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Bulova Lunar Pilot "Mini" 43.5mm Review - 96K111
Limited Drop · Bulova 96K111
Bulova Lunar Pilot 43.5mm 96K111 - The Moonwatch With A Story Of Its Own
"The Bulova Lunar Pilot 96K111 is not just another black chronograph. It is a modern tribute to one of the most interesting watch stories in space history."
The Bulova Lunar Pilot Special Edition 43.5mm Chronograph Watch - 96K111 is one of the strongest modern Bulova releases for anyone who wants proper heritage, strong specifications, and a watch that actually has a story behind it. It takes the famous Lunar Pilot design, brings it closer to the original 43.5mm case size, and pairs it with Bulova's high precision quartz movement, sapphire crystal, stainless steel bracelet, and an extra NATO leather strap.
At Cosmoshop NZ, we are proud to be an authorised Bulova dealer. This is a very limited drop, with stock subject to availability and sold on a first come, first served basis. At the time of writing, this model is listed at $990 NZD, down from a regular price of $1,500 NZD, and is expected to arrive at our Auckland warehouse from 28/06/2026.
Bulova Lunar Pilot 96K111 - 43.5mm stainless steel case, black chronograph dial, tachymeter ring and high precision quartz movement.
Very Limited Bulova Drop At Cosmoshop NZ
Authorised Bulova dealer · Genuine Bulova box · Extra NATO leather strap · 3 year manufacturer warranty · Auckland dispatch once stock arrives
Model 96K111 43.5mm case Sapphire crystal HPQ movement Extra strap included
$990 NZD Regular price $1,500 NZD · Save 34%
The History Behind The Bulova Lunar Pilot
The Lunar Pilot story starts with Apollo 15, the 1971 NASA mission commanded by astronaut David Scott. The Omega Speedmaster is usually the watch most people associate with the Moon, but the Bulova story is different. During Apollo 15, Scott's NASA-issued watch had an issue, so he wore his privately owned Bulova chronograph during the mission. That moment gave Bulova one of the most interesting and collectible stories in modern watchmaking.
Modern Lunar Pilot watches are inspired by that original Bulova chronograph. The 96K111 is especially appealing because it uses a 43.5mm case size, matching the size and shape more closely than the earlier larger 45mm Lunar Pilot models. This makes it feel more wearable while still keeping the bold, instrument-like presence that makes the Lunar Pilot recognisable.
1875
Joseph Bulova founded Bulova in New York, beginning one of the most important American watchmaking stories.
1960s
Bulova became known for precision timing and innovation, including Accutron tuning fork technology and timing instruments connected to space-age engineering.
1971
A Bulova chronograph was worn on the Moon during Apollo 15, giving the brand a genuine place in lunar watch history.
Modern Era
Bulova revived the Lunar Pilot as part of its Archive Series, keeping the space-inspired design and updating it with modern materials and high precision quartz technology.
96K111
The 96K111 brings the Lunar Pilot into a more wearable 43.5mm case, with a stainless steel bracelet, extra NATO leather strap, sapphire crystal and Bulova's NP20 high precision quartz movement.
Bulova Lunar Pilot 96K111 Specifications
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Model | Bulova Lunar Pilot Special Edition Chronograph - 96K111 |
| Collection | Bulova Archive Series · Lunar Pilot |
| Case Size | 43.5mm |
| Case Thickness | 13.21mm |
| Case Material | Silver tone stainless steel |
| Dial | Deep black six-hand chronograph dial with white accents, tachymeter ring, luminous hands and markers |
| Movement | Bulova NP20 High Precision Quartz, 262kHz frequency |
| Crystal | Flat anti-reflective sapphire crystal |
| Bracelet | Silver tone stainless steel bracelet with push-button deployant clasp |
| Extra Strap | Black NATO leather strap with easy release system |
| Water Resistance | WR50 / 5 Bar / 166ft still water swimming |
| Functions | 1/20 chronograph seconds counter, running seconds, 60-minute chronograph counter |
| Warranty | 3 year Bulova manufacturer warranty through Cosmoshop NZ |
Photos Of The Bulova Lunar Pilot 96K111
The 96K111 looks best when you notice the details: the wide cushion-style stainless steel case, slim chronograph pushers, deep black dial, crisp white tachymeter scale and the choice between a bracelet or black NATO leather strap. This is not a small minimalist watch. It has presence, but the 43.5mm size makes it noticeably more wearable than the earlier 45mm Lunar Pilot models.
