietary High-Precision Quartz (HPQ). Features a 262 kHz vibrational frequency for enhanced accuracy. 6-hand chronograph with 1/20th second timing and a sweeping central chronograph hand.
Dial: Blue Timascus dial with unique patterns from folded titanium. Silver-accented sub-dials. Luminous hands and markers. Blue tachymeter ring.
Strap: Silver-tone stainless steel 3-link bracelet with a deployant clasp and push buttons.
Price: $1,650.00
Reference Number: 98A329
Notes: Limited to 5,500 pieces worldwide. A 150th Anniversary collaboration with artist Thiago Rosinhole, featuring his "Budii" character on the case back. Includes special packaging with a storybook and a 6-inch Budii figurine.