To mark the 50th anniversary of the lunar landing – and the Omega Speedmaster’s moment of greatness – Sotheby’s has put together a Speedmaster-only auction that’ll take place in New York on July 19, 2019.

A compact sale of just 50 lots, Omega Speedmaster: To the Moon and Back is dominated by vintage Speedmasters, including examples of every mainstream reference, meaning there is something for every budget – the most affordable watch in the sale is lot 31, a Speedmaster ref. 145.022 with a low estimate of just US$3000.

Notably, all the watches in the sale have been “vetted by the manufacture”, and are accompanied by archive extracts. And the estimates are generally modest, reflecting the fact that the watches are mostly in good or strong condition, as opposed to being mint or “new old stock”.

The top lot is an example of the first Speedmaster ever, the ref. 2915-1. Appearing quite worn but honest in the catalogue photos, it is lot 10 and has an estimate of US$150,000-200,000. And the watch is one of two ref. 2915-1 in the sale, with the other having a lower estimate in keeping with its condition.

Lot 10 – Speedmaster ref. 2915-1. Photo – Sotheby’s

Other “straight lug” Speedmasters in the sale include a few 2998s, as well as examples of the uncommon 105.002 and the more common 105.003 “Ed White”.

With a lower estimate than the 2915-1 but but probably more interesting is the Speedmaster “Alaska III” prototype from 1978. One of a series of experimental watches made for NASA but never issued, the “Alaska III” was the inspiration for the first Speedmaster Speedy Tuesday limited edition.

Lot 17 – “Alaska III” on the prototype astronaut glove that will be offered at the Space Exploration auction, a day after. Photo – Sotheby’s

Crucially, the watch is accompanied by an archive extract, which is all-important for such a watch. It has an estimate of US$70,000-90,000.

Auction and exhibition

All lots will be on show daily at Sotheby’s New York from July 13-18. The live auction starts at 2pm on July 19, 2019.

For the full catalogue and to place absentee bids, visit sothebys.com.

Sotheby’s
1334 York Avenue
New York, NY 10021
United States

Correction July 17, 2019: The prototype astronaut glove will not be offered at the same auction. It is, however, one of the lots at the Space Exploration auction, held the day after. See the full catalogue here.