Bracelet plus extra black NATO leather strap included.
The black leather strap gives it a more vintage, mission-ready look.
Caseback engraving and stainless steel bracelet detail.
Side profile showing the slim pushers and signed crown.
On wrist, the 96K111 has a strong vintage chronograph look without feeling overly flashy.
What Makes The 96K111 Special?
1. A real space story
The Lunar Pilot is popular because it has genuine lunar heritage. It is not just a space-themed design. It is based on a Bulova chronograph connected to Apollo 15, making it one of the few affordable watches with a real Moon story behind it.
2. The better-wearing 43.5mm case
Earlier modern Lunar Pilot models are often loved for their design but criticised for wearing large. The 96K111 brings the case size down to 43.5mm, which makes it more balanced on more wrists while still keeping the bold case shape that suits the watch.
3. High precision quartz movement
Inside the 96K111 is Bulova's NP20 High Precision Quartz movement. It runs at 262kHz, which is eight times higher than standard quartz. The result is excellent accuracy and a chronograph seconds hand with a much smoother motion than a typical quartz chronograph.
4. Strong included package
This model includes the Bulova watch box, stainless steel bracelet, extra black NATO leather strap, tags, accessories and a 3 year manufacturer warranty. For the price, that makes it a very complete watch package.
Bulova Lunar Pilot 96K111 vs Other Watches
| Watch | Best For | How It Compares To The 96K111 |
|---|---|---|
| Bulova Lunar Pilot 96K111 | Space history, accuracy, value, strong chronograph design | The best choice if you want Moon heritage, high precision quartz, sapphire crystal and a complete bracelet plus strap package under luxury watch pricing. |
| Bulova Lunar Pilot 96B251 | Original modern Lunar Pilot feel | The 96B251 is also a strong Lunar Pilot, but its larger 45mm case can wear bigger. The 96K111 is the more wearable and refined version for many buyers. |
| Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch | Luxury mechanical Moonwatch collecting | The Omega is the more famous and more expensive mechanical Moonwatch. The Bulova gives you a different Apollo story at a much more accessible price. |
| Seiko Prospex Speedtimer | Smaller solar chronograph, daily wear | The Seiko is easier for smaller wrists and solar powered, but the Bulova has the stronger lunar story, bolder case and high precision quartz appeal. |
| Citizen Eco-Drive Chronograph | Low-maintenance solar everyday use | Citizen is excellent for practical solar ownership. The Bulova is more collectible and more heritage-driven, especially if you care about chronograph history. |
| Tissot PRX Chronograph | Swiss automatic sport chronograph style | The Tissot offers Swiss mechanical appeal, but sits at a higher price and has a different design story. The Bulova is more accurate, thinner in story-driven appeal and easier to own day to day. |
The simple way to look at it is this: buy the Omega Speedmaster if you want the most famous luxury Moonwatch and are happy to spend far more. Buy the Seiko Speedtimer if you want something smaller and solar powered. Buy a Citizen Eco-Drive chronograph if you want practical set-and-forget daily use. Buy the Bulova Lunar Pilot 96K111 if you want the best mix of price, accuracy, sapphire crystal, space history and wrist presence.
What Do People Think Of The Bulova Lunar Pilot 96K111?
Owner feedback on the Lunar Pilot is generally very strong. People tend to like the sharp dial printing, the space history, the smooth chronograph seconds hand, the slim paddle-style pushers, the sapphire crystal and the accuracy of the high precision quartz movement. On Bulova's official listing, the 96K111 is currently rated 4.80 out of 5 based on 27 reviews.
