Mention “moon watch” and automatically the Omega Speedmaster comes to mind. This iconic watch is synonymous with space traveling like no other, and many of the original Apollo astronauts in the late 60’s and early 70’s were issued with Speedmasters on their journeys. However, a few astronauts preferred to wear other watches or their liking, and 4 of them wore a Rolex. At the end of this month a Rolex GTM-Master ref. 1675, originally belonging to Apollo 14 astronaut Edgar Mitchell, will come to auction. A price north of $400,000 is expected.
Edgar Mitchell landed on the moon in the Apollo 14 lunar module on February 5, 1971 together with Alan Shepherd. He set foot on the moon as the sixth person ever, and this GMT-Master Pepsi was on his wrist. The auction house RR Auction, well-known in selling space memorabilia, claims that this specific watch is the first Rolex of only two that ever made it to the moon. A rare piece of history and mr. Mitchell must have realised that, as he made an inscription on the back, commemorating the event and dedicating the watch to Karlin, his daughter.
Edgar Mitchell died in 2016 and now the watch comes to the market. An estimate of more than $400,000 is expected and at the time of writing and with less than three weeks to go the highest bid is $132,000. That is on par with the only other space-flown “Apollo” Rolex that ever sold at auction. In 2009 Heritage auctions sold a similar Pepsi GMT-Master owned by astronaut Ron Evans, and that watch reach $131,450. However, Mitchells watch was the first Rolex on the moon and comes with a signed letter of authenticity. With some time to go and the right attention the estimate might not be that far fetched.
The auction can be followed at RR Auction.
