After fifty years from the mission that brought the man on the Moon, the Speedmaster is an icon and, to celebrate it, the auction house Sotheby’s dedicated a theme auction to the object that timed the Apollo 11 mission.
Let’s start with the past
There was no love lost between USA and USSR and, instead of facing directly, the conflict was battled on technological progresses and quickly moved to…the sky. After Soviets sent Jurij Gagarin in orbit, winning the primacy, Americans decided to leave an indelible mark to overtake the Soviet glory.
This being the goal, the 16th July 1969, Neil Armstrong, Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin and Michael Collins took off from the Kennedy Space Center, for what probably is the most famous journey ever.
Four days later, the coveted goal was achieved with the actual Moon landing. You can watch pictures of Armstrong getting off the moon module to just imagine the emotions 600 million people lived when they watched it live.
Cherry on top of the Apollo program, apotheosis of progress and human limits extension, the man on the moon marked an era and a big step for the United States in a delicate period like the Cold War.
The beginning of an era
We all know that it was “one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind”, but despite for our species, the moon landing was a big leap for Omega as well.
Every respectable collector have seen, at least once, this famous picture of Buzz Aldrin. And how not to notice Buzz’s wrist…
Paired with its Velcro strap, intended for space suits, we clearly see an Omega Speedmaster. We could say, without many doubts, that this historic picture contains this great model’s luck.
“Flight Qualified by NASA”, “First watch worn on the Moon”, “Moonwatch”… there are many attributes to the Speedmaster, almost none on the speed, countless on the Moon.
To the Moon and Back
Today, at 50 years from that exciting day, enthusiasts and magazines from all over the world are thrilling for the “Moon Week”. Like them, we put our spotlight on this event and the watch that has always accompanied it.
More than us, Sotheby’s rode the tides, presenting a themed auction “To the Moon and Back”. The 50 lots have been sold in New York the 19th and 20th of July and ItalianWatchSpotter has a surprise for you.
Being always careful to the global market, we couldn’t miss this occasion and so we actually went to take a look to this auction that will go down in history. Here there are our favorites.
Lot 20
There is no doubt the Speedmaster ref. 2915, only produced in the two-year period of ’57-’59, is one of the most coveted by collectors, as proved by the estimate price of 107/160.000€ (120/180.000$). This watch, in remarkable conditions, features an important detail: the faded bezel looks like there is actually none. Is believed that some examples from this reference never had paint on the graduated bezel readings.
Lots 10 and 40
As previously, this ref. 2915-1 comes with “Broad-Arrow” hands and the 321 caliber. Together with the previous (Lot 10) and the next (Lot 40), they are three excellent Speedmaster examples, in stunning conditions and some of the most sought- after by collectors. The absence of crown-guards, the bracelet and the patina demand for a significant premium, as proved by almost 220.000€ (250.000$) of Lot 40 and the estimate of Lot 10.
Lot 21
Retailer-signed dials are pure adrenaline during auctions. And if we’re talking about Tiffany & Co. it’s even more thrilling.
We’re used to see this signature on two brands, Rolex and Patek Philippe, but we can find other maisons too. Among these, Omega is one with no debate, and we can see an example right in front of us.
Reference 105.012-65, from 1966, well-aged and preserved, represents a gem for who’s looking to celebrate the moon acquiring an extra rare piece. Auctioned on the 19th of July, it scored around 27.000€ (30.000$).
Lot 17
Although the Speedmaster is connected to the Moon in a very special way, the space mission wasn’t just a starting point, but mainly an arrival point. It wasn’t a case if the watch was chosen for the Moon flight…
Over the years, the maison committed to reach the high durability and reliability standards for the use on the field, especially military ones. Witnessed by the Alaska Project model, named after the homonymous project, with the red aluminum case protector.
This is not the chosen for missions, but something way rarer… an Alaska III prototype, with 861 movement. Sold for 167.000€ (187.500$), this Speedmaster is the apotheosis of this model: particular, probably one off, witness of the brand’s enormous researches. A piece of history with 6 hands…
Do you notice a similarity with a recent “Speedy”? Ask yourself why…
Lot 34
Moon and Speed seem not to scare this model. But what for who’s not racing or leaving for a space mission? The pulsometric scale definitely is the most practical option for the ones interested to measure their heartrate instead of the speed of their car.
For this ref. 105.003.64, cal 321, the hammer scored a price of around 14.000€ (16.250$).
Lots 13 and 49
Strange but true…
In the same room both Apollo 11 were auctioned: the original from 1969 and the re-edition from 2019.
Incredibly, this year’s version (you can find the details here) defeated the vintage one, surprising us.
The 145.022-69 (Lot 49) is on everyone’s lip since the 145.022-69 (Lot 13) was released, if not before. Highly important historical watch, difficult to find in this condition, is further rarer because of its very limited production. With the release of the commemorative model, it was easy to predict a significant revaluation, but the auction has flipped the expectations.
42.000€ (47.500$) for the “historic” versus 61.000€ (68.750$) for the new. A 20.000€ gap that we can only explain with the audience’s enormous want to have one, or the speculation intent of someone.
Has Omega joined the waiting lists trend and crazy market prices compared to lists?
We don’t know, but we happily join these festive days atmosphere of Moon landing celebrations, hoping that we brought you some curiosity in the Speedmaster, remembering that behind this icon there’s a world and a culture that are part of the mankind, not just horology.
Translated by Lorenzo Spolaor (@lorenzospolaor)
