Neil Armstrong’s 18K Gold Omega Speedmaster sold for $2.1 million dollars at auction!

A Timepiece That Made History—Again

Few watches carry the cultural weight of Neil Armstrong’s 18K gold Omega Speedmaster Professional ‘Tribute to Astronauts’. Originally presented in 1969, this legendary timepiece has once again captured the spotlight—this time selling for an astonishing $2.1 million at auction.

Auction Night: A Record-Setting Moment

The watch crossed the block at a live auction held at the Royal Sonesta in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on April 17, 2025, at 6 PM ET. The sale didn’t just make headlines—it made a difference. Fifty percent of the proceeds will go to charities chosen by Neil Armstrong’s son, Mark Armstrong.

“This watch, which my father wore on special occasions, honors one of humanity’s greatest achievements,” Mark said. “The proceeds will support causes my father believed in, extending his legacy far beyond the Moon.”

Omega’s Tribute to a Moonwalker

This specific watch is an Omega Reference BA 145.022, part of a historic run of just 26 pieces made exclusively for NASA astronauts. It was originally presented during a gala dinner in Houston on November 25, 1969, following the Apollo 11 mission. Each of the 26 watches bore the astronaut’s name and missions, engraved directly into the case.

Engraved for Armstrong Himself

Neil Armstrong’s watch was designated “No. 17” and engraved with the following:
“Astronaut Neil A. Armstrong, Gemini 8 – Apollo 11.”
The central inscription reads:
“To mark man’s conquest of space with time, through time, on time.”

Built to Commemorate the Impossible

This was the first gold Speedmaster ever produced by Omega. Its features are both luxurious and purposeful:

• 18K solid gold case

• Burgundy aluminum bezel

• Solid gold dial with onyx markers

• “OM” (Or Massif) next to “Swiss Made”

• Black hands with gold centers

• Hollow-link bracelet with a 14mm striped clasp

Precision Under the Hood

At its core is the Lemania-based caliber 861 movement, beating at 21,600 vph with 17 jewels and finished in copper. The 42mm case remains in excellent condition, showing only minor signs of wear and no evidence of polishing—remarkable for a watch with such storied use.

A Watch With Real Wrist Time

More than a display piece, this Speedmaster saw real wear. Armstrong often wore it during his time as a professor at the University of Cincinnati. In one famous moment, he was even photographed wearing it while folding a paper airplane—a simple gesture immortalized forever.

Omega Verified

The timepiece includes an official Extract from the Archives, confirming it as a special numbered edition honoring Apollo XI and verifying its authenticity.

The Most Collectible Speedmaster Ever?

With Moon-flown Speedmasters remaining U.S. government property, these Apollo XI gold editions are the most desirable Speedmasters available to the public. Armstrong’s watch sits at the pinnacle, reserved originally for the heroes of the space program.

An Auction Result That Soars

Selling for $2.1 million, this isn’t just a record-setting sale—it’s a reminder of the lasting power of space exploration, and the extraordinary men who made history.

Neil Armstrong’s Omega Speedmaster now joins the ranks of the most coveted watches ever sold, offering collectors not just a timepiece, but a legacy in gold.