What people like
Owners often praise the clean black dial, strong legibility, lunar story, accuracy and overall build quality.
What surprises people
The chronograph seconds hand has a smoother motion, but the small running seconds sub-dial still ticks in steps. This is normal for the movement.
What to consider
Even at 43.5mm, this is still a bold watch. It is much more wearable than the larger version, but not a tiny dress watch.
Pros & Cons Of The Bulova Lunar Pilot 96K111
✓ Pros
- ✅ Genuine Apollo 15 lunar heritage
- ✅ More wearable 43.5mm case size
- ✅ High Precision Quartz NP20 movement
- ✅ 262kHz frequency, eight times higher than standard quartz
- ✅ Anti-reflective sapphire crystal
- ✅ Stainless steel bracelet included
- ✅ Extra black NATO leather strap included
- ✅ Strong value compared with luxury Moonwatch alternatives
- ✅ 3 year Bulova manufacturer warranty through Cosmoshop NZ
✗ Cons
- ⚠ Still wears bold, so very small wrists may prefer a smaller chronograph
- ⚠ Quartz movement may not satisfy buyers who only want mechanical watches
- ⚠ 50m water resistance is fine for everyday use, but it is not a dive watch
- ⚠ Limited drop means availability can change quickly
- ⚠ No date window, which some daily wear buyers may miss
- ⚠ The Moon story is a big part of the appeal, so buyers who do not care about heritage may prefer a simpler chronograph
Who Should Buy The Bulova Lunar Pilot 96K111?
The Bulova Lunar Pilot 96K111 is ideal for someone who wants a watch with more meaning than a normal fashion chronograph. It suits collectors, space fans, Bulova fans, chronograph lovers and buyers who want a serious watch without spending luxury Swiss money. It also makes an excellent gift because the story is easy to explain: this is a modern version of a Bulova chronograph connected to Apollo 15 and lunar exploration history.
It is also a smart pick for someone who wants accuracy without the maintenance of a mechanical chronograph. Mechanical chronographs can be beautiful, but they are usually more expensive and require more servicing over time. The Lunar Pilot gives you the look and feel of a serious chronograph with the everyday convenience of high precision quartz.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Bulova Lunar Pilot 96K111 worth buying?
Yes, especially if you like chronographs, space history and strong value. The 96K111 gives you sapphire crystal, a high precision quartz movement, stainless steel bracelet, extra strap and a genuine Lunar Pilot design story at a much lower price than most luxury Moonwatch alternatives.
Is the 43.5mm Lunar Pilot better than the 45mm version?
For many buyers, yes. The 43.5mm version wears more comfortably and is closer to the original Bulova chronograph size. The 45mm version still has its fans, but the 96K111 is easier to recommend for more wrist sizes.
Is the Bulova Lunar Pilot automatic?
No. The 96K111 uses Bulova's High Precision Quartz NP20 movement. This is part of the appeal because it offers strong accuracy and lower maintenance compared with a mechanical chronograph.
Does the Bulova Lunar Pilot 96K111 come with an extra strap?
Yes. This model includes the stainless steel bracelet and an additional black NATO leather strap with an easy release system, giving you two different looks in the box.
Can you swim with the Bulova Lunar Pilot 96K111?
The watch is rated to WR50 / 5 Bar / 166ft still water swimming. It is suitable for light water exposure, but it should not be treated like a dive watch.
Is Cosmoshop NZ an authorised Bulova dealer?
Yes. Cosmoshop NZ is an authorised Bulova dealer. The Bulova Lunar Pilot 96K111 is supplied brand new with genuine packaging, included accessories and a 3 year manufacturer warranty.
Shop The Bulova Lunar Pilot 96K111 At Cosmoshop NZ
Very limited drop · Authorised Bulova dealer · 3 year manufacturer warranty · Bracelet and extra NATO leather strap included · Afterpay and Zip available
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