Watch components rarely come up for debate, and among the least contested is the crown. With deep-rooted origins dating back over a century, the crown’s primarily been responsible for two vital functions: winding the movement and setting the time. Minerva, now operating independently, has dared to challenge this convention. In a bold demonstration of innovative craftsmanship, Minerva presents ‘The Unveiled Crownless’, a vestige that pulls from intriguing facets of the firm’s rich history.
Lovers of horological history will well recognise the revered Bulova Lunar Pilot. An iconic timepiece, the watch’s progenitor was a prototype chronograph model donned on the lunar surface by Apollo 15 Commander David Scott in 1971. Since its reissue a decade ago, it has undergone several iterations, each adding its unique charm to the proud lineage. The latest in this stream, the limited edition Bulova Lunar Pilot Black Hole, steps forward as the most compact and strikingly dramatic progeny of its predecessor.
Presented in an intriguing, shadowy 41mm configuration, this awe-inspiring timepiece is no stranger to interest and intrigue. The defining characteristic of the Lunar Pilot Black Hole is its truly black dial, coated entirely with Musou Black, a Japanese acrylic paint known for absorbing nearly all light, making it almost equal to the famed Vantablack.