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Bulova Marine Star 96B256 Chronograph vs Bulova Lunar Pilot Chronograph

The Lunar Pilot is the better watch for most people: its 262 kHz high-performance quartz is far more accurate than a standard quartz, and sapphire glass resists scratches that mineral glass picks up. The Marine Star wins on water resistance at 100m and comes on a steel bracelet, which suits swimming and daily wear better than leather. Owners of the Lunar Pilot praise its looks, readability and accuracy but note the lume is weak and the leather strap is average; the Marine Star is a solid, low-maintenance sport chronograph without the Lunar Pilot's movement or history.

  • Choose the Marine Star if you want a steel-bracelet chronograph you can swim and shower in, with 100m water resistance and a blue dial.
  • Choose the Lunar Pilot if accuracy, sapphire glass and a watch with real spaceflight history matter more to you than water resistance.

Prices

  • Bulova Marine Star 96B256 Chronograph: $241.99 at eBay (last seen Nov 8)
  • Bulova Lunar Pilot Chronograph: $463.00 at Chrono24.com (checked today)
  • Difference: the Bulova Marine Star 96B256 Chronograph is $221.01 cheaper than the Bulova Lunar Pilot Chronograph at the latest prices (Nov 8 and Nov 9)
Bulova
Bulova Men's Marine Star Blue Dial Stainless Steel Bracelet Chronograph Watch 96B256

Bulova Marine Star 96B256 Chronograph

Bulova Men's Marine Star Blue Dial Stainless Steel Bracelet Chronograph Watch 96B256

4.9(8 ratings)
$241.99at eBayObserved Nov 8, 2026, 6:46 PM
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Store links may earn us a commission.

Pros
  • 100m water resistance handles swimming and showers
  • Steel bracelet and case feel sturdy and need little care
  • Blue dial with subdials stands out from plain black chronographs
  • Quartz movement means no winding and easy ownership
Cons
  • Mineral glass scratches more easily than sapphire
  • Standard quartz is less accurate than the Lunar Pilot's movement
  • No luminous hands or markers listed
  • Bracelet adds weight on the wrist
Bulova
Bulova Lunar Pilot Chronograph

Bulova Lunar Pilot Chronograph

5(71 ratings)
$463.00at Chrono24.comObserved at 5:56 AM
See all prices and details
Visit Chrono24.com
Pros
  • 262 kHz quartz is among the most accurate quartz movements made
  • Sapphire crystal resists scratches
  • Two straps included, leather and nylon
  • Strong owner ratings and a genuine Apollo 15 story
Cons
  • 50m water resistance limits swimming
  • Owners report the luminous dial is not at all luminous
  • Leather strap gets mixed reviews; the nylon is preferred
  • Battery quartz needs periodic battery changes

What separates them

Bulova Marine Star 96B256 ChronographBulova Lunar Pilot Chronograph
Movement accuracyStandard quartz six-hand chronographBulova NP20 high-performance quartz at 262 kHz, far more accurate
CrystalFlat mineral glassSapphire crystal
Water resistance100m / 10 ATM50m / 5 ATM
BraceletStainless steel bracelet with fold-over clasp and pushersLeather strap plus interchangeable nylon strap, buckle closure
Case sizeMarine Star case, one size45mm cushion case, listed as 43.5mm in places
Chronograph functionsChronograph with dateChronograph, stopwatch, tachometer, date
LumeIndex markers, no lume claimsLuminous hands and markers, but owners say the lume is weak
ProvenanceMarine-inspired sport designReplica of the chronograph worn on Apollo 15

Price history

$461.00$302.93
Nov 3Nov 9
  • Bulova Marine Star 96B256 Chronograph: lowest $302.93 on Nov 8 at Newegg.
  • Bulova Lunar Pilot Chronograph: lowest $375.00 on Nov 9 at CreationWatches.

Prices at every store

Bulova Marine Star 96B256 Chronograph

  • NeweggNew

    In stock

    $302.93Free shippingObserved Nov 8, 2026, 6:46 PM
    Visit Newegg
  • VeloceNew

    In stockSold by The App For Watch Collectors

    $357.99Free shippingObserved Nov 8, 2026, 6:47 PM
    Visit Veloce
  • WatchmaxxNew

    In stock

    $364.00Free shippingObserved Nov 8, 2026, 6:46 PM
    Visit Watchmaxx
  • eBayNew

    Availability unknownSold by nicksticksluxury (100% positive, 191 ratings)Returns: Set by the eBay seller; the eBay Money Back Guarantee covers an item that doesn't arrive or isn't as described.

