Wally Schirra’s Omega Speedmaster Sold for $1.9 Million at Rr Auction in October 2022
Wally Schirra with the commemorative Omega Speedmaster. The commemorative Omega Speedmaster ref. 145.022
Omega presented 26 gold commemorative Omega Speedmaster watches, known as the ‘Tribute to Astronauts’ timepieces, to early NASA astronauts who had flown into space. The watch was gifted to Wally Schirra in a special Gala dinner on November 25th, 1969, at the Hotel Warwick in Houston. The group included all astronauts who had just previously flown on missions or were planning to embark on the Apollo XI Lunar Mission.
The case back of each individual watch was engraved with a quote, name and missions of the astronaut, and a unique number relative to when the astronaut flew into space. Walter M. Schirra has proudly established himself as the only United States astronaut to fly on all three of NASA’s early space flights.
The commemorative Omega Speedmaster ref. 145.022 Caseback. / Credit: RR Auctions
This was the first gold Speedmaster Omega created, featuring an 18k gold case with the same design considerations as the standard Speedmaster Professional at the time.
The gold bezel was accentuated with a red aluminum inlay, and has a solid gold dial which is indicated by the “OM” next Swiss made on the dial – “Or Massif” or “Solid Gold”. The hour markers, which are set in gold frames, are made out of onyx. The hands are black, protruding out from a gold center, providing the needed contrast. Stepping inside, the 42 mm case houses the Lemania based chronograph caliber 861, which beats at 21,600 bph.
Wally Schirra's commemorative gold Omega Speedmaster ‘Apollo XI’ ref. BA 145.022 sold for $1.9 million dollars at an RR Auction in October 2022.
By: Eric Mulder