Lot 46

Omega. A Limited Edition Very Fine and Rare Stainless Steel and 18k Pink Gold Chronograph Wristwatch with Bracelet, Certificate of Authenticity, International Warranty, and Box, Made to Commemorate the 35th Anniversary of Apollo 15

Apollo 15The Apollo 15 mission launched July 26, 1971. This mission was the fourth to land on the Moon, with a total of three days spent on the Moon’s surface. In addition, it was the first mission to use the Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV), a car-like vehicle that carried scientific instruments for deployment on the Moon and gave the astronauts extended range for exploration. This is thought to be one of the most successful Apollo missions as it allowed for increased time on the moon, as well as increased lunar surface exploration. The mission objectives were to explore the Hadley-Apennine region, set up and activate lunar surface scientific experiments, make engineering evaluations of new Apollo equipment, and conduct lunar orbital experiments and photographic tasks.The three astronauts that were assigned to this mission were David R. Scott, Alfred M. Worden, and James B. Irwin. Apollo XV set several new records for crewed spaceflight including maximum radial distance traveled on the lunar surface away from the spacecraft (approximately 17.5 miles where the previous high was 2.1 miles on Apollo 14), most lunar surface extravehicular activity, and the longest total duration for lunar surface outside of the spacecraft (18 hours and 37 minutes).During this mission, Scott and Irwin covered almost 30 km in the LRV and made three separate exploratory trips in the vehicle. The Boeing-designed LRV provided the astronauts mobility and range, while also allowing for increased scientific exploration. Each of the vehicles carried a color TV camera that could be operated remotely from Houston with zoom features. This was particularly useful when the crew members were at work and also advantageous for enhanced observations of the surroundings. Broadcasts were possible when the antenna was pointed almost directly at Earth and, generally, the camera was operated when the Rover was stationary. A major result of the LRV explorations was the crew returning with one of the prize trophies of the Apollo program, a sample of ancient lunar crust named Genesis Rock, which is currently stored at the Lunar Sample Laboratory Facility in Houston, Texas.The mission emblem features the surnames of the three astronauts, the name of the mission, and a central design. All three crew members of Apollo 15 were United States Air Force duty officers, so it was fitting that the design carried U.S. Air Force insignia. It patriotically features the colors of the American flag, red, white and blue, but also stylistically shows three birds in each color that seem to be flying over the Moon It is understood that the birds represented the three astronauts journeying into space.

Signed Omega, Speedmaster, Professional, Limited Edition, No. 0888/1971, Apollo 15 Model, Movement No. 77’157’018, Case Ref. 1450300, Manufactured in 2006

Details

Omega. A Limited Edition Very Fine and Rare Stainless Steel and 18k Pink Gold Chronograph Wristwatch with Bracelet, Certificate of Authenticity, International Warranty, and Box, Made to Commemorate the 35th Anniversary of Apollo 15
Signed Omega, Speedmaster, Professional, Limited Edition, No. 0888/1971, Apollo 15 Model, Movement No. 77’157’018, Case Ref. 1450300, Manufactured in 2006
Cal. 1861 mechanical movement, 18 jewels, black dial, pink gold plated applied OMEGA symbol, pink gold plated applied baton numerals with luminous accents, outer fifths of a second divisions, pink gold plated luminous baton hands, three sunken engine-turned subsidiary dials for constant seconds, 30 minutes and 12 hours registers with pink gold plated chapter rings, crystal etched with OMEGA symbol, tonneau-shaped water-resistant-type case, 18k pink gold and black bezel with tachymeter scale calibrated for 500 units, fluted lugs, screw back with Apollo 15 sticker, 18k pink gold OMEGA crown, two round 18k pink gold chronograph buttons in the band, stainless steel bracelet stamped 1998/849, deployant clasp, overall approximate length 8 inches, case, dial and movement signed
42mm diam.

Lot Essay

Accompanied by an OMEGA Certificate of Authenticity, International Warranty dated September 2006, OMEGA pictograms card, OMEGA Apollo 15 presentation box, operating instructions, OMEGA card holder, outer packaging and two extra links.

This limited edition watch celebrates the 35th Anniversary of Apollo 15, the second largest of all the Apollo missions which was executed in 1971. This series was made in an edition of 1971 examples and retains all the traditional characteristics of the OMEGA Speedmaster professional chronograph with the added Apollo 15 emblem on the case back which features the last names of all three crew members, Scott, Worden, and Irwin.

The present watch is illustrated and described in OMEGA, A Journey Through Time by Marco Richon, 2007, p. 653.

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