Strap Guide: Bulova Lunar Pilot

Strap Guide written by @sidswatchlife. Thank you Sid!

Introduction

The Bulova Lunar Pilot reference number 96B251 has a rich history, being one of the watches to make it to the Moon in 1971 during Apollo 15 by Colonel Dave Scott. This watch started as a prototype, but then in 2016 Bulova released the Lunar Pilot with a case size of 45mm makes this watch a bit big on the wrist, but not big enough to look distracting. The 2016 Lunar Pilot comes with a lug width of 20mm, which newer Lunar Pilots followed to have same lug with and makes it widely available for many styles of straps. But this watch does come with a textured black leather strap and a black nylon NATO style strap. With that, I wanted to try this watch with a distinctive style of straps, ranging from different colours of leather to rubber straps. It is always easy to resort to the timeless classics of brown or black leather. But let us try some varied colour and strap options with this Strap Guide for the Bulova Lunar Pilot, and give it some much-needed love it deserves.

This strap guide is for the 2016 release of the Lunar Pilot with the 45mm case. Although with the meteorite dial being the same size and style of case, my recommendations in this Strap Guide could work with the watch. As for the 43.5mm case of the 2024 releases of the red dial and white/blue dial versions of the Lunar Pilot, the colour options could change, but at the time of writing this Strap guide, I just got the red dial (blood moon), and can confirm some of the straps I chose for the 2016 Lunar Pilot absolutely match the 2024 Red Dial Lunar Pilot. But that may have to be a future guide one day.

White Sailcloth Signature

White straps are loud, and will draw eyes to it when you match it with a contrasting outfit. If you are wearing dark colour clothing or even a leather jacket, the straps will definitely draw people’s eyes to the watch. With the chronograph and story behind the Lunar Pilot, the more eyes drawn to it, the better in case you want to explain the amazing story behind the Lunar Pilot to anyone who wants to know more about it. The sailcloth fabric is super comfortable and light, over time you will forget that you have a watch on until you look at your wrist to admire that white sailcloth on a beautiful watch like the Lunar Pilot. The texture of the sailcloth is perfect for casual or dressing up. But the white colour would be best suited for those days you just want to wear a T-shirt or a casual long-sleeved shirt with sleeves slightly rolled up just so you can show off the watch.

Matte Green Ischia Alligator

What looks good when you want to dress up? Leather straps. Leather always offers that timeless look when paired with watches. Alligator straps are one of those timeless go-to leathers, usually see black and navy coloured straps as the go-to. Let’s take a look at these Matte Green Ischia Alligator straps out. Right away these straps are not super loud but still draw eyes to them and then you end up appreciating the watch more. These straps look great when you are dressed up with a sharp looking suit, and even dressed down with a T-shirt and leather jacket for casual wear. But for straps that look this good, you just have to dress up to look just as good. They are very comfortable to wear and form a perfect fit around your wrist. The matte green colour complimenting the silver tone stainless steel of the Lunar Pilot.

Black Waffle Rubber CTS

Now I know what you are thinking, I broke my rule by resorting to black. But I wanted to see how this watch looks with the Waffle design of the Black CTS rubber straps. Rubber straps are a timeless style for casual wear, something you can throw on and be comfortable in all day and be rugged enough to handle tough work. It would have been easy to go with the smoother version of the CTS straps, but the waffle design, adds some texture to the watch that also gives it some separation from the smooth matte case design. Giving the lunar Pilot some character to stand out, especially when you take a picture of the watch. The straps when cut to size will fit perfectly around your wrist, and the CTS deployment clasp will feel comfortable on your wrist, and may even offer some fidget playing factor when you are sitting at a meeting table, or waiting for your spouse. One thing I like about Delugs CTS rubber straps are how versatile they are with the design, perfect for casual wear with T-shirts, hoodies, and leather jackets. But also, with long sleeve button shirts with the sleeve rolled up. But lets face it, the best outfit to wear with this combo is blue jeans and a nice light hoody (grey was my favourite to contrast with the straps, but a black hoody also looks great to blend the outfit more).

Taupe Epsom Slim

Looking for a leather strap that is subtle on the wrist and matches the watch perfectly with many different outfits? I highly suggest you check out the Taupe Epsom Slim Straps before you lean towards a classic black or brown leather straps. One thing I love about these straps are how well they blend in with the Bulova Lunar Pilot, the Taupe shade is a dark greyish brown colour that seems to match great with the matte silver tone Stainless steel case of the Lunar Pilot while at the same time not being super loud of a colour that can be distracting. The straps look great and are very versatile with diverse ways you dress, whether you are dressing up for a day at the office or a night out with the spouse, or when you want to dress down with a T-shirt and a pair of jeans. My recommendation, wear a nice long sleeve button shirt (dealers' choice on colour as I could see you pulling this combo off with any colour shirt) with sleeves rolled up, a perfectly fitted leather jacket (any style would do) and a great pair of blue jeans.