StoreDeal.ai store
Shop
  • Deals
  • Deal checker
  • Black Friday
  • Buying guides
  • Brands
  • Stores
Travel
  • Flight deals
  • Hotel deals
Company
  • Research
  • Press
  • Use in AI assistants
  • Contact
  • deal.ai apps
Black Friday 2026
  • Walmart
  • Best Buy
  • Target
  • TVs
  • Laptops
  • Headphones
  • Apple
  • Gaming
  • Vacuums
  • Kitchen
  • Toys
  • Smartwatches
  • Tablets
  • Furniture
  • Mattresses
© Deal.ai Inc.·2222 Ponce de Leon Blvd, Miami, FL 33134·support@deal.ai
TermsPrivacy
Deal.ai › Compare

Bulova Lunar Pilot Chronograph vs Bulova Oceanographer

Buy the Lunar Pilot if you want a highly accurate quartz chronograph with real Apollo 15 heritage and a sapphire crystal. Buy the Oceanographer if you want a proper dive watch with a 200m ISO rating, a screw-down crown and an automatic movement. The Lunar Pilot is the more accurate timekeeper and the chronograph is genuinely useful. The Oceanographer is the tougher, more versatile watch and its automatic movement appeals to mechanical-watch fans. Owners praise the Lunar Pilot's looks, readability and accuracy; the leather strap gets mixed notes, and the NATO is preferred.

  • Choose the Lunar Pilot if you want a chronograph with stopwatch and tachymeter, near-perfect quartz accuracy and a lighter watch on the wrist.
  • Choose the Oceanographer if you want a certified dive watch with 200m water resistance, a screw-down crown and a self-winding movement.

Prices

  • Bulova Lunar Pilot Chronograph: $504.00 at Ducci Jewellers (last seen Nov 10)
  • Bulova Oceanographer: $187.16 at Amazon (checked today)
  • Difference: the Bulova Oceanographer is $316.84 cheaper than the Bulova Lunar Pilot Chronograph at the latest prices (Nov 10 and Nov 14)
Bulova
Bulova Lunar Pilot Chronograph

Bulova Lunar Pilot Chronograph

5(71 ratings)
$504.00at Ducci JewellersChecked Nov 10
See all prices and details
Visit Ducci Jewellers
Pros
  • Very accurate high-frequency quartz movement
  • Sapphire crystal and solid stainless steel case
  • Chronograph, stopwatch and tachymeter are genuinely useful
  • Strong Apollo 15 story and distinctive looks
  • Comes with two straps
Cons
  • Only 50m water resistance; not for swimming
  • 45mm case is large for smaller wrists
  • Leather strap gets mixed reviews; NATO is preferred
  • No screw-down crown
Bulova
Bulova Oceanographer

Bulova Oceanographer

$187.16at AmazonChecked 10 h ago
See all prices and details
Visit Amazon

Store links may earn us a commission. As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.

Pros
  • 200m ISO-certified dive rating with screw-down crown
  • Automatic movement with 42-hour power reserve
  • Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
  • Steel bracelet with safety clasp and extender
  • Rotating bezel for timing dives
Cons
  • Automatic movement is less accurate than quartz
  • About 15mm thick; sits tall on the wrist
  • Needs regular wear or winding to keep time
  • Heavier on the bracelet than a strap watch

What separates them

Bulova Lunar Pilot ChronographBulova Oceanographer
MovementBulova NP20 high-frequency quartz at 262 kHzMiyota 821D automatic with 42-hour power reserve
Accuracy and upkeepQuartz accuracy; battery changes onlyMechanical; needs winding or wear to keep running, less accurate
Water resistance50m; fine for splashes and rain, not swimming200m, ISO certified, screw-down crown; suitable for diving
CrystalSapphireBox sapphire with blue anti-reflective coating
Case size and thicknessAbout 43.5–45mm, relatively slim for a chronograph41–44mm case, about 15mm thick
Strap optionsInterchangeable leather and nylon straps, buckle closureStainless steel bracelet with fold-over clasp, safety bar and extender
FunctionsChronograph, stopwatch, tachymeter, dateThree-hand with date, unidirectional rotating bezel
Heritage and styleApollo 15 moonwatch tribute; dressy-sport look1970s Devil Diver tribute; dive-watch look

Price history

$546.99$187.16
Nov 3Nov 14
  • Bulova Lunar Pilot Chronograph: lowest $375.00 on Nov 9 at CreationWatches; $444.00 on Nov 14.
  • Bulova Oceanographer: lowest $187.16 on Nov 14 at Amazon.

Prices at every store

Bulova Lunar Pilot Chronograph

  • Ducci JewellersNew

    In stock

    $504.00Free shippingChecked Nov 10
    Visit Ducci Jewellers
  • VeloceNew

    In stockSold by The App For Watch Collectors

    $517.99Free shippingChecked Nov 9
    Visit Veloce
  • The Luxury Closet USNew

    In stockShips from abroad · duties may apply

    $547.00Free shippingChecked Nov 10
    Visit The Luxury Closet US
  • Raggi PreziosiNew

    In stock

    $570.97+ $32.30 shippingChecked Nov 10
    Visit Raggi Preziosi

Also available at

  • MonicajewellersCheck price at Monicajewellers
  • ZalesCheck price at Zales
  • WatchExclusiveCheck price at WatchExclusive

Store links may earn us a commission.

