I was wondering what members here think about the values of two modern Speedmaster LE.

First is the 35th Apollo XI from 2004, made in 3500 pieces.


Second is the 40th Gemini IV from 2005, made in 2005 pieces.


Looking at FS-threads and Ebay it seems like the Apollo goes for a lot more than the Gemini. I think both are beautiful watches and to discuss which of them is the prettier or better is not possible.....
However I would think that the Gemini would be more valuable, fewer being made and also a bit more special with the blue sunburst reverse panda dial compared to the more common panda dial.

The real Mitsukoshi on the other hand, is super rare and also super expensive.

So dear members, please share your thoughts on these two LEs

 

Both are beautiful for sure.
Here is food for thought.
Prices are made by supply and demand.
So even if one is more scarce than the other, if the latter is more demanded than supplied then prices tends to push upwards.
This being said, list price might be different than actual selling price. It might be that the Apollo 11 version is listed high but sells for less than the actual list prices. A good indicator is to notice for how long the watch stays proposed before it trades.
Another issue concerning these watches besides their aesthetics is the event they are linked to. The Apollo 11 mission seem to have more impact in the public’s mind than the Gemini.
All items prices tend to fluctuate, and most often not in correspondances.
Finally, all goods have a sort of ceiling price at one point of time.

That’s my 2,21 cent (at actual rate) opinion, what is yours?

 

Ps: if I could, I would love to own both

 

I think your thoughts are exactly the same as mine in this matter. Apollo being more ”important” than Gemini and the demand for the Apollo versions being greater.
I think that the Gemini will be more valuable in the future, for actually being scarcer and also being a bit more unique.

My Gemini and Mitsukoshi mod says hi:

 

Think the Gemini is classified as a reverse panda.

 

Both your watches look fantastic.

I once saw a modded Gemini dial with a steel bezel on brown strap it looked fantastic as well.

 

Fixed it, thanks.

 

Food for thought: if the amount of "limited" edition watches is close to, or exceeds, the amount of the regular version of the same watch, exactly how "limited" are they?

 

I wish for a LE Grail Prototype, maybe Basel comes up with something?

 

.... called the "Speedmaster Uncle".

 

”Speedmaster UncLE”

 

Now the scarcity that you were talking of makes sense, real Mitsukoshi trade for a little more than the equivalent Apollo 11 35th anniversary.

 

The Power Marketing...

 

I have not seen a Mitsukoshi for sale but I would assume they are much more expensive than both the Apollo and Gemini version. 200 made I believe?

 

Found a recent sale here on the forum, 17500 USD.

 

I actually believe this could be true.

I am about 50% - 50% on regular Speedies vs LE Speedies.

The Decades Collection is 66% LE and 33% regular Speedies.

Also, only one of these on the below pic is an LE. Can you tell which one? In addition to the LEs that look very different to the original, they also have some LEs that have very subtle differences from the original.

 

I think the Apollo 11 LE is a little more versatile, which increases demand/popularity.

Some people love the all blue, some don't and you get a more polarized audience.

 

My two cents: I think the Gemini has been undervalued up til recently and the Apollo overvalued. At the moment, it seems like more Apollos are available for purchase in the various places than Geminis. I also think the Gemini is far more attractive, but I own one.

At some point, I decided that I’d rather spend the $10k++ on a nice 321 than an Apollo.

 

I’m gonna shoot for the far right being an early Apollo 11 30th ?