Known for its close ties to the Apollo program, the OMEGA Speedmaster was in fact the first watch worn on the Moon and was also on the wrist of Ed White as he performed the first-ever American spacewalk during the Gemini IV mission in 1965. The Soviets’ history of space travel is second only to that of the United States, with Cosmonaut Anatoly Solovyev still holding the world record for the most number of spacewalks and the longest time spent spacewalking. Now, a very unique OMEGA Speedmaster worn by the commander is up for auction.
Solovyev’s reference, worn on the Soyuz TM-9 expedition to the Russian Space Station Mir in 1990, has a unique history in its own right, accompanying the cosmonaut on a pair of important external repairs. Prior to docking the Mir, three of the eight thermal blankets on the Soyuz had come loose, which had the potential to allow condensation inside, thus shorting out the electrical system. Wearing the timepiece, Solovyev and his flight engineer Aleksandr Baladin successfully secured two of the three blankets by folding them down. The next extravehicular activity (EVA) repair came during reentry as the explosive force from airlock pressure still present during a module ejection deformed the hinges on one of the Mir’s hatches. Using brute force to reseal the hatch from the outside, Solovyev accidentally scratched the crystal on the Speedmaster, which is still present today. After 179 days, the Soyuz TM-9 returned home safely.
Measuring 42mm in diameter, the chronograph features a black dial with three chrono registers on the front and comes in the original wooden box. It’s adorned with a Velcro strap, but most notably pays homage to the 20th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission, reading, “015/250 APOLLO XI 1969-1989,” on the case. The caseback also reads, “FLIGHT-QUALIFIED BY NASA FOR ALL MANNED SPACE MISSIONS,” as well as, “THE FIRST WATCH WORN ON THE MOON.”
Solovyev’s OMEGA Speedmaster is part of the “Space History” auction from Bonhams. Bidding starts at $18,000 and closes on July 18.
