Bulova collectors spent almost a decade asking for one thing: a smaller Lunar Pilot. The original reissue wore at 43.5mm, a size that fought against smaller and average wrists alike. With the Bulova Lunar Pilot Black Hole 98A335, Bulova finally answered — and did it by wrapping the request inside the darkest, most dramatic watch the collection has ever produced.

At Lexor Miami, an authorized Bulova dealer with more than 20 years in the Miami luxury watch trade and over 3,400 five-star Google reviews, this limited edition is available now at manufacturer pricing, backed by a full authenticity guarantee and Bulova's official global warranty.

The Bulova Story Behind the Lunar Pilot

Founded in New York City in 1875 by Joseph Bulova, Bulova built its name on precision manufacturing at a time when most American watchmaking still leaned on imported components. The brand became a pioneer of radio and television advertising, standardized production, and — decades later — one of the most important names in the history of quartz timekeeping.

What most watch buyers don't know is that Bulova has a genuine, verified place in space history. On August 2, 1971, Apollo 15 Commander David R. Scott stepped out for his third and final moonwalk on the lunar surface. His NASA-issued chronograph had already lost its crystal during an earlier excursion, so Scott reached for his own personal backup timepiece — a Bulova chronograph he had packed himself, not part of the official NASA manifest. He used it to track oxygen, water, and battery levels during the Lunar Roving Vehicle excursions, and even to time re-entry parameters on the return to Earth.

For years, the official mission record acknowledged that a second watch existed without naming the brand — NASA had withheld it to avoid the appearance of commercial endorsement. The Bulova name only became part of the public record decades later. That original Scott watch went on to sell for $1.625 million at RR Auction's Space & Aviation sale in October 2015, one of the highest prices ever paid for a watch with a documented lunar history.

The modern Bulova Lunar Pilot collection, reintroduced in 2016, recreates the spirit of that watch for collectors. The Black Hole limited edition takes the name a step further: in astrophysics, a black hole is defined by information that cannot escape once it crosses the event horizon — a fitting metaphor for a story that stayed hidden in congressional records for years before finally being told.

Key Features of the Bulova Lunar Pilot Black Hole 98A335

Full Specifications

Design, Materials, and Technology

A Dial Built to Disappear

The defining feature of the 98A335 is its use of Musou Black paint — a coating originally developed for stealth and fine-art applications, capable of absorbing 99.4% of visible light. On the dial, this creates a surface that photographs less like a color and more like an absence of one. Bulova balances this void with grey Super-LumiNova on the applied markers and hands, keeping the watch fully legible without breaking the monochrome effect.

A Case Finished for Contrast, Not Flatness

Rather than a single matte block of black, the case mixes a sandblasted PVD finish on the main surfaces with a bright polished bezel, crown, and pushers. The result reads as intentional and layered in person, a detail multiple watch outlets highlighted as the most cohesive execution of an all-black case Bulova has released under the Lunar Pilot name.

Bulova's Proprietary High-Frequency Quartz

Inside is the NP20 High Precision Quartz movement, running at 262kHz — around eight times the frequency of a standard quartz crystal. That higher frequency is what allows the chronograph seconds hand to sweep smoothly instead of ticking once per second, and it's the same core technology Bulova has used across the modern Lunar Pilot line since 2016. Rated accuracy sits in the range of 10 seconds per year, well beyond what a typical quartz watch delivers.

Built for Real Wear, Not Just a Display Case

Water resistance jumps to 100 meters, double the 50m rating of earlier Lunar Pilot references. Paired with the smaller 41mm case, the Black Hole is the first version of this collection genuinely designed for daily rotation rather than occasional display.

Sizing Guide: Does the 41mm Lunar Pilot Fit Your Wrist?

Case diameter alone doesn't tell the full story of how a watch wears — lug-to-lug distance matters just as much, especially on a cushion-shaped case like the Lunar Pilot. Here's a practical breakdown for buyers deciding whether the 98A335 is the right proportion for their wrist.

Wrist Under 6.5 Inches

At 48mm lug-to-lug, the Black Hole sits comfortably even on smaller wrists, something the standard 43.5mm Lunar Pilot could not offer. This is the first Lunar Pilot reference that realistically works for buyers who previously ruled the collection out because of size.

Wrist Between 6.5 and 7.5 Inches

This is the sweet spot the 41mm case was designed for. The proportions read as a substantial sport chronograph without tipping into oversized territory, and the 20mm lug width keeps the bracelet in balance with the case.

