No, of course, it’s not what he wore on the moon. The Speedmaster Master Professional 105.012 with NASA serial number 46, worn by Neil Armstrong on the Apollo 11, is on display at the National Aerospace Museum in Washington, DC. He talks about the watch he received at a famous banquet dinner held in Houston, Texas on November 25th, 1969. RR Auctions will be offering this Gold Speedmaster “Homage to Astronauts” on April 17, 2025.
Neil Armstrong 18K Gold Speedmaster “Homage to Astronauts” – Image: RR Auction
“An homage to astronauts”
In the evening of 1969 at the Warwick Hotel in Houston, Omega unveiled the 26 Gold Speedmaster Professional Ref. B145.022-69 Watches from 23 astronauts (and after death to astronauts who died in the Apollo 1 accident). The brand then offered NASA astronauts eight more watches, with missions from that day onwards. Additionally, two Apollo 13 astronauts received several editions. This adds up to 36 clocks to be presented to NASA astronauts. I’ve covered the story many times here at Fratello. If you want to know more about this particular watch, here is the guide to Gold Speedmaster BA145.022-69. At Omega’s Museum in Beer, Switzerland, you can find two Gold Speedmaster watches offered to President Nixon and Vice President Agnew. You can also see the Speedmaster “Homage to Astronauts” model there, including one that belonged to astronaut Ken Mattingly.
December 1969, Paris’ Neil Armstrong wears his Gold Speedmaster “Homage to the Astronauts”
Value of Neil Armstrong’s Speedmaster BA145.022-69
In recent years we have witnessed quite a few auctions of Gold Speedmaster “Homage to Astronauts” refs. BA145.022-69 watch. Some of these gold moonwatches have gotten exceptional prices.
Wally Shillra wearing his Gold Speedmaster Professional BA145.022-69
For example, Wally Schirra was sold for USD 1.9 million (including buyer premium), while those belonging to Apollo 11 astronaut Michael Collins won USD 765,000 at auction. Apollo 13 Astronaut Jack Swiggart’s watch won US$152,400. The Omega Museum purchased the Gold Syra Watch. Neil Armstrong’s Gold Speedmaster (No. 17) disappeared in the 1980s, according to Larry McGlyn, who was passionate about Space Objects and appeared on the Space Dealer show. But it resurfaced a few years ago, with rumors spreading that the watch would be sold or auctioned. It appears that day will be April 17th, 2025.
Image: RR Auction
According to RR auctions, half of the hammer price on the watch will go to charities. These are chosen by Neil’s son, Mark Armstrong. He said, “This watch, which my father loved to wear on special occasions, represents one of the most notable achievements in human history.” The Gold Speedmaster estimate is over 2 million US dollars.
Neil Armstrong, 2nd from the right – Image: Archives des Lavilles des Montreal
Armstrong wore it frequently
Of the 36 Omega Speedmaster “Homage to Astronauts,” Space Watch’s Buff Philippe Corneil identified 24 NASA astronauts wearing photos he found. Neil Armstrong wore his 18K Gold Speedmaster professional BA145.022-69 several times in the first few years since he received his watch.
Neil Armstrong wears Gold Speedmaster while appearing in California – Image: Ralph Spitzen / University of Cincinnati
Armstrong lived a somewhat quiet life after Apollo 11, and was a professor at the University of Cincinnati from 1972 to 1980. Later in his life he made several public appearances (I witnessed it in 2009, including Baselworld). His 18K Gold Speedmaster “Atmograph to Astronauts” had already disappeared by then.
Image: RR Auction
Which astronaut received which number?
Fortunately, you’ll get an overview of all the watches from the 18K Gold Speedmaster Professional BA145.022-69 assigned to NASA Astronauts. As mentioned in this article, numbers 1 and 2 were provided to the President of the United States and Vice Presidents.
#3 Al Shepard (Mercury-Redstone 3, Apollo 14) #4 Gus Grissom (Mercury-Redstone 4, Gemini 3, Apollo 1) #5 John Glenn (Mercury-Atlas 6, STS-95) 8, Gemini 6A, Apollo 7) #9 John Young (Gemini 3, Gemini 10, Apollo 10, Apollo 16, STS-1, STS-9) #10 Ed White (Gemini 4, Apollo 1) Thomas Stafford (Gemini 6A, Gemini 9A, Apollo 10, Apollo Soyuz Test Project) #14 Jim Lovell (Gemini 7, Gemini 12, Apollo 8, Apollo 13) 8, Apollo 11) #18 Gene Sernan (Gemini 9A, Apollo 10, Apollo 17) #19 Michael Collins (Gemini 10, Apollo 11) #20 Dick Gordon (Gemini 11, Apollo 12, Apollo 18) 7) #24 Bill Anders (Apollo 8) #1004 Al Worden (Apollo 15) #1005 Charlie Duke (Apollo 16) #1006 Ken Mattingly (Apollo 16, STS-4, STS-51-C) #1007 Ron Evans (Apollo 17) #1008 Jack Schmitt (Apollo 17)
And of course, two more 18K Speedmasters were presented to Jackswegert and Fred Heys.
Image: RR Auction
Some thoughts on Armstrong’s “Homage to Astronauts” watches
It’s no secret that I love Gold Speedmaster BA145.022-69. When I bought my first Speedmaster in 1999, I happened to run into someone who owned one of the commercial versions (with a different inscription on the caseback). The watch made a big impression on me, and I promised to get it as much as I could. The 50th annual re-edit of 2019 often appears on my wrist. I think this is one of the best Speedmaster models Omega has ever released.
Owned by the original astronaut, the 18K Gold Speedmaster “Homage to the Astronauts” is at the next level, perhaps the Holy Grail. If Neil Armstrong owns the watch, he can throw away “probably.” In particular, considering the last few auctions of this BA145.022-69, the estimate of USD 2 million is steep. But it belonged to Neil Armstrong, the first man of the moon. It’s not the watch he wore on the moon, but as you can see in the images, it lives a rough life. Considering the current market, it would be surprising if it was over a million dollars. I hope Omega will bid on this watch. Because what is a better place than a branded museum in Beer, Switzerland?
All information about this auction can be found on the RR Auction website.
Thank you for his excellent work on identifying astronaut clock photography.