All 8 stores and price history →

Bulova Oceanographer

  • Chrono24.comNew

    In stock

    $493.00Checked 10 h ago
    Visit Chrono24.com
  • Gioielleria SessaNew

    In stock

    $561.21+ $52.91 shippingChecked 10 h ago
    Visit Gioielleria Sessa
  • AmazonNew

    Availability unknown

    As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.

    $187.16Free shippingChecked 10 h ago
    Visit Amazon
  • Rogers & HollandsNew

    Availability unknown

    $577.50Checked Nov 13
    Visit Rogers & Hollands

Store links may earn us a commission.

All 26 stores and price history →

Specs compared

SpecBulova Lunar Pilot ChronographBulova Oceanographer
CASEStainless steelStainless steel
MOVEMENTBulova NP20 quartzMiyota 821D
DIALBlackGreen
SIZE45mm44mm
STRAPLeatherStainless-steel bracelet
Case Size43.5mm case41 mm
StyleWrist—
DisplayAnalog—
ChronographYes—
Water ResistantYes—
Watch MovementQuartz—
Scratch-ResistantYes—
Show all 29 specsShow fewer specs
SpecBulova Lunar Pilot ChronographBulova Oceanographer
Color (Strap)Black—
ClosureBuckle—
GlassMineral, Sapphire—
Watch Strap MaterialTextile, Polyamide—
FunctionsDate, Tachometer, Chronograph, Stopwatch—
GenderMale—
Case ColorSilver—
Weight (oz)4.0—
Movement TypeQuartz—
Type of IndexIndex (without numbers)

What reviewers say

Bulova Lunar Pilot Chronograph

  • 5 / 571 ratings

Buyers rate it 5 out of 5 across 71 ratings and praise its looks, wrist presence and readability. The leather strap draws the only mixed notes, with some preferring the included NATO.

What people mention
  • LumeCriticisedOwners say the luminous markers and hands barely glow in the dark.
  • StrapMixedThe leather strap is called pretty but average, while the NATO strap is preferred by several buyers.
  • AccuracyPraisedThe 262 kHz quartz movement is reported as very accurate.
  • SizeMixedThe large case gives strong wrist presence but may be too big for smaller wrists.

Bulova Oceanographer

Owners of the modern Oceanographer generally like the retro styling, the green dial and the solid feel for the money. Common complaints are the size and weight and the unremarkable Miyota movement.

What people mention
  • SizeCriticisedOwners say the 44mm case and 15mm thickness wear big and tall, best for larger wrists.
  • MovementMixedThe Miyota 821D is reliable but basic, with no hacking seconds.
  • DialPraisedThe green dial and black/green bezel are the main draw for buyers.
  • BuildPraisedThe steel case, screw-down crown and sapphire crystal feel solid for the price.

Questions and answers

Which is better for swimming and diving?
The Oceanographer. It is ISO certified to 200m with a screw-down crown and a rotating bezel. The Lunar Pilot is rated to 50m, which covers splashes and rain but not swimming.
Which keeps better time?
The Lunar Pilot. Its 262 kHz quartz movement is far more accurate than the Miyota automatic in the Oceanographer, which drifts by seconds a day and needs winding when not worn.
Which is better for smaller wrists?
The Oceanographer. Its case is listed at 41mm, though it is about 15mm thick. The Lunar Pilot is roughly 43.5–45mm and wears large, so try it on first if your wrist is under about 7 inches.
Is the Lunar Pilot worth stepping up to over a basic chronograph?
Yes, if you want the accuracy, sapphire crystal and Apollo heritage. It is widely seen as a strong alternative to far more expensive moonwatch-style chronographs, though owners say it is not Omega-level fit and finish.
Does the Oceanographer need more maintenance?
Yes. An automatic movement needs servicing every several years and runs down after about 42 hours off the wrist. The Lunar Pilot only needs a battery change.
Which looks more versatile?
The Lunar Pilot dresses up or down more easily, especially on the leather strap. The Oceanographer is a chunky dive watch that reads sporty and casual.

Ask our shopping agent

It checks today's price at every store, compares the alternatives and answers in about a minute.

Enter to send, Shift+Enter for a new line

More comparisons

  • Bulova Lunar Pilot Chronograph vs Bulova 98P174 Rubaiyat Ladies 35mm 3ATM
  • Bulova Lunar Pilot Chronograph vs Bulova Curv
  • Bulova Lunar Pilot Chronograph vs Bulova Racer Chronograph 98B428
  • Bulova Oceanographer vs Bulova Classic Men's Quartz Analog Wristwatch Stainless Steel Watch in Silver, Gold and Blue
  • Bulova Lunar Pilot Chronograph vs Bulova Surveyor Automatic 96B469
  • Bulova Lunar Pilot Chronograph vs Bulova Men's Marine Star Chronograph Watch
  • Bulova Lunar Pilot Chronograph vs Bulova Classic Men's Quartz Analog Wristwatch Stainless Steel Watch in Silver, Gold and Blue
  • Bulova Lunar Pilot Chronograph vs Bulova Hack Watch

Buying guides that pick them

  • Best Bulova watches for men and women
—
Display TypeAnalog—
Dial ColorBlack—
Time Format12 Hours—
Case MaterialStainless Steel—
Watch Strap Width (")0.787402—
Water Protection5 ATM (50m)—
colorBlack—