Two Rare Gold Omega Speedmasters Once Owned by NASA Astronauts to Be Sold at RR Auction
Two historically important Omega Speedmaster wristwatches, originally presented to astronauts Richard “Dick” Gordon Jr. and Edgar “Ed” Mitchell, are now being offered in RR Auction’s Space Exploration sale.
The event runs online until October 16, 2025, and includes more than 600 items associated with human spaceflight history, from astronaut equipment to early NASA memorabilia.
Omega’s Golden Era of Spaceflight Watches
The Omega Speedmaster became part of NASA’s legacy long before these commemorative editions were made. In 1962, astronaut Walter Schirra wore one aboard the Sigma 7 mission, leading to NASA’s official approval of the model for crewed missions three years later. Buzz Aldrin’s use of a Speedmaster during his 1969 lunar walk solidified its reputation as the “Moonwatch.”
To mark the success of the Apollo missions, Omega created a small production run of gold Speedmasters. These pieces were presented to astronauts, senior officials, and dignitaries as personal tokens of recognition. Among the 1969 “Tribute to Astronauts” series, twenty-six watches were distributed to the astronauts who participated in the U.S. space program, while two additional examples were set aside for President Richard Nixon and Vice President Spiro Agnew. Armstrong’s own gold model would later make headlines when it achieved $2.1 million at RR Auction.
Edgar Mitchell’s Apollo 14 Presentation Watch
Edgar Mitchell’s Speedmaster Professional, reference BA145.022, belongs to a limited run of 1,014 units produced to celebrate the Apollo landings. This model marked the first time Omega crafted a Speedmaster entirely in 18-karat gold instead of stainless steel. Its face features a solid-gold dial with contrasting black markers, complemented by a burgundy-colored tachymeter bezel distinguished by a small marker above the numeral 90. Inside, the manual-wind Caliber 861 movement powers the chronograph.
Mitchell’s personal example, numbered 1002, carries an engraving naming him, his Apollo 14 mission, and the inscription: “To mark man’s conquest of space with time, through time, on time.” It was presented following his 1971 lunar journey, when he became the sixth individual to walk on the Moon. The watch is accompanied by a signed statement of authenticity from his daughter, Karlyn Mitchell, and is estimated to exceed $100,000 at auction.
Richard Gordon’s Commemorative Speedmaster
Gordon’s gold Speedmaster was part of the exclusive 1969 Tribute to Astronauts presentation series. The gala dinner held in Houston on November 25, 1969, served as the official occasion for awarding the watches. Gordon, then in post-flight quarantine after Apollo 12, received his example shortly afterward. His watch includes a small engraving error, a misplaced initial, that gives it a unique provenance among the issued pieces.
This example also features a solid-gold construction and personalized caseback, mirroring the design of the later Apollo commemorative models. It comes with a signed letter from Gordon confirming its authenticity and is similarly expected to bring in more than $100,000.
Collectors and space enthusiasts can explore the complete catalog and participate in bidding through RR Auction’s website until October 16, 2025.
