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Continue shoppingLimited Edition Bulova Lunar Pilot Black Hole 98A335
Bulova Archive Series · Lunar Pilot
The Lunar Pilot disappears into the Black Hole.
The Bulova Lunar Pilot Black Hole 98A335 takes one of the most important designs in Bulova’s space-era history and turns it almost completely dark: a Musou-painted dial, black ion-plated case and bracelet, a new 41.2 mm format and the same 262 kHz High Precision Quartz technology that defines the modern Lunar Pilot.
Limited to 6,000 worldwide 41.2 mm 262 kHz HPQ Limited Auckland, NZ stock 3-year manufacturer warranty
The story behind the watch
From Apollo 15 to one of the darkest Lunar Pilots yet.
Mid-1950s to the 1970s
Bulova and the American space programme
Bulova’s precision-timing work became part of the United States space programme, with Bulova technology contributing to 46 missions and spaceflight timekeeping. The company’s role went beyond wristwatches: precision timing was essential to spacecraft systems and mission operations.
2 August 1971
A Bulova chronograph reaches the Moon
During Apollo 15, a Bulova chronograph engineered for lunar conditions was worn on the Moon. That moment became the foundation of today’s Lunar Pilot family: a chronograph design tied directly to one of the most demanding environments a wristwatch could encounter.
Archive Series era
The Lunar Pilot returns
Bulova brought the space-era design back through its Archive Series, pairing the historic chronograph layout with the proprietary NP20 High Precision Quartz movement. Models such as the 96K111 keep the familiar silver-tone case, black dial and 43.5 mm proportions close to the classic Lunar Pilot formula.
The Black Hole
98A335 takes the Lunar Pilot somewhere new
The Black Hole is not simply a black colourway. Bulova reduced the case to 41.2 mm, used an exceptionally light-absorbing Musou-painted dial, darkened the stainless steel case and bracelet, and limited production to 6,000 pieces worldwide. The result keeps the Apollo 15 lineage but gives it a far more contemporary, almost monochrome presence.
99.4%
A dial designed to absorb light.
Bulova uses Musou paint on the 98A335 dial, a material specified to absorb 99.4% of light. That extreme darkness reduces reflected detail across the dial surface and gives the chronograph an unusually deep, almost void-like appearance beneath its flat sapphire crystal.
Design
Black is not the accent. Black is the architecture.
The dial, case, bracelet and tachymeter are deliberately restrained, allowing small variations in finish, texture and lume to define the watch rather than bright colour.
High Precision Quartz
The movement is part of the Lunar Pilot identity.
The Black Hole uses Bulova’s NP20 High Precision Quartz chronograph movement. Its three-pronged quartz crystal resonates at 262 kHz, around eight times the frequency of standard quartz technology.
The high-frequency quartz architecture is central to Bulova’s modern Lunar Pilot, providing precision measured in seconds per year rather than the broader tolerances associated with many conventional quartz movements.
The recessed sub-dials provide a 1/20-second chronograph counter at 3 o’clock, running seconds at 6 o’clock and a 60-minute chronograph counter at 9 o’clock.
The NP20 is engineered for exceptional quartz accuracy while retaining the tactile, instrument-like layout that made the original Lunar Pilot chronograph distinctive.
Full specifications
Bulova Lunar Pilot Black Hole 98A335
Model98A335 — Lunar Pilot Black Hole Limited Edition
Limited edition6,000 pieces worldwide
MovementBulova NP20 High Precision Quartz
Frequency262 kHz
AccuracyApproximately ±10 seconds per year
Case width41.2 mm
Case thicknessApproximately 13 mm
Lug-to-lugApproximately 48 mm
Lug width20 mm
WeightApproximately 165 g
Case materialBlack ion-plated stainless steel with matte finish and polished bezel details
CrystalFlat sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment
DialMusou-painted ultra-black dial with gunmetal-tone details
MarkersApplied markers and slim hands with grey Super-LumiNova
TachymeterGunmetal-tone tachymeter scale
BraceletBlack ion-plated three-link stainless steel bracelet
ClaspPush-button deployant clasp
Water resistanceWR100 / 10 bar / 333 ft
FunctionsSix-hand chronograph, 1/20-second chronograph counter, running seconds, 60-minute counter and tachymeter
Warranty3-year Bulova manufacturer warranty through Cosmoshop NZ
98A335 vs 96K111
Same Lunar Pilot DNA. Very different expression.
