Under the Hammer: Neil Armstrong’s Omega Speedmaster and the Astronaut Watches That Captivated Collectors
At RR Auction, we’ve had the honor of presenting some of the most remarkable artifacts in space history. Few categories have captivated collectors and enthusiasts quite like the Apollo 11 commemorative 18K gold Omega Speedmaster Professional watches. These timepieces, designed not just as instruments of precision but as tokens of human achievement, have become some of the most prized objects in horology and space memorabilia.
As we prepare to offer Neil Armstrong’s personal 18K gold Omega Speedmaster Professional (Lot #7000), we reflect on these watches’ extraordinary legacy and the record-breaking results that have marked their appearances on the auction block.
Lot #7000: Neil Armstrong’s Gold Omega Speedmaster
Neil Armstrong’s watch, presented to him on November 25, 1969, at a gala dinner at Houston’s Hotel Warwick, is widely regarded as the most important Omega Speedmaster in existence. Bearing the special caseback inscription: “Astronaut Neil A. Armstrong, Gemini 8 – Apollo 11” and the iconic phrase, “To mark man’s conquest of space with time, through time, on time,” it is a piece that goes beyond craftsmanship — it is history you can hold in your hand. The upcoming auction represents an unprecedented opportunity to own the personal timepiece of the first man on the moon.
As Bobby Livingston, Executive VP at RR Auction, said:
“When Neil Armstrong stepped onto the moon, he was wearing an Omega Speedmaster, and Omega created these Apollo gold commemorative watches with that image in mind. The auction of Armstrong’s Speedmaster celebrating Apollo 11 with 50 percent of the funds going to charity is an amazing opportunity to acquire the most important Omega out there.”
Media coverage highlights the watch’s exceptional importance and unique history:
“The chance to own a Speedmaster owned by Neil Armstrong—or, more specifically, an incredible commemorative piece of history not just with his name on it but frequently worn by him—is a compelling opportunity for collectors.”
“An original astronaut-owned 18K gold Speedmaster “Tribute to Astronauts” would be next-level and possibly grail material. If Neil Armstrong owned the watch, we could ditch the “possibly.”
GQ:
“Armstrong’s watch evokes strong feelings of pride for many, especially those who were lucky enough to hear him utter those now-famous words on television in the summer of 1969. “
The Market’s Fascination with Astronaut Omega Watches
Currently Available: Edgar Mitchell’s Gold Omega Speedmaster Professional (Lot #7287)
As anticipation builds for the Armstrong auction, collectors can also currently bid on astronaut Edgar Mitchell’s personal Omega Speedmaster Professional, another superb example of Omega’s iconic 18K gold Apollo commemorative watches. Mitchell, the Apollo 14 Lunar Module Pilot and sixth person to walk on the Moon, received this special watch as part of the same prestigious series. With bidding already reaching $58,564 and expected to exceed $100,000, this lot (closing on April 17) underscores the ongoing appeal and market enthusiasm surrounding astronaut-owned Omega watches.
Previous Highlights:
Wally Schirra’s 18K Gold Omega Speedmaster Professional 1969 Apollo 11 Commemorative Watch
Sold For: $1,906,954 (w/BP)
Estimate: $250,000+
Auction #646 – October 20, 2022
Schirra’s gold Speedmaster — the very same commemorative edition — set a record for the most expensive Omega Speedmaster ever sold. It underscored the immense value collectors place on provenance, rarity, and the stories these watches tell.
Gus Grissom’s 18K Gold Omega Speedmaster Professional 1969 Apollo 11 Commemorative Watch
Sold For: $375,000 (w/BP)
Estimate: $350,000+
Auction #664 – April 20, 2023
Gus Grissom, one of the Mercury Seven and a pivotal figure in early spaceflight, was honored with his own gold Speedmaster. Despite his tragic death in the Apollo 1 accident, his watch carried forth his legacy and found a place of reverence in the collecting world.
Alan Bean’s 18K Gold Omega Speedmaster Professional 1969 Apollo 11 Commemorative Watch
Sold For: $302,500 (w/BP)
Estimate: $200,000+
Auction #664 – April 20, 2023
Alan Bean, the fourth man to walk on the moon, also had his gold Speedmaster come to auction — a testament to the reverence collectors have for each astronaut’s unique journey.
Ron Evans’s 18K Gold Omega Speedmaster Professional Watch
Sold For: $296,738 (w/BP)
Estimate: $100,000+
Auction #664 – April 20, 2023
Ron Evans, Command Module Pilot on Apollo 17, received his gold Speedmaster as part of the same tradition. The results continue to show just how meaningful these watches are in the collector community.
Richard Gordon’s 18K Gold Omega Speedmaster Professional 1969 Apollo 11 Commemorative Watch
Sold For: $138,908 (w/BP)
Estimate: $100,000+
Auction #691 – April 25, 2024
Richard Gordon’s watch further illustrated the strong demand for these commemorative pieces, each one a lasting reminder of the Apollo program’s legacy.
The Upcoming Sale: A Historic Moment
Neil Armstrong’s watch will be sold live at the Royal Sonesta in Cambridge, Massachusetts, at 6 p.m. ET on April 17, 2025. For collectors, historians, and enthusiasts alike, this moment represents more than just an opportunity to acquire an incredible watch — it is a chance to hold a piece of history.
Half of the hammer price from this historic auction will be donated to charities selected by Neil’s son, Mark Armstrong, “This watch, which my father liked to wear on special occasions, symbolizes one of the most remarkable achievements in the history of mankind,” said Mark Armstrong, son of the late Astronaut. “A substantial portion of the proceeds from the sale of this watch will benefit charitable causes my father believed in, furthering the impact that he and many other Americans made to humanity more than half a century ago.” Following Armstrong’s lead, the current owner has also decided to donate a portion of the proceeds to The Brian LaViolette Scholarship Foundation of Wisconsin.
Stay tuned for more information, images, and coverage as we approach this extraordinary sale.
RR Auction has a remarkable track record with historic space watches, including the Apollo 15 Lunar Surface Chronograph, which sold for $1,592,500 in October 2015, and Edgar Mitchell’s Apollo 14-flown Rolex GMT-Master’ Pepsi’, which achieved $2,163,199 in October 2024 — one of only two Apollo-flown Rolex watches ever sold at auction. Armstrong’s gold Speedmaster now follows in this tradition of exceptional, record-setting offerings.
