Deep pockets gets you an Astronaut's gold Speedmaster....

TLIGuy · Mar 23, 2015

This will probably go for more than my pockets can handle but I know there are some serious collectors here that may have interest in it.

http://www.invaluable.com/auction-l...mega-speedmaster-professiona-240-c-fa0483bb28

lwong · Mar 23, 2015

I suppose it should be fair that the auction price for an astronaut's timepiece is, well, astronomic!

TLIGuy · Mar 24, 2015

I think I'm just entertaining myself with this thread but what the heck.

Must be tax season or spring cleaning because astronauts are selling off quite a few great items in the next few weeks.

Screen Shot 2015-03-24 at 8.58.23 AM.jpg

dsio · Mar 24, 2015

Interesting, that's actually the same model Robert-Jan has with the sapphire caseback (the first one)

TLIGuy · Mar 24, 2015

I can't recall if RJ's was a later model or this earlier edition. This is from the same lot as Schirra's watch that was highlighted a few weeks ago.

dsio · Mar 24, 2015

TLIGuy
I can't recall if RJ's was a later model or this earlier edition. This is from the same lot as Schirra's watch that was highlighted a few weeks ago.

His is the same 80s one from the German market yea, first of the gold displayback models

dsio · Mar 24, 2015

Here's Robert-Jan's article on Tom Stafford's 18K Omega Speedmaster:

http://www.fratellowatches.com/astronauts-speedmaster

The interesting thing is the number on the caseback of Stafford's watch that he wore was No. A 217 as you can see here:

The one from the auction has a different engraving of No. A 145

Also the General's is clearly engraved, which isn't shown in the auction but is in the article.

Have a read of the article but I'm fairly sure this isn't the watch Stafford was personally wearing that Fratello photographed.

Robert-Jan · Mar 24, 2015

Thanks @dsio , the watch above is Tom Stafford's personal Speedmaster. I haven't seen him with the 1969 model, also not on recent photos. This 1980 model (made from 1980 - 1988) he received in 1984 or so. There are approx 300 made, and the first half went to Germany, which actually means that chances are big that 145 could have originally be sent to Germany. But that is something that can be found out easily by contacting the Omega Archives.

The big question is whether this A145 was ever in the possession of Tom Stafford. You have to know that Stafford was involved as a board member of Omega USA in those years. It might be the case that he ordered one for a friend of his (or something). His own piece he received from Omega, with an engraving in the case band (as can be seen above). Another weird thing is the box. Would Omega really send a watch like that in a box like that? Not sure. There are a lot of questions about this Stafford connection. The watch is genuine though, not a doubt about it. Even without the Stafford connection it is a great piece to own (I have one as well indeed, a 1980 produced model, nr A.63, originally shipped to Germany according to its extract of the archives).

pitpro · Mar 28, 2015

this one goes in a few minutes

pitpro · Mar 28, 2015

Here's yesterday's update from Ben at Hodinkee:
Now somebody buy it!
Last week, I showed you a 1980s gold Speedmaster that was originally General Tom Stafford’s. I confirmed with the Stafford Air & Space Museum that General Stafford did say the story provided in the auction is correct. We received further information that General Stafford ordered two watches after his original gold Speedmaster from 1969 was stolen at a hotel at the Dallas Airport in 1985. We all should keep an eye out for that watch. General Stafford did sell his spare gold Speedmaster to the individual who has put it up for auction. The gentlemen contacted General Stafford to ask permission to sell the watch to pay medical expenses (he is in his 80s and has had some health difficulties). General Stafford approved the sale.

pitpro · Mar 28, 2015

http://www.live.ebay.com/lvx/livebidding/5515ad45e4b0f6661d20827d?item=181701831287

oddboy · Mar 28, 2015

Zero feedback seller. I'd never buy and neither should anyone else here!

😗

Fost · Mar 28, 2015

i didn't even know about ebay live auction !! thanks for the link !! amazing

pitpro · Mar 28, 2015

oddboy
Zero feedback seller. I'd never buy and neither should anyone else here!

😗

oddboy it's a Vegas auction sponsored by eBay
it's ok. new thing ebay is doing it's LIVE
it's been well covered. guess you missed it

oddboy · Mar 28, 2015

pitpro
oddboy it's a Vegas auction sponsored by eBay
it's ok. new thing ebay is doing it's LIVE

Still, no one here should buy. 😉

pitpro · Mar 28, 2015

19% buyer premium

pitpro · Mar 28, 2015

$10,500
CHEAP!

Fost · Mar 28, 2015

10.5 K !

AAAKK · Mar 28, 2015

Seems like that will turn out to be a very wise investment

pitpro · Mar 28, 2015

AAAKK
Seems like that will turn out to be a very wise investment

absolutely!
hope one of the brothers bought it