Neil Armstrong's gold Omega Speedmaster watch, gifted to him after his 1969 moon landing, fetched a record $2.2 million at a Boston auction. The watch, part of a commemorative series for Apollo astronauts, was sold by RR Auction.
The 18-karat gold watch, number 17 of 26 made, was engraved with Armstrong's name and a tribute to his space conquest. Armstrong's son, Mark, mentioned his father wore it on special occasions. Half of the auction proceeds will go to charities supported by Neil Armstrong and the Brian LaViolette Foundation.
An anonymous collector purchased the watch, drawing global attention from space history enthusiasts. This sale marks the most expensive astronaut-owned watch and the third most valuable space-related item ever sold. Another gold Speedmaster, belonging to Edgar Mitchell (Apollo 14), sold for $142,000.
The official Speedmaster worn by Armstrong during the Apollo 11 mission is housed at the Smithsonian. This sale underscores humanity's fascination with space exploration. It also highlights the symbolic value of items connected to the historic 1969 moon landing.