By Lawrence McGlynn
Occasionally, a watch of great rarity related to the Space Race of the Apollo Era appears in a watch or space auction. This year’s RR Auction Space Auction features two rare and distinctive examples of both a flown and presentation watch by two premier watchmakers, Rolex and Omega.
To the Moon Rolex
Edgar Mitchell’s family has placed his Rolex GMT-Master, Model 1675 up for sale in RR Auction’s Fall Space Auction ending on October 24th. Edgar wore this watch during his flight to the Moon in January 1971. There are only three Rolex GMT watches of that era known to have flown into orbit around the Moon. Jack Swigert wore one on Apollo 13 that he traded to Rolex for a new Rolex GMT, which, due to its brown bezel, earned the nickname “Root Beer.” Ron Evans took one in his PPK bag on Apollo 17, which his wife, Jan, sold at auction in 2009. Which leaves Edgar’s watch as currently the last known Rolex to have flown to the Moon during the Apollo Program.
Edgar was once asked about winding his watch during his flight and he told the interviewer, “I never worried about winding my watch because I wore a Rolex.” A statement that can be proven by looking at photographs taken during the flight.
Edgar engraved the Rolex case back, stating that it flew to the Moon as well as dedicating it to his eldest daughter, “Karlyn,” whose name the jeweler misspelled with an “I” instead of a “y.”
A further addition to the rarity and provenance of this Moon flown watch is the typed letter of authenticity directly signed by Edgar, verifying ownership and serving as proof that this Rolex flew into orbit around the Moon.
The auction is now online and bidding on Edgar’s Rolex GMT, Lot #6286, will end on October 24th.
A Night to Remember, but how…
On November 25, 1969, Omega Watch Company held an exclusive dinner at the Warwick Hotel in Houston, Texas. Nineteen Mercury, Gemini and Apollo Program astronauts who had already flown in space attended the formal dinner at Omega’s invitation. During the event, Omega presented 18K gold Omega 1969 Apollo XI Commemorative Speedmasters to each astronaut in attendance. To my knowledge, except for a small story in the Houston Chronicle at the time, there has never been any information published about this amazing event. I was told that Omega has no photographs of the event. The only way we even know of the event is through stories passed on by watch historians like Chuck Maddox.
RR Auction’s Fall Space Auction is offering Dave Scott’s gold Omega Speedmaster, serial number 16, that was gifted to Dave by Omega for his participation on the Gemini 8, Apollo 9, and, eventually, Apollo 15 spaceflights.
What makes this watch unique is that Dave provided a letter of authenticity signed directly by him. Dave added his remembrance, as an actual honoree, of his attendance at the presentation dinner to his letter of authenticity. He is one of a handful of astronaut honorees left to provide an eyewitness version of this amazing dinner.
Unlike other gold Omega 1969 Apollo XI Commemorative Speedmasters that have sold in recent years, this watch is completely original and comes directly from the moonwalker himself, along with a signed letter detailing the watch as well as the story behind the event. The provenance of this watch is truly impeccable.
Dave Scott’s 18K gold Omega Apollo XI Commemorative Speedmaster is now online at rrauction.com as lot #6311 and bidding will end on October 24th.
Final Thoughts
I have been lucky to know both Edgar and Dave over the years. We have met at each other’s homes. We have shared stories of exploration. I have assisted them with their collections including these and other watches. I have also possessed or handled numerous space flown or space related presentation watches. I feel that Edgar’s Rolex GMT-Master and Dave’s gold Omega Apollo XI Commemorative Speedmaster are two of the more interesting examples I have seen of this genre of watches that are related to the exploration of space and the Moon.
Lawrence McGlynn, Occasional Contributor.
Space Watches
From The October 24, 2024 Auction
