Photo: RR Auction
We can all agree that measuring time precisely is important for any person on this planet. But when it comes to outer space missions, it becomes a matter of life and death. That is why decades ago when space explorations started to become real, NASA commissioned several watchmakers to create a prototype that would withstand those conditions. In other words, all the timepieces that left Earth are not personal as they belong to the Agency. All but one.
The story behind this timepiece has nothing to do with luxury and opulence, but rather makes for a one hell of a story. This is the only personal watch that has literally traveled to the moon and does not belong to NASA. It’s also the only one that will go under the hammer later this month.
How is that special, you ask? Well, it belongs to former NASA astronaut Dave Scott, one of the few people who has ever sat foot on the surface of the moon. He belonged to the third group of NASA astronauts, selected in October 1963, and became the seventh person to walk on the Moon.
He made his third and final flight into space as commander of the Apollo 15 mission, the fourth human lunar landing. He also is the first person to drive on the lunar rover. As a matter of fact, this is also the mission in which he wore the timepiece in question. The reason he had a personal clock with him is that he brought it as a back-up. He wanted to make sure he’ll have a plan B in case anything would happen.
Returning from one of the missions’ moonwalks, Scott realized the wristwatch’s face popped off, at which point he replaced it with the Bulova chronograph. Not only did this one never crack, but the astronaut even used it to verify that his life supplies were in order, thus managing to bring safely back the crew.
Scratches on the timepiece’s crystal face, mud on the strap, and a 15-page catalog coming along all prove the watch’s authenticity. On October 22, after a week of online bidding that will open at $50,000, Scott’s personal Apollo 15-used chronograph will be sold by RR Auction of Boston.
How is that special, you ask? Well, it belongs to former NASA astronaut Dave Scott, one of the few people who has ever sat foot on the surface of the moon. He belonged to the third group of NASA astronauts, selected in October 1963, and became the seventh person to walk on the Moon.
He made his third and final flight into space as commander of the Apollo 15 mission, the fourth human lunar landing. He also is the first person to drive on the lunar rover. As a matter of fact, this is also the mission in which he wore the timepiece in question. The reason he had a personal clock with him is that he brought it as a back-up. He wanted to make sure he’ll have a plan B in case anything would happen.
NASA has special timepieces for their astronauts
As we said, all NASA astronauts would wear the Agency’s specially designed watches, namely Omega Speedmaster. However, Scott was allowed to bring a second ticker with him, after the mission’s captain asked for permission. Whether it was a bad feeling or just a mere coincidence, his decision may have saved the crew’s mission, considering that Scott’s timepiece from NASA eventually broke while they were in the outer space.Returning from one of the missions’ moonwalks, Scott realized the wristwatch’s face popped off, at which point he replaced it with the Bulova chronograph. Not only did this one never crack, but the astronaut even used it to verify that his life supplies were in order, thus managing to bring safely back the crew.
Scratches on the timepiece’s crystal face, mud on the strap, and a 15-page catalog coming along all prove the watch’s authenticity. On October 22, after a week of online bidding that will open at $50,000, Scott’s personal Apollo 15-used chronograph will be sold by RR Auction of Boston.
Google News