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Apollo 14 astronaut’s personal Rolex watch that flew on the moon sold for a record $2.2 million

Harry October 26, 2024

The Rolex watch taken to the moon has now become the most expensive astronaut watch sold at auction.

personal GMT-Master stopwatch Worn by NASA astronaut Edgar Mitchell As lunar module pilot in 1971 Apollo 14 The mission sold for $2.2 million (or more accurately, $2,163,199) on Thursday, October 24. The watch attracted more than 30 bids during RR Auction’s latest space-themed sale, which took place on the New Hampshire firm’s website starting September 26.

Hammer price (before buyer’s premium) monthThe price of the airlifted Rolex, one of only two Rolexes known to have been sold, was $1,730,559. Before the sale began, RR Auction estimated that the watch would sell for more than $400,000.

“We are very excited about the result because Ed Mitchell’s Apollo Rolex RR had previously auctioned off Blue Origin’s first seat, Bobby Livingston, RR Auction’s vice president of public relations, told CollectSPACE.com shortly after the auction ended. New Shepherd The Rolex sold for $28 million, but Mitchell’s Rolex was the most expensive physical item the company has sold since its founding in 1976.

“There’s a huge crossover interest in watch collectors who don’t necessarily collect space stuff,” Livingston said. “Watch collectors appreciate the importance of reliable timepieces used on historic lunar missions.”

Photo of an astronaut wearing a white spacesuit in a white-walled room on Earth. A watch appears on the astronaut's wrist — Apollo 14 lunar module pilot Edgar Mitchell wore his personal Rolex GMT-Master chronometer under the sleeve of his spacesuit, as can be seen in this film of him donning a pressure suit for the launch on January 31, 1971. (Image credit: NASA/RR Auction)

NASA released each Apollo Crew members will be fitted with Omega Speedmaster Professional chronographs to be used in space. “Speedy’s” were state property and today In custody of the Smithsonian.

Relating to: Apollo Program: How NASA sent astronauts to the moon

Some Apollo astronauts opted to bring a second watch. It is mostly hidden from view, as only Omega watches are allowed to be worn on the Velcro straps on astronauts’ heads. space suits, these personal clocks were largely unknown to the public.

Eagle-eyed collectors and enthusiasts “discovered” the existence of these secondary clocks by examining astronauts’ pre-launch, in-flight, and post-landing photographs. Mitchell’s Rolex can be seen in photographs and film stills taken while he was preparing for his launch on January 31, 1971, and while he was in the Apollo 14 command module. Similarly, Apollo 13 crew member Jack Swigert and Apollo 17 Astronaut Ron Evans is also known to fly his personal Rolex GMT-Masters.

Evans’ Rolex, which remained with him in lunar orbit while crewmates Gene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt landed on the moon, was sold for $131,450 (including buyer’s premium) by Dallas-based Heritage Auctions in 2009. Evans also returned from the moon with a Speedmaster that he kept as a souvenir from a science experiment. Forty-three years later, Christie’s Evans’ Omega memorabilia sold at auction For $245,000. The Swiss watchmaker acquired the rare aircraft clock for its own museum in Bienne.

That same year (2015), RR Auction sold the only non-Omega watch worn on the lunar surface over an Apollo astronaut’s spacesuit for $1.6 million (including premium). Apollo 15 commander David Scott wore his Bulova chronograph personally brought it into space on the third of his three journeys moon walks After the crystal covering his Speedmaster disappeared. NASA considered Bulova an “unauthorized watch.”

One was also sold at the RR Auction. 18 carat gold souvenir Speedmaster This watch belonged to astronaut Wally Schirra for $1.9 million in 2022. The watch remains the highest paid ever for one of 36 gold watches Omega gifted to Apollo-era astronauts, including Scott’s, that sold for $160,365 at Thursday’s auction.

A typewritten letter signed by Apollo astronaut Edgar Mitchell

Certificate of authenticity for the Rolex GMT-Master chronometer worn by Edgar Mitchell on the Apollo 14 moon mission. (Image credit: RR Auction)

RR Auction described Mitchell’s Rolex GMT-Master as “in good cosmetic condition with light scratches and wear from use.” The 40mm watch has a black dial and a blue-red bezel with a 24-hour scale (nicknamed the “Pepsi” color scheme).

“This is probably the most important Rolex ‘Pepsi’ watch on the market,” Livingston said, noting that he is not a watch expert.

The case back was engraved “Worn by Lieutenant Colonel E. Mitchell on Apollo 14, 1971, to Karlin (sic) – My daughter.” The lot also included a certificate of authenticity signed by Mitchell, certifying that “the accompanying Rolex watch was worn by me during the Apollo 14 mission.”

It is unknown whether Mitchell wore or brought a Rolex into the lunar module. Alan Shepard Whether he wore it under his spacesuit when he became the sixth human to land on or walk on the moon. Mitchell died in 2016 He is 85 years old.

The highest amount ever paid for a Rolex GMT-Master was $5.1 million ($5,124,783) spent at Christie’s in 2023 for the watch worn by Marlon Brando during the filming of the 1979 movie “Apocalypse Now.”

Semainede4jours

Semainede4jours

Apollo 14 astronaut’s personal Rolex watch that flew on the moon sold for a record $2.2 million

Harry

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Apollo 14 astronaut’s personal Rolex watch that flew on the moon sold for a record $2.2 million

Harry

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