When Neil Armstrong became the first human to walk on the Moon in July 1969, he was not just making history — he was immortalising a moment in time. Now, over half a century later, a remarkable piece of that legacy is making headlines: Armstrong’s personal 18K gold Omega Speedmaster Professional, a commemorative watch gifted by Omega following the Apollo 11 mission, is heading to auction.
Only 28 of these solid gold Speedmasters were ever made, with 26 reserved for astronauts involved in NASA’s Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo missions. Armstrong’s watch, number 17, was given to him on November 25, 1969, during a black-tie gala in Houston to honour the Apollo crew. The caseback engraving states: “Astronaut Neil A. Armstrong, Gemini 8 – Apollo 11”, alongside the words: “To mark man’s conquest of space with time, through time, on time.” It’s not just a watch—it’s a symbol of the greatest human achievement of the 20th century.
Crafted in 18K solid yellow gold, the 42mm watch features a rich sunburst dial, a deep burgundy tachymeter bezel with the renowned “Dot Over Ninety” (DON), and Omega’s trusted calibre 861 manually-wound chronograph movement. The black-finished sub-dials provide bold contrast and readability, while the gold Dauphine hands—coated with luminous material—glow a subtle blue in the dark. It is elegant, technical, and undeniably historic.
Set to be sold by RR Auction on April 17, 2025, the watch has already attracted significant attention. Bidding recently exceeded $1.24 million, and with pre-auction estimates between $2–3 million, Armstrong’s Speedmaster is expected to set records. For comparison, astronaut Wally Schirra’s similar gold Speedmaster sold for $1.9 million in 2022—but this is Armstrong we’re talking about. This watch is as close to the Moon landing as any collector is likely to get.
What makes this auction even more meaningful is where the money is going. A full 50% of the proceeds will be donated to charitable causes selected by Armstrong’s son, Mark, while the consignor is also pledging a portion to a scholarship fund. The winning bidder won’t just walk away with a grail-tier Omega—they’ll be supporting education and legacy in Armstrong’s name.
Collectors and space enthusiasts alike have always wondered: Who received which watch? Fortunately, Omega documented the serial numbers assigned to each astronaut. Armstrong’s is #17—but here’s the full list of those lucky enough to receive one of the most meaningful watches ever made.
- #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)
- #6 – Scott Carpenter (Mercury-Atlas 7)
- #7 – Gordon Cooper (Mercury-Atlas 9, Gemini 5)
- #8 – Wally Schirra (Mercury-Atlas 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)
- #11 – James McDivitt (Gemini 4, Apollo 9)
- #12 – Pete Conrad (Gemini 5, Gemini 11, Apollo 12, Skylab 2)
- #13 – Thomas Stafford (Gemini 6A, Gemini 9A, Apollo 10, Apollo-Soyuz)
- #14 – Jim Lovell (Gemini 7, Gemini 12, Apollo 8, Apollo 13)
- #15 – Frank Borman (Gemini 7, Apollo 8)
- #16 – David Scott (Gemini 8, Apollo 9, Apollo 15)
- #17 – Neil Armstrong (Gemini 8, Apollo 11)
- #18 – Gene Cernan (Gemini 9A, Apollo 10, Apollo 17)
- #19 – Michael Collins (Gemini 10, Apollo 11)
- #20 – Dick Gordon (Gemini 11, Apollo 12, Apollo 18)
- #21 – Buzz Aldrin (Gemini 12, Apollo 11)
- #22 – Donn Eisele (Apollo 7)
- #23 – Walter Cunningham (Apollo 7)
- #24 – Bill Anders (Apollo 8)
- #25 – Rusty Schweickart (Apollo 9)
- #26 – Alan Bean (Apollo 12, Skylab 3)
- #27 – Deke Slayton (Apollo-Soyuz Test Project)
- #28 – Roger Chaffee (Apollo 1)
- #1001 – Stu Roosa (Apollo 14)
- #1002 – Ed Mitchell (Apollo 14)
- #1003 – Jim Irwin (Apollo 15)
- #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)
Each of these watches has its own story, but none are quite as iconic as Armstrong’s. From the Moon landing to the auction block, this timepiece has journeyed through time in the most literal sense. And now, for one lucky collector, it’s about to begin a new chapter—on Earth, but never far from the stars.
One small step for man, one giant leap for the lucky collector who secures this golden piece of lunar history. The bidding may not need a rocket, but the numbers are already soaring into orbit. With pre-bids surpassing $1.24 million, this watch isn’t just grabbing attention — it’s making headlines. The final countdown begins at 6 PM ET on April 17 at the Royal Sonesta in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Feel like watching the Moonwatch reach its final destination?
