Omega - The Geneva Watch Auction: NINE Geneva Saturday, May 11, 2019 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Omega
    Year: 1969
    Reference No: BA 145.022
    Movement No: 28’422’105
    Model Name: Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch De Luxe
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 861, 17 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18K yellow gold Omega bracelet, max length 185mm
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Omega deployant clasp, numbered 1116/575
    Dimensions: 40mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed; case with limited edition number 236.
    Accessories: Accompanied by original presentation box and hang tag. Further accompanied by Omega Extract from the Archives confirming production on December 8, 1969 and delivery to Switzerland

  • Catalogue Essay

    While July 20th 1969 is remembered in the global historical record as the day man first walked on the moon, it is treasured by Omega in particular as Apollo XI astronauts Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong both wore Omega Speedmasters to accompany their historic moonwalk.

    “To mark man’s conquest of space with time, through time, on time” adorns the casebacks of the first 32 pieces of this limited edition series of 1,014 Speedmasters, resplendent in 18K yellow gold with a matching bracelet and burgundy bezel. These first few watches were awarded to the President and Vice-President of the United States at the time (who eventually did not accept the gift due to compliance reasons), then watches numbered 3 through 28 were presented to NASA astronauts, with 29 through 32 going to important members of Omega and Lemania – all with their names engraved in the caseback.

    The present lot is part of the first batch offered publicly in 1969, numbers 33 through 1,000, bearing the inscription "The First Watch Worn on the Moon" along with the limited edition number. It is accompanied by its original hang tag and presentation box, the latter of which has a distinct texture evoking the lunar surface. Few examples of the box have survived to the present day, making it a highly rare collector’s item.

  • Artist Biography

    Omega

    Swiss • 1848

    Omega's rich history begins with its founder, Louis Brandt, who established the firm in 1848 in La Chaux de Fonds. In 1903, the company changed its name to Omega, becoming the only watch brand in history to have been named after one its own movements. A full-fledged manufacturer of highly accurate, affordable and reliable watches, its sterling reputation enabled them to be chosen as the first watch company to time the Olympic Games beginning in 1932. Its continued focus on precision and reliability ultimately led their Speedmaster chronograph wristwatch to be chosen by NASA in 1965 — the first watch worn on the moon.

    Key models sought-after by collectors include their first, oversized water-resistant chronograph — the reference 2077, early Speedmaster models such as the CK 2915 and 2998, military-issued versions of the Seamaster and oversized chronometer models such as those fitted with their prestigious caliber 30T2Rg.

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134

Ref. BA 145.022
A very fine and rare limited edition yellow gold chronograph wristwatch with burgundy bezel and bracelet, made to commemorate the Apollo XI moon landing, accompanied by original presentation box and hang tag

1969
40mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed; case with limited edition number 236.

Estimate
CHF25,000 - 50,000 
€22,300-44,500
$25,200-50,400

Sold for CHF90,000

Contact Specialist
Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Sale
+ 41 79 637 1724
aghotbi@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: NINE

Geneva Auction 11-12 May 2019