Former astronaut Larry Schirra’s watch up for auction.
Former astronaut Wally Schirra’s gold Omega Speedmaster Professional 1969 Apollo 11 Commemorative Watch is up for auction at Boston-based RR Auction. Omega presented 26 of these highly collectible commemorative watches—known as the Tribute to Astronauts watch—to NASA astronauts, with the case back of each specially engraved with a quote, the name and missions, and a unique number referencing when the astronaut flew into space.
Noted space collector Larry McGlynn purchased Schirra’s watch directly from the Schirra family after Wally’s death.
“Wally’s Speedmaster represents the top presentation watch in my collection,” says McGlynn, adding that Schirra had the further distinction of being the only U.S. astronaut to fly on all three of NASA’s early space projects.
McGlynn had the timepiece professionally cleaned, he says, but not restored—with the exception of adding a new rubber gasket and an original 1969 burgundy bezel obtained directly from the Omega factory in Switzerland (Schirra apparently lost his original burgundy bezel).
“I purchased the watch in 2013,” explained McGlynn, who owns about 50 space-related watches, of which 17 are Omega Speedmasters. “The dealer contacted me about the watch since I knew Wally fairly well. I bought [it] immediately.”
Case back with inscription.
This watch’s case back, issued as “No. 8,” is engraved, “Astronaut Walter M. Schirra, Mercury 8—Gemini 6—Apollo 7,” with the central quote reading: “To mark man’s conquest of space with time, through time, on time.”
The watch features a 42mm 18-karat gold case with the same design cues and dimensions as the steel Speedmaster Professional. The gold bezel has a burgundy-colored aluminum inlay, and a special solid gold dial, indicated by “OM,” meaning or massif (French for “solid gold”).
The hour markers are made of faceted onyx and are set in gold frames, while the hands of the watch are black and gold. The gold bracelet has hollow links and a small 14mm gold clasp. Inside, the 17-jewel Lemania-based chronograph caliber 861 beats at 21,600vph.
The watch is accompanied by an “Extract of the Archives” document from the Omega Museum, which includes remarks citing it as a “Special numbered edition to celebrate the ‘Apollo XI’ moon landing.’” An image of Schirra wearing the watch and a detailed letter of authenticity signed by Schirra’s wife, Jo, are also included.
Jo writes in part, “I hereby certify that the accompanying Omega Gold Presentation Watch, Movement Serial number 28080607, Case Serial no 8, is from Walter M. Schirra’s personal collection and was presented to him by Omega, November 25, 1969, at a gala dinner at the Hotel Warwick in Houston, TX. This 18K gold Apollo XI Commemorative watch was presented to each astronaut who had flown into space at that time.
“My husband, Walter M. Schirra, was one of the early recipients of this unique watch. During the dinner, approximately twenty-three 18K gold Omega Speedmaster watches were presented to the astronauts in attendance. The group included all astronauts who have flown on flights prior to and including the Apollo XI lunar landing mission.
“These watches were (and are) unique in the Omega family of watches. These thirty watches were the first Speedmasters ever to be made of gold….”
The RR Auction Space Exploration event closes October 20.