Omega

• cal. 861 manual winding lever movement, 18 jewels • solid gold dial, applied indexes with onyx inserts, engine-turned subsidiary dials for constant seconds, 30-minute and 12-hour registers • 18k yellow gold case, brown bezel with tachymeter scale, screw down back • case, dial, movement and bracelet signed • with an 18k yellow gold Omega brick-link bracelet 

The movement is running at time of cataloguing. The dial and hands are in excellent condition. The case and bracelet have visible scuffs and scratches throughout which are consistent with regular use. Overall, the watch is in very good condition. The watch has not been tested to determine the accuracy of its timekeeping. Please note that Sotheby's does not guarantee the future working of the movement and that a service may be required at the buyer's discretion.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. All dimensions in catalogue descriptions are approximate. Condition reports may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome. Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. Please note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

**Please be advised that bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping."

The Commemorative Speedmaster, Ref BA 145.022 from 1969, was the first Speedmaster made in 18K gold. The differences between it and the NASA-issue Speedmasters, apart from the material was also the solid  gold dial, the burgundy bezel, and the inscriptions on the back case. It’s the same movement with Calibre 861 as the steel model, the same worn by NASA astronauts from 1969 until the revised Calibre 1861 became the standard movement in the Speedmaster “Moon Watch” ca 1996.

Initially, the Apollo XI Commemorative was offered to each of the astronauts active at that time at a gala dinner November 25th, 1969 at Hotel Warwick in Houston. The first thirty watches were created in tribute to the sensational exploit of Man's first landing on the Moon. Nr 1 was supposed to be handed over to President of the United States Richard M. Nixon and Nr 2 to Vice President Spiro T. Agnew, having been refused by their intended recipients, presently reside in the Omega museum in Biel-Bienne, Switzerland. Nr 3 through 28 were personalized and presented to astronauts in NASA’s space program. The lower numbers were reserved for those astronauts who had been with NASA the longest. Each of these watches was inscribed with their name and rank (if any), and the names of the missions which they had flown to date.

Omega offered a small series for sale to the public early in 1970 which, due to unexpected demand, was expanded to the entire production of 1014 watches was reached in 1972, all numbered. A run of the later numbers (Nr 1001 to 1008) was given in 1972 to astronauts of Apollo 14, 15, 16 and 17.

The watches that were sold to the public are identical to the others but for the engraving.