The 96K111 is a useful reference point because it carries the familiar silver-tone Lunar Pilot look and the same NP20 movement. The Black Hole changes the visual language and the proportions without abandoning the core chronograph architecture.
96K111 · classic reference
98A335 · Black Hole
| Feature | 98A335 Black Hole | 96K111 Lunar Pilot |
|---|---|---|
| Case size | 41.2 mm | 43.5 mm |
| Case finish | Black ion-plated stainless steel | Silver-tone stainless steel |
| Dial | Musou ultra-black, 99.4% light absorption | Deep black with high-contrast white details |
| Movement | NP20 High Precision Quartz, 262 kHz | NP20 High Precision Quartz, 262 kHz |
| Water resistance | 100 m / 10 bar | 50 m / 5 bar |
| Edition | Limited to 6,000 pieces worldwide | Special Edition Archive Series model |
| Overall character | Compact, monochrome and collector-focused | Classic Lunar Pilot proportions and higher contrast |
Limited-edition presentation
The packaging is part of the Black Hole release.
The 98A335 is presented as a collector-oriented box set rather than as a standard Lunar Pilot package. The presentation reinforces the space theme while adding useful extras for storage and travel.
- Bulova Lunar Pilot Black Hole 98A335
- Special Black Hole presentation box
- Bulova travel case
- Bulova clock
- Brand-new tags and accessories
- 3-year manufacturer warranty
Available in New Zealand
Authorised Bulova stock. Local Auckland support.
Cosmoshop NZ is an authorised Bulova stockist. Our 98A335 allocation is available through our Auckland operation in New Zealand, with only limited quantity available. Each watch is supplied brand new with the limited-edition presentation set and Bulova’s 3-year manufacturer warranty.
Buying locally also means you are dealing with a New Zealand retailer for order support, pickup arrangements and warranty assistance rather than sourcing the watch through an overseas parallel-import channel.
FAQ
Bulova Lunar Pilot Black Hole questions
Is the Bulova Lunar Pilot Black Hole 98A335 a limited edition?
Yes. Bulova states that the Lunar Pilot Black Hole 98A335 is limited to 6,000 pieces worldwide.
What makes the dial so black?
The dial uses Musou paint, which Bulova specifies as absorbing 99.4% of light. This creates the unusually deep black appearance that gives the model its “Black Hole” name.
How large is the 98A335?
The official case width is 41.2 mm, with a 20 mm lug width. This makes it approximately 2.3 mm smaller across the case than the 43.5 mm 96K111 Lunar Pilot.
Does it use the same movement as the 96K111?
Yes. Both use Bulova’s NP20 High Precision Quartz chronograph technology operating at 262 kHz. The major differences are the case size, materials, dial treatment, water resistance and overall design.
Is the 98A335 water resistant?
Yes. Bulova rates the Black Hole at WR100 / 10 bar / 333 ft. Bulova lists this rating for swimming, showering and snorkelling. As with any watch, crowns and pushers should be used according to the manufacturer’s instructions and water resistance should be maintained over time.
What warranty does Cosmoshop NZ provide on this model?
The 98A335 is supplied with a 3-year Bulova manufacturer warranty. Cosmoshop NZ is an authorised Bulova stockist and can assist customers with the warranty process where required.
Is the Black Hole available in New Zealand?
Cosmoshop NZ has a limited Auckland allocation of the 98A335. Availability may change quickly because the model is limited to 6,000 pieces worldwide.
Bulova, Lunar Pilot and related trademarks and product imagery are the property of their respective rights holders. Cosmoshop NZ is an authorised Bulova stockist. Product specifications may be updated by the manufacturer; refer to the product listing for current availability and purchase details.