When it comes to timekeeping associated with space it’s often Omega’s Speedmaster that takes the limelight as the first to make it to the moon. However many other Swiss watchmakers have their own rich history in this arena, from the Heuer stopwatch worn by John Glenn when he became the first American to orbit the planet on 20 February 1962, to the Breitling Navitimer that accompanied Scott Carpenter as he followed in his footsteps three months later.

It’s little surprise that Bulova also got in on the action, a company renowned for its innovative and high-precision timepieces. Nasa contacted the watchmaker in the 1950s, partnering up until the 1970s, where it made use of Bulova’s revolutionary tuning fork movement for watches, instrumental panel clocks and timekeeping mechanisms across 46 space missions. Among the most important was Apollo 15, which saw the mission commander make history as the seventh man to walk on the moon and the first to drive the Lunar Rover, all while wearing a Bulova chronograph.

These hard-wearing watches were specially designed for these extreme conditions, and an essential piece of equipment to track time and ensure no one ran out of oxygen, water or battery power. They also acted as a backup for the on-board timers for the critical re-entry into the Earth’s atmosphere. Creating these high-performing timepieces was no mean feat, as they needed to withstand pressures of changing atmospheric conditions, fluctuating temperatures and gravitational shifts.

Although the tuning fork movement was soon superseded by even-more-accurate quartz, the brand is celebrating this important watch with the release of the 50th Anniversary Lunar Pilot Limited Edition timepiece that takes inspiration from its vintage look. Along with its aged, patina-style aesthetic, it mirrors the original dial layout and heritage Bulova logo. This has been updated with a 45mm grade-5 titanium case and eye-catching gold-tone accents and pushers, set on a grey leather Nato strap. Completing the commemorative model, equipped with a high-performance quartz movement, is the special caseback engraved with a motif paying tribute to its out-of-this-world origins.

bulova.com