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Bulova Marine Star Automatic vs Bulova Lunar Pilot Chronograph

The Lunar Pilot is the better watch for most shoppers: its 262 kHz quartz movement is far more accurate than the Marine Star's automatic, and its sapphire crystal resists scratches that mineral glass picks up. The Marine Star counters with a mechanical automatic movement, a 200 m water rating and a steel bracelet, which suits someone who wants a self-winding dive-style watch. Owners praise the Lunar Pilot's looks, readability and accuracy; the Marine Star's 4.7 rating reflects solid satisfaction, but its mineral crystal and 42-hour reserve are the usual complaints at this level.

  • Choose the Marine Star if you want a self-winding automatic watch with 200 m water resistance and a steel bracelet for swimming and daily wear.
  • Choose the Lunar Pilot if you want the most accurate quartz chronograph here, with sapphire glass and a genuine Apollo 15 story behind it.

Prices

  • Bulova Marine Star Automatic: $525.00 at Zales Outlet (last seen Nov 6)
  • Bulova Lunar Pilot Chronograph: $465.00 at Chrono24.com (checked today)
  • Difference: the Bulova Lunar Pilot Chronograph is $60.00 cheaper than the Bulova Marine Star Automatic at the latest prices (Nov 6 and Nov 10)
Bulova
Bulova Marine Star Men's Watch

Bulova Marine Star Automatic

Bulova Marine Star Men's Watch

4.7(227 ratings)
$525.00at Zales OutletChecked Nov 6
See all prices and details
Visit Zales Outlet
Pros
  • Automatic movement never needs a battery
  • 200 m water resistance handles swimming
  • Steel bracelet and deployant clasp feel substantial
  • Hacking feature lets you set the time precisely
Cons
  • Mineral crystal scratches more easily than sapphire
  • 42-hour reserve means it stops if left off a day
  • At 183 g it is heavy on the wrist
  • Automatic needs periodic servicing
Bulova
Bulova Lunar Pilot Chronograph

Bulova Lunar Pilot Chronograph

5(71 ratings)
$465.00at Chrono24.comChecked 54 min ago
See all prices and details
Visit Chrono24.com
Pros
  • 262 kHz quartz is exceptionally accurate
  • Sapphire crystal resists scratches
  • True chronograph with tachymeter and date
  • Comes with two straps and has real Apollo 15 history
Cons
  • 50 m water resistance is not for swimming
  • Lume is weak, owners say the dial is not luminous
  • Leather strap draws mixed reviews
  • Quartz means battery changes

What separates them

Bulova Marine Star AutomaticBulova Lunar Pilot Chronograph
Movement82S5 automatic, self-winding, 42-hour power reserveNP20 high-frequency quartz at 262 kHz, battery powered
AccuracyAutomatic, typically off by seconds a dayHigh-frequency quartz, accurate to seconds a month
CrystalMineral crystalSapphire crystal
Water resistance200 m, suitable for swimming and snorkeling50 m, splash and rain only
Case size and weight44 mm case, 183 g on steel bracelet45 mm cushion case, about 4 oz on strap
StrapStainless steel bracelet with deployant claspLeather and nylon straps with buckle
ChronographListed as chronograph, but the movement is a three-hand with sub secondsTrue chronograph with stopwatch and tachymeter
MaintenanceNo battery, but needs servicing every few yearsBattery changes every few years, cheaper to own long term

Price history

$525.00$269.49
Nov 3Nov 10
  • Bulova Marine Star Automatic: lowest $269.49 on Nov 3; $376.00 on Nov 10.
  • Bulova Lunar Pilot Chronograph: lowest $375.00 on Nov 9 at CreationWatches; $375.00 on Nov 10.

