According to that Fratello article, it seems that an auction house did have some concerns about that issue at one point. It will be interesting to see what comes from the Extract process, as this watch REALLY needs an Extract.
If you ask NASA they'll say yes.
The grandfather legally passed it down through his will if im not mistaken to the guy.
Exactly. If it's "stolen" government property they can get it back. I wonder what happened with the other one pulled from the Bonhams auction. And I wonder if requesting an extract would somehow alert the powers that be. Sorry, not trying to be a downer it's just what popped in my head.
Exactly. If it's "stolen" government property they can get it back. I wonder what happened with the other one pulled from the Bonhams auction. And I wonder if requesting an extract would somehow alert the powers that be. Sorry, not trying to be a downer it's just what popped in my head.
@watchguy23, if you didn't already know, an extract is a document from Omega. Based on the serial number, the document will tell you what reference the movement was in when it left the factory as well as where it was sold (country location.) Sometimes there is additional information, such as the dial). It costs $150 and can be a valuable piece of authenticity. But it's just one piece in a long chain of evidence. It may or may not help in this case, as the whole purchased originally bY NASA might be outside their norms. No idea.
How many military watches end up in civilian hands? No shortages of those being sold currently on this forum. NASA shouldn't be different than Army/Navy...
Also would think there has to be something regarding the time frame as well...anyone who has spent time in the military or government has "acquired" things...perhaps "acquiring" a sleeping bag is not the same as "acquiring" a watch, but at some point, that sleeping bag will end up in a military surplus store so what is "wrongful possession" at one time is not necessarily "wrongful possession" 20-30-40 yrs later...
Particularly if the item in question has been "decommissioned".
Either way, you could take unofficial routes to ascertain the validity of the watch.
@watchguy23
Just a question that popped in my mind: Why you were not an Omega watch owner and suddenly you decided to buy this watch? 😕
As a combat vet I fully understand things get "aquired". I was thinking the same thing.
Well I bought my Panda Daytona last year and wanted it for so long and when I bought it, it really doesnt do it for me, but the Speedy does and I waited and ended up buying this one.
Very cool find; welcome to the Omega Forum. Glad you are drawn to the speedy--with the history of the space program and its early pioneers, it's a great watch to own and appreciate as a vet.
I really appreciate all of this, I really wanted to know what I had.
You're a Rolex fan. Imagine you went to a Rolex watch site and said i just found this watch that says COMEX and Submariner. Imagine their reaction. There would be a lot of questions, including some healthy speculation.
It's kindof like that, but bigger.
