I was re-reading a story regarding the sale of Ed White's 105.003 at auction several years ago. I believe the price realized was 34.5k. Today, I can't imagine what it would sell for, but I would have no qualms paying double that amount. Here is the question especially for you Speedmaster enthusiasts: If you happened upon a serious collector who was selling his collection, and you had 50k to spend which would you choose from his collection, the actual watch Ed White wore for his first EVA and in the Apollo 1 tragedy OR a correct original 2915-1 in nearly new condition, with patina, and lets throw in the correct original bracelet, papers, and box? And don't try to any end-runs around the choice. There must be ONLY ONE.

 

Oh well, that disqualifies my answer. I'd let you Speedy freaks fight it out and use my $50k on a Breguet and a vintage Patek.

 

Boy, I hate autocorrect. My iPhone must not be so smart.

 

Hm, though the Speedys became only what they are due do the fantastic job of a Ed, Neil etc., I would take the perfect. 2915-1

 

MSN, I tend to agree that White's watch would bring well over 100k this time around, but the legal issues should not be a problem. My understanding is that the watch was given to White's widow after his death, which may be the only flown watch ever given away by NASA. NASA should no longer have any legal claim to it. I believe there was even a letter indicating it was given to her. Now, the question of Aldrin's watch vs White's is also a good one. I would have to give that a lot of thought. His watch would fetch over a million, I think. Although, White's watch has such incredible history. The first watch exposed to open space, and what better testimony to the Speedmaster than a watch that survived that incredible fire totally intact. I might still choose the 105.003. It's hard to imagine that 10 or 15 years ago it sold for so little. And for the record, the jury is still out on Aldrin's model. There is no conclusive evidence, but many believe it was a 145 not 105. The serial numbers of other NASA watches from the seem to indicate it is likely to be a 105, but most sources I have seen call it a 145. I still like to think it's a 145.012.

 

I'm sure my meager group would not be very impressive, but I'll see what I can dig up. Base 1000's promises to be interesting, though.

 

Chuck Maddox was a great authority with regard to Speedmasters and many other watches, but how on Earth he could ascertain whether it was a 145 or 105 from a conversation with Aldrin many decades after the watch disappeared leaves me scratching my head. I'd have to see that transcript. Did Buzz open the watch and check the numbers? I can't imagine he noted the almost impossible-to-notice difference in the word "Professional" or the subtle change in case back. How did Chuck arrive at that conclusion?
I guess we'll know when it surfaces, and I believe it will surface one day. The thief who stole it won't live forever, and if he passed it along to someone else, they will eventually find a way to let the world know who has it. We all know that half the joy in owning rare pieces is others knowing we own them. It may take another 50 years, but that watch will surface, NASA engraving and all. Imagine being the guy who has it in his safe. He can look at it every day, but it has to kill him that no one else can know where it is.

 

MSN, was the outer caseback the reason Chuck thought it was a 105? I should have been clearer: To people who study watches closely and care about the minutia, the differences in those backs seem obvious, but I can't imagine anyone expects that Buzz Aldrin, who wore the watch for uitilty and probably had no other interest in it, (until it was gone and considered a piece of priceless Americana) remembers whether the caseback had two bevels or one, or five, for that matter. This topic seems to be a sore spot for many collectors who have their own favorite and hope the first watch on the Moon was that model. I will concede that the serial number records point to a 105, but for some reason, most sources I see, based on who knows what, lean to the 145. I'd have it in my collection either way.

 

http://chronomaddox.com/omega/articles/e-mailbox_3.html
....."I have been comfortable with taking John Diethelm's word that Aldrin's watch was a 145.012."
.....
-- Chuck

http://chronomaddox.com/moonmovement.html#John_R._Diethelm
Dave S. posted, on 1 August, 2000 in the Omega Forum, an email from Omega PR (John R. Diethelm) regarding the ST 145.0120-67 model:

Dear Sir,
further to your above inquiry, we have compared your information and have therefore the following available details:
* mvt N° xxxxxxxxxx * manual winding chronograph movement of Calibre 321 - 17 jewels * case reference: ST 145.012 - stainless steel * manufactured and delivered to our Agents in Danemark on October 25, 1968.
It is confirmed that the OMEGA Speedmaster chronographs that went to the " Moon " were of identical reference as your above watch.
best regards
John R. Diethelm / Public relations​