Wrist Over 7.5 Inches

Buyers with larger wrists who prefer a bolder presence may still want to compare against the 43.5mm Lunar Pilot Timascus references, which wear larger and carry a more ornate dial treatment. Both options are available through Lexor Miami's Bulova Limited Edition collection.

Because the Black Hole is limited to 6,000 pieces and there's no adjustable case size, trying it on in person — either at the Lexor Miami showroom in Miami or through a virtual consultation — is the most reliable way to confirm fit before buying.

Caring for the Musou Black Finish and Buying With Confidence

Because the Lunar Pilot Black Hole relies on a specialty light-absorbing paint and a PVD-coated case rather than a traditional brushed or polished finish, a few care habits help preserve its appearance over years of wear:

• Wipe the case and bracelet with a soft, dry microfiber cloth after wear to remove skin oils and everyday grime before they build up on the matte surface.
• Avoid abrasive cleaners or ultrasonic cleaning at home; PVD coatings can be damaged by aggressive polishing compounds, so any deep cleaning should go through an authorized service center.
• Rinse with fresh water after exposure to saltwater or chlorine, even though the 100m water resistance rating covers swimming and daily splashes.
• Store away from direct, prolonged sunlight when not in use to help the dial's light-absorbing properties stay consistent over time.

Because Musou Black finishes and limited production runs attract counterfeiters faster than standard models, buying only from an authorized dealer matters more here than on a mainstream Bulova reference. Every Lunar Pilot Black Hole sold at Lexor Miami is sourced directly through Bulova's authorized distribution channel, arrives with its full manufacturer packaging and warranty card, and is backed by Lexor Miami's own 30-day return policy on unopened, unused merchandise.

Who Should Buy the Bulova Lunar Pilot Black Hole?

• Bulova and Lunar Pilot collectors who have wanted a smaller case since the line's 2016 relaunch.
• Space and NASA history enthusiasts drawn to a documented, verifiable connection to Apollo 15 rather than a generic "space-themed" marketing angle.
• Fans of stealth, all-black design looking for a chronograph that stands apart from brushed-steel dive and pilot watches.
• Gift buyers shopping for Father's Day, graduation, a promotion, or another milestone, who want a limited-edition piece with a real story attached.
• American-made heritage buyers who prefer supporting a brand with more than 150 years of U.S. watchmaking history over Swiss alternatives at a similar price point.

Why Buy the Bulova Lunar Pilot Black Hole at Lexor Miami?

Lexor Miami is an authorized Bulova dealer with a physical showroom at 2371 NW 20th St, Miami, FL, and more than 20 years of experience in the luxury watch and eyewear trade. Every Lunar Pilot Black Hole sold through Lexor Miami is 100% authentic, backed by Bulova's official 3-Year Global Warranty, and ships with free shipping and free returns on qualifying orders.

Because this reference is limited to 6,000 pieces worldwide, availability moves quickly once collectors outside the U.S. discover it. Buyers who want to secure a piece at official U.S. retail pricing, with the option to try it on in person at the Miami showroom or speak to a specialist by phone, chat, or WhatsApp before buying, are better served by an authorized boutique than a marketplace listing with no verification.

How the Lunar Pilot Black Hole Compares to Other Lunar Pilot Limited Editions

Lexor Miami carries more than one Lunar Pilot limited edition. Here's how the Black Hole stacks up against the brand's Timascus references, plus another Bulova limited-edition chronograph in the same collection.

The Lunar Pilot Black Hole as a Luxury Lifestyle Piece

Part of what makes the Lunar Pilot Black Hole work outside strict watch-collector circles is how it wears day to day. At 41mm with a 48mm lug-to-lug, it sits comfortably under a jacket cuff for business meetings, pairs naturally with an all-black outfit for evenings out, and still reads as a serious chronograph rather than a fashion accessory. It's equally at home on a boat in Biscayne Bay, at a business dinner in Brickell, or packed for travel thanks to its 100m water resistance and durable PVD-coated case.

For collectors building a themed collection, the Black Hole also pairs naturally with other space, motorsport, and limited-edition tool watches Lexor Miami carries — including the Mido Multifort IBA Limited Edition, the Seiko Presage Sharp-Edged Zero Halliburton SPB269, and the Hamilton Khaki Field Odyssey.

Frequently Asked Questions