Neil Armstrong’s iconic 1969 Omega Speedmaster Professional is set to be auctioned next month by RR Auction, with an estimated value exceeding $2 million. This rare 18-karat solid yellow gold chronograph was made to honor NASA’s historic Apollo 11 moon landing.
The watch, Ref. BA 145.022, was presented to Armstrong at a gala in Houston’s Warwick Hotel on November 25, 1969—just months after he and Buzz Aldrin walked on the moon. It is one of only 26 gold Speedmasters made as part of Omega’s Tribute to Astronauts series, given exclusively to NASA astronauts in recognition of their space missions.
Armstrong’s watch is numbered 17 and features engravings on the caseback reading: “Astronaut Neil A. Armstrong, Gemini 8 – Apollo 11,” along with the phrase “To mark man’s conquest of space with time, through time, on time.” The timepiece closely follows the classic steel Speedmaster design but comes in an 18-karat gold 44mm case. It bears some scratches on the caseback, a mark of its history worn by Armstrong himself.
The watch includes a burgundy aluminum bezel insert with a faded “dot over ninety” detail, black hands, and faceted onyx hour markers set in gold frames. It also has a gold bracelet with hollow links and a 14mm clasp. Inside, it houses Omega’s copper-colored caliber 861 movement.
Massachusetts, includes an official Omega certificate confirming the watch’s authenticity. Half of the sale’s proceeds will be donated to charities chosen by Armstrong’s son, Mark Armstrong. Mark stated, “This watch, which my father liked to wear on special occasions, symbolizes one of the most remarkable achievements in history. A substantial portion of the proceeds will benefit causes my father cared about, extending his impact beyond space exploration.”
Omega’s Speedmaster has a deep connection to space exploration, with NASA approving the model for space use in 1957. The Speedmaster became the first Omega watch in space in 1962. In recent years, other rare Speedmasters linked to Apollo missions have also appeared at auction, and the brand continues to honor its space legacy with newer Moonwatch models. However, Armstrong’s personal watch remains an unmatched collectible.
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