    $241.99+ $13.69 shippingObserved Nov 8, 2026, 6:46 PM
    Visit eBay

Store links may earn us a commission. Some prices via Klarna.

All 10 stores and price history →

Bulova Lunar Pilot Chronograph

  • Chrono24.comNew

    In stock

    $463.00+ $34.00 shippingObserved at 5:56 AM
    Visit Chrono24.com
  • Ducci JewellersNew

    In stock

    $503.00Free shippingObserved at 5:56 AM
    Visit Ducci Jewellers
  • VeloceNew

    In stockSold by The App For Watch Collectors

    $517.99Free shippingObserved at 5:56 AM
    Visit Veloce
  • Raggi PreziosiNew

    In stock

    $570.97+ $32.30 shippingObserved at 5:56 AM
    Visit Raggi Preziosi

Also available at

  • Ann-Louise JewellersCheck price at Ann-Louise Jewellers
  • yankojewelersCheck price at yankojewelers
  • H Williams JewelleryCheck price at H Williams Jewellery
All 8 stores and price history →

Specs compared

SpecBulova Marine Star 96B256 ChronographBulova Lunar Pilot Chronograph
sizeOne Size45mm
MovementQuartz six-hand calendar chronographBulova NP20 quartz
CaseStainless steel, screw-backStainless steel
DialBlue with silver-tone finishBlack
Case ColorSilverSilver
Color (Strap)SilverBlack
Movement TypeQuartzQuartz
Type of IndexIndex (without numbers)Index (without numbers)
ClosureClaspBuckle
Display TypeAnalogAnalog
Dial ColorBlueBlack
Watch Strap MaterialStainless SteelTextile, Polyamide
Show all 37 specsShow fewer specs
SpecBulova Marine Star 96B256 ChronographBulova Lunar Pilot Chronograph
FunctionsDate, ChronographDate, Tachometer, Chronograph, Stopwatch
Time Format12 Hours12 Hours
GenderMaleMale
Case MaterialStainless SteelStainless Steel
DisplayAnalogAnalog
colorSilver—
actual_colorSilver—
CrystalFlat mineral glass—
ClaspFold-over with pushers—
Brand

What reviewers say

Bulova Marine Star 96B256 Chronograph

Owners of the Marine Star line generally like the bold blue dial and the solid steel feel for the money, and treat it as a dependable everyday chronograph. Common complaints center on the mineral crystal and the watch's size and weight rather than the movement.

What people mention
  • DialPraisedOwners like the deep blue dial and the silver-tone subdials, calling it the watch's best feature.
  • BuildPraisedThe stainless steel case and bracelet feel solid and heavier than expected for the tier.
  • CrystalCriticisedThe flat mineral glass is the most common complaint, with scratches showing up with daily wear.
  • SizeMixedSome wearers find the case large and heavy, while others like the bold presence on the wrist.

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.

Questions and answers

Which is better for swimming?
The Marine Star. It is rated to 100m, while 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 movement runs at a much higher frequency than standard quartz, which makes it noticeably more accurate.
Is the Lunar Pilot worth stepping up to over the Marine Star?
If you value accuracy, sapphire glass and watch history, yes. If you need water resistance and a steel bracelet, the Marine Star serves you better.
Which has the more scratch-resistant glass?
The Lunar Pilot uses sapphire crystal. The Marine Star uses mineral glass, which picks up scratches more easily over years of wear.
Does the Lunar Pilot glow in the dark?
It has luminous hands and markers, but owners consistently say the lume is weak and fades fast. Do not count on it for night reading.
Which is easier to live with day to day?
Both are quartz, so neither needs winding. The Marine Star's bracelet suits water and sweat; the Lunar Pilot's leather strap wears out faster, though the included nylon strap is more durable.

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  • Bulova Lunar Pilot Chronograph vs Bulova Men's Marine Star Chronograph Watch
  • Bulova Lunar Pilot Chronograph vs Bulova Surveyor Automatic 96B469

Buying guides that pick them

  • Best Bulova watches for men and women
Bulova
—
Model/Ref96B256—
Band MaterialStainless Steel—
Dial ColourBlue—
Water Resistance100m / 10ATM—
STRAP—Leather
Style—Wrist
Chronograph—Yes
Water Resistant—Yes
Watch Movement—Quartz
Scratch-Resistant—Yes
Case Size—43.5mm case
Glass—Mineral, Sapphire
Weight (oz)—4.0
Watch Strap Width (")—0.787402
Water Protection—5 ATM (50m)
SizeMixed
The large case gives strong wrist presence but may be too big for smaller wrists.