Handled a couple of rare Speedies at the Christies Preview

maxtor71 · Oct 20, 2015

So I got invited to the Christies auction preview and they had 13 of the 50 Speedmasters they're going to auction in December. I got fixated on a few but mainly these two beauties. Have to thank @DLT222 for this because I almost didn't go until he nudged me via iMessage.

The yellow gold Speedy is an astronaut watch. It belonged to Ronald E. Evans and is number 1007. Numbers 1001 to 1008 were presented by Omega to astronauts that were part of the Apollo missions 14 to 17. It has never been polished and the bracelet is quite loose, which means it was probably worn consistently. It has been with the Evans family since the flight of Apollo 17. The caseback has all the relevant details.

The stainless steel Speedy is the 1976 limited edition Apollo-Soyuz ref. 145.022. This is number 209 and it is so much more than just a interesting dial job. I could not get over how light the watch is because of that Omega 1168/633 bracelet.

Both have very high estimates, so I'm curious to see what happens come December.

Jones in LA · Oct 20, 2015

"...the bracelet is quite loose, which means it was probably worn consistently."

I think Pete Conrad (Apollo 12 moon walker) was a regular wearer of his gold Speedmaster as well. Here's a shot of Conrad during training for the Skylab 2 mission.

[click on image to see in higher resolution]

maxtor71 · Oct 20, 2015

Jones in LA
"...the bracelet is quite loose, which means it was probably worn consistently."

I think Pete Conrad (Apollo 12 moon walker) was a regular wearer of his gold Speedmaster as well. Here's a shot of Conrad during training for the Skylab 2 mission.

[click on image to see in higher resolution]

Cheers for that picture. If Omega handed me a solid gold Speedy, I'd wear it consistently as well I think 😉.

Max

TNTwatch · Oct 20, 2015

Jones in LA
"...the bracelet is quite loose, which means it was probably worn consistently."

I think Pete Conrad (Apollo 12 moon walker) was a regular wearer of his gold Speedmaster as well. Here's a shot of Conrad during training for the Skylab 2 mission.

[click on image to see in higher resolution]

Bracelet is definitely different. May not be the same watch.

marturx · Oct 20, 2015

Looks like a Rolex DD?

georgetownhoya · Oct 20, 2015

Great meeting you, Max!

maxtor71 · Oct 20, 2015

georgetownhoya
Great meeting you, Max!

And you [emoji4]. Thanks for putting up with my consistent requests to 'see that one' [emoji6].

Max

watchlovr · Oct 20, 2015

Yup, looks like a president bracelet from a DD to me.

marturx
Looks like a Rolex DD?

Geordie · Oct 20, 2015

thanks for sharing Max

Jones in LA · Oct 20, 2015

I wondered about that bracelet also, and the clasp in particular. There are many photos of Conrad wearing this watch in the Skylab archives, but the watch is always worn on the inside of wrist.

Take a look at this detail from an official NASA portrait of Conrad, taken around the time of the Skylab mission. Does this help in the watch ID ?

marturx · Oct 21, 2015

Definitely no chronograph

dsio · Oct 21, 2015

What little you can see of the caseback looks pretty Rolexish

Kringkily · Oct 21, 2015

It is a rolex that little crown at the clasp

blubarb · Oct 21, 2015

It's a personal thing i know, but a gold speedy does nothing for me - absolutely nix and I don't care who owned it (unless it was Michael Collins 😀 )

shoota70 · Oct 21, 2015

Couldn't disagree more. Solid gold Speedmaster is awesome!!

blubarb · Oct 21, 2015

Love your Pogue though. 😀