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

  1. TLIGuy Mar 23, 2015

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    Edited Mar 24, 2015
    pitpro and DLT222 like this.
  2. lwong Mar 23, 2015

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    I suppose it should be fair that the auction price for an astronaut's timepiece is, well, astronomic!
     
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  3. TLIGuy Mar 24, 2015

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    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
     
  4. dsio Ash @ ΩF Staff Member Mar 24, 2015

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    Interesting, that's actually the same model Robert-Jan has with the sapphire caseback (the first one)
     
  5. TLIGuy Mar 24, 2015

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    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.
     
  6. dsio Ash @ ΩF Staff Member Mar 24, 2015

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    His is the same 80s one from the German market yea, first of the gold displayback models
     
  7. dsio Ash @ ΩF Staff Member Mar 24, 2015

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    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:

    [​IMG]

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

    [​IMG]

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

    [​IMG]

    Have a read of the article but I'm fairly sure this isn't the watch Stafford was personally wearing that Fratello photographed.
     
  8. Robert-Jan #SpeedyTuesday Mar 24, 2015

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    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).

    [​IMG]

    H18855-L71069954.jpg
     
  9. pitpro Likes the game. Mar 28, 2015

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    this one goes in a few minutes
     
  10. pitpro Likes the game. Mar 28, 2015

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    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.
     
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  11. pitpro Likes the game. Mar 28, 2015

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  12. oddboy Zero to Grail+2998 In Six Months Mar 28, 2015

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

    :whistling:
     
  13. Fost Mar 28, 2015

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    i didn't even know about ebay live auction !! thanks for the link !! amazing
     
  14. pitpro Likes the game. Mar 28, 2015

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    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
     
  15. oddboy Zero to Grail+2998 In Six Months Mar 28, 2015

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    Still, no one here should buy. ;)
     
  16. pitpro Likes the game. Mar 28, 2015

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    19% buyer premium
     
  17. pitpro Likes the game. Mar 28, 2015

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    $10,500
    CHEAP!
     
  18. Fost Mar 28, 2015

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    10.5 K !
     
  19. AAAKK First listing in the ΩF B2B phone book Mar 28, 2015

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    Seems like that will turn out to be a very wise investment
     
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  20. pitpro Likes the game. Mar 28, 2015

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    absolutely!
    hope one of the brothers bought it