Neil Armstrong’s 18K Gold OMEGA Speedmaster Set for April Auction

March 27, 2025 at 1:06 am

Collectors, space enthusiasts, and watch aficionados will turn their attention to Cambridge, Massachusetts, this April as a historic timepiece goes up for auction. Neil Armstrong’s personal 18K gold OMEGA Speedmaster Professional, a rare edition honoring NASA’s astronauts, will be available through RR Auction on April 17, 2025.

This is no ordinary luxury watch—it’s a piece of history tied to one of humankind’s greatest achievements: the Apollo 11 moon landing. Known as the “Tribute to Astronauts” model, this Speedmaster (Ref. BA 145.022) was part of a limited run of 26 pieces gifted exclusively to astronauts after Apollo 11’s success.

A Watch Built for Legends

The solid 18K gold case and burgundy red aluminum bezel make this Speedmaster a visually striking timepiece. Its gold dial bears the “OM” marking (Or Massif, meaning solid gold in French), while onyx hour markers and black-accented gold hands enhance its luxurious aesthetic. Armstrong’s model is engraved with “Astronaut Neil A. Armstrong, Gemini 8 – Apollo 11”, cementing its historical significance.

Precision and Performance

Powered by the Lemania-based caliber 861, a manual-wind chronograph movement, the watch operates at 21,600 vibrations per hour with a 17-jewel configuration—offering the durability NASA required for space missions. While Armstrong’s Speedmaster was not worn during the Apollo 11 EVA, it remains a symbol of precision, engineering, and space exploration.

A Rare Opportunity for Collectors

With only 26 astronaut-issued pieces, Armstrong’s Omega watch is among the most coveted Speedmasters ever made. The caseback inscription reads: “To mark man’s conquest of space with time, through time, on time.” This auction presents a unique opportunity to own a timepiece that embodies human ambition and achievement.