Prices at every store

Bulova Marine Star Automatic

  • Zales OutletNew

    Availability unknown

    $525.00Checked Nov 6
    Visit Zales Outlet
  • BulovaNew

    Availability unknown

    $562.50Checked Nov 6
    Visit Bulova
  • Kay OutletNew

    Availability unknown

    $562.50Checked Nov 6
    Visit Kay Outlet

Also available at

  • BelkCheck price at Belk
  • Reeds JewelersCheck price at Reeds Jewelers
  • Macy'sCheck price at Macy's
All 3 stores and price history →

Bulova Lunar Pilot Chronograph

  • Chrono24.comNew

    In stock

    $465.00+ $34.00 shippingChecked 54 min ago
    Visit Chrono24.com
  • Ducci JewellersNew

    In stock

    $504.00Free shippingChecked 54 min ago
    Visit Ducci Jewellers
  • VeloceNew

    In stockSold by The App For Watch Collectors

    $517.99Free shippingChecked 22 h ago
    Visit Veloce
  • The Luxury Closet USNew

    In stock

    $547.00Free shippingChecked 54 min ago
    Visit The Luxury Closet US

Also available at

  • ZalesCheck price at Zales
  • yankojewelersCheck price at yankojewelers
  • NeweggCheck price at Newegg
All 9 stores and price history →

Specs compared

SpecBulova Marine Star AutomaticBulova Lunar Pilot Chronograph
Movement82S5 AutomaticBulova NP20 quartz
Dial colorBlueBlack
Case materialStainless SteelStainless Steel
Functions3 Hand, Automatic, Sub Second Hand, Hack FeatureDate, Tachometer, Chronograph, Stopwatch
ColorGold ToneBlack
GenderWomenMale
StyleWristWrist
DisplayAnalogAnalog
ChronographYesYes
Water ResistantYesYes
Watch MovementQuartzQuartz
Scratch-ResistantYesYes
Show all 39 specsShow fewer specs
SpecBulova Marine Star AutomaticBulova Lunar Pilot Chronograph
Case Size43mm case43.5mm case
Case diameter44 mm—
Lug width24 mm—
Weight183 g—
Water resistanceWR200/20Bar/666ft—
Power reserve42 Hour Power Reserve—
CrystalMineral Crystal—
Band materialStainless Steel—
Clasp typeDeployant Clasp with Push Buttons—
Condition

What reviewers say

Bulova Marine Star Automatic

  • 4.7 / 5227 ratings

Owners rate the Marine Star highly, praising its looks and the value of an automatic movement at this price. Complaints center on the mineral crystal, the weight and the size on smaller wrists.

What people mention
  • CrystalCriticisedOwners say the mineral crystal picks up scratches with daily wear.
  • WeightMixedThe 183 g steel build feels substantial to some and too heavy to others.
  • SizeMixedThe 44 mm case reads bold on large wrists but oversized on smaller ones.
  • MovementPraisedBuyers like getting a hacking automatic with a 42-hour reserve at this price.

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.

Questions and answers

Which is more accurate, the Marine Star or the Lunar Pilot?
The Lunar Pilot. Its 262 kHz quartz movement is accurate to seconds a month, while the Marine Star's automatic drifts by seconds a day.
Can I swim with either watch?
Only the Marine Star, rated to 200 m. The Lunar Pilot is rated to 50 m, which covers splashes and rain but not swimming.
Which one lasts longer?
Both use stainless steel cases, but the Lunar Pilot's sapphire crystal resists scratches far better than the Marine Star's mineral glass. The Marine Star's automatic movement needs servicing; the Lunar Pilot only needs batteries.
Is the Lunar Pilot worth stepping up to over the Marine Star?
Yes if accuracy, scratch resistance and chronograph function matter most. Pick the Marine Star instead if you want an automatic movement and real water resistance.
Does the Marine Star have a working chronograph?
Treat that claim with care. Its listed movement is a three-hand automatic with a sub seconds dial, not a chronograph. The Lunar Pilot has a genuine stopwatch and tachymeter.
Which wears smaller?
They are close: 44 mm for the Marine Star and 45 mm for the Lunar Pilot. The Lunar Pilot's cushion case and strap make it sit flatter, while the Marine Star's steel bracelet adds weight.

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New; Open Box
—
Case ShapeRound Case—
CASE—Stainless steel
DIAL—Black
SIZE—45mm
STRAP—Leather
Color (Strap)—Black
Closure—Buckle
Glass—Mineral, Sapphire
Watch Strap Material—Textile, Polyamide
Case Color—Silver
Weight (oz)—4.0
Movement Type—Quartz
Type of Index—Index (without numbers)
Display Type—Analog
Time Format—12 Hours
Watch Strap Width (")—0.787402
Water Protection—5 ATM (50m)