Bulova Celebrates 50th Anniversary Since its Watch Flew to the Moon

On October 22, 2015, the unique Bulova model astronaut David Scott wore when he set foot on the lunar surface was sold at the RR Auction for USD 1.3 million (or USD 1.625 million including the auction house's commission). Omega may be more frequently associated with the memory of NASA's historic moon missions, yet Bulova has an equally fascinating history with the US space program.

While Omega was busy preparing watches to be worn on astronauts' wrists, Bulova was focusing on equipment, and not just watches. Bulova has supplied more than 2000 instruments to meet the space agency's needs, collaborating in 46 NASA space missions from the mid-1950s to the 1970s. And Bulova's wristwatches have also been to space.

One of sixteen prototypes produced to compete for the contract won by Omega landed on the Moon. Omega was one of the official suppliers for the Apollo 15 mission commanded by Scott, but the astronaut noticed the hesalite glass on the Swiss watch had popped off when the crew landed on the Moon.

That's why Scott took the watch Bulova had given him before the flight when he went out on the third moonwalk. General Omar Bradley happened to be Chairman of the Board for the Bulova Watch Company at the time after leaving active military service, who couldn't accept NASA's unpatriotic choice.

It was under his leadership that Bulova was kept especially busy working to supply equipment for the military-industrial complex. The brand’s line included on-board electronics, navigation equipment, missile guidance systems, photographic equipment and other devices.

On August 2, 1971, Bulova made it into outer space. While the Omega timepieces were part of NASA's official equipment, the Bulova watch was Scott's own personal possession. This is what has led to the model's auction price soaring four decades on, from its initial USD 475,000 to 1.3 million.

It was during the Apollo 15 crew's third lunar walk lasting 4 hours 49 minutes and 50 seconds that a photo of Scott holding the American flag was taken. The designers at Bulova have decided to put this image on the caseback of the new 50th Anniversary Lunar Pilot Limited Edition model. The release celebrating the 50th anniversary has been limited to 5000 pieces.

The watch is presented in a matte titanium case (gray like the lunar surface) with gold-toned details. The 45 mm case houses a quartz Bulova movement running at a frequency of 262 kHz (eight times faster than the standard), keeping with the tradition of the Accutron watches that appeared in the early 1960s with a frequency of 360 Hz.

Accutron technology was incorporated in equipment for the space program, making it possible to guarantee maximum accuracy. For example, an Accutron timing device in the American Telstar Satellite ensured its beacon transmitter would be turned off exactly 17,730 hours after launching on July 10, 1962.