Bulova Lunar Pilot Black Hole Chronograph 41.2mm Limited Edition 6,000 pieces | Ref. 98A335

On 2 August 1971 commander David Scott stepped onto the Moon for the third extravehicular activity of Apollo 15 wearing a Bulova chronograph: the crystal of his issued watch had come off, and in its place went the only privately owned watch ever to walk on the lunar surface. The Lunar Pilot descends from that piece, and this Black Hole is its most extreme version — 6,000 pieces worldwide, the first Lunar Pilot in 41mm, and a presentation set that also holds a desk clock.

The blackest dial: Musou paint, 99.4% of light absorbed

The name is not a poetic image. The dial is finished in Musou paint, which absorbs 99.4% of the light that hits it: you do not see a dark surface, you see an absence — no reflection, no apparent depth. That is where Black Hole comes from. Floating on that black are a gun metal-tone tachymeter scale, slim applied markers and a matching handset with grey Super-LumiNova for low-light reading. The three sub-dials are recessed, with a circular grooved finish: 1/20 second at 3 o'clock, running seconds at 6 o'clock and the 60-minute chronograph counter at 9 o'clock.

Matte black ion-plated steel, with a bright polished bezel

The case is stainless steel, 41.2mm, with black ion plating and a matte finish; the bezel is bright polished, like the chronograph pushers, and the contrast between matte and polish is the only relief on the whole watch. Until now the Lunar Pilot existed only in 43 and 45mm: 41.2mm is the size that makes it an everyday watch. The crystal is flat sapphire, the screw-down case back is engraved with an astronaut, and water resistance is 10 bar, that is 100 metres.

High-precision quartz movement, five seconds a month

The calibre is the Bulova NP20, a 262 kHz high-precision quartz: eight times the frequency of ordinary quartz, six hands, a chronograph running to twelve hours reading to 1/20 of a second, and a stated accuracy of ±5 seconds a month. The seconds hand sweeps rather than ticks, as on every high-frequency Bulova chronograph.

Three-link bracelet, in black steel

The bracelet is three-link stainless steel with the same black ion plating as the case, 20mm at the lug, closed by a double push-button deployant clasp. The watch weighs about 167 grams with the bracelet fitted.

In the set: a matching desk clock and a travel case

The Black Hole set is black, with the Bulova logo and the words The Black Hole printed inside the lid above the image of a black hole. Inside, besides the watch, there are a matching Bulova desk clock — same black square case, same dial — and a travel case in black leather to take it away with you. It is a collector's set, not a service box.

Technical specifications

• Reference: 98A335
• Edition: limited, 6,000 pieces worldwide
• Collection: Archive Series · Lunar Pilot
• Movement: Bulova NP20, 262 kHz high-precision quartz
• Functions: hours, minutes, small seconds, chronograph to 12 hours with 1/20 second
• Accuracy: ±5 seconds a month
• Case: stainless steel with matte black ion plating, bright polished bezel, Ø 41.2mm
• Dial: Musou paint, absorbs 99.4% of light; applied markers, grey Super-LumiNova
• Scale: gun metal-tone tachymeter
• Crystal: flat sapphire
• Case back: screw-down, engraved with the astronaut
• Water resistance: 10 bar (100 metres)
• Bracelet: three-link black steel, 20mm lug, double push-button deployant clasp
• Included: matching Bulova desk clock
• Included: travel case
• Packaging: dedicated Black Hole presentation set
• Warranty: 2 years official Bulova

Frequently asked questions

Cicala Gioiellerie is an authorised Bulova retailer. The watch is new and never worn, delivered with its complete presentation set and the official 2-year warranty filled in by us, with a receipt or invoice. Insured shipping, free of charge.