23 stainless steel Speedmasters. I'd be bidding myself of course, except I only have 200k to last me to the end of the month when I get paid .

 

I saw it but decided not take a risk with the recent uproar by another member on OF posting about an auction. Don't think members want to get in a big crowd to avoid bidding against to many people.

 

But there are much more than 5 of those cases...

 

I only wish.........excellent

 

I’m sorry if I missed the original discussion, but is there anything wrong with posting about auctions here? These are advertised events, and I would think that would not only be of interest to members here (a number of whom may be getting mail from any given auction house anyways), but MOST importantly, it engages the community discussions here that provide scrutiny but more importantly, caveats, if something is off.

 

It was meant as an insider joke hence the emoticons as this auction listing will only be for the deep pocketed collectors, contrary to this thread which was really polarizing between 2 sides where the OP got blamed for outting it.

 

23 watches all the same? This is really a wholesale auction. I'd have thought with the discount for bulk it won't go for more than about $8k tops.

 

No need to bid in an auction. I called my OB and put down a deposit. It's a sure thing now.

 

Well, the gentleman or lady who bought the collection in June 27, 2015 must have a big smile on his/her face...

Lot 970 of 1689:1997 Omega Speedmaster Mission Collection
Lot closed - Winning bid:$44,000 (1 bid)

• Buyers Premium of 20.00% added to each and every lot

ESTIMATE: $80,000 - $100,000

• 
• 
• 
• 

• Description:
  
  1997 Omega Speedmaster Mission Collection. Complete set of 23 stainless steel automatic chronograph bracelet watches plus a see through movement (Caliber 1861) and a loupe all housed in special presentation case that is made from the same material as was used in space suits. There were 40 such sets made by Omega in 1997, the 40th anniversary of the first Omega Speedmaster made in 1957. This is set #14. Twenty two (22) of the 23 watches honor individual manned space missions with a depiction of the patch for that mission on the face. The 23rd watch was termed a "replica" (probably not a fair assessment of the beautiful watch) by Omega of the 1957 Speedmaster. Missions honored include Gemini V through Gemini XII, Apollo VII through Apollo XVII and Skylab I through Skylab III (Skylab 2 through Skylab 4). Each watch is Caliber 1861 and has 18 jewels, matte black dial, small seconds, minute and hour counters, three part case, brushed and polished, tachymetric bezel, screw down back, stainless steel Omega bracelet, case, dial and movement signed. Each watch has an engraved inscription on reverse reading "Flight-Qualified By NASA For All Manned Space Missions, The First Watch Worn On The Moon." The case top reads "OMEGA Speedmaster MISSIONS" and displays the Omega logo. There are also three 4" diameter metal portholes on the case top through which one can see the watch faces of the 1957 Speedmaster, Gemini V and Skylab III, respectively, when the case is closed. Also includes two keys for metal case locks, International Warranty card marked 14/40 and a COA. There are also three booklets that include Worldwide Service Centres Network, Operating Instruction and Space Missions description booklet. The latter booklet (section of pages loose) describes a few details of the each mission, crew members and description of the patch depicted on the watch face. Top left edge of the case is split along the seam, some aging to case exterior and some wear to interior with red interior lining requiring reattachment to case sides. The watches are all new, never worn and in working order. A rare set that is seldom offered at public auction.
  Estimated Value $80,000 - 100,000.

Source: https://www.goldbergcoins.com/m/lot-details/index/catalog/43/lot/94042/

 

Actually, I didn't say there were 40 sets made, but Goldberg auction house definitely did in the their description. Interesting that the current auction lists the item as being 01 or 05. Maybe a space suit is included in these five?

 

Some information out of Moonwatch Only.
Just like in fine art prints beside the standard edition of forty they made five sets as 'épreuves d'artiste' and five as not for sale sets.
These are numbered in roman numerals.

 

This was my intention but it went from 0 to 100 real quick!
Moral of the story; its allowed until moderator contacts you

 

So, no spacesuits? I'm only up to page 256 of "Moonwatch Only"... otherwise, I would have known that.

 

That's some great sleuthing by you...... Nice info

Thanks

 

So, is this a good way to get into Speedmaster collecting, and be done with it in one fell swoop?
No more of that tedious hunting one piece at a time...

 

A pity they weren’t made in the part of ‘97 when they would have had the last batch of tritium dial with that beautiful toffee colored lume...

 

Some would happy that the luminova will never die.

 

Do you think it was intentional of Omega to make the briefcase clasp look like an alien head/face?



... I will see myself out

 

‘What is dead may never die’ - Theon Greyjoy / The Religion of the Drowned God