RR Auction in Boston is offering a GMT-Master ‘Pepsi’ model watch, which Edgar Mitchell, the sixth man to walk on the Moon, owned. The watch is named ‘Pepsi’ from its blue and red bezel.
“This incredibly rare watch, part of Mitchell’s personal collection, is one of only two Apollo-flown Rolex watches ever sold at auction,” RR Auction writes.
“A historic timepiece, it symbolises the intersection of human achievement and precision craftsmanship.”
Although all Apollo astronauts were issued Omega Speedmaster Pro watches, some preferred Rolex chronometers, and Mitchell wore the GMT-Master to the moon along with his Omega.
Mitchell's Rolex is expected to return $USD400,000 ($AUD593,640) before the sale closes on 24 October.
The watch is engraved with the following: “Worn by Cdr. E. Mitchell on Apollo 14, 1971, To Karlin – My Daughter.” Anthony Traina of Hodinkee expects the auction to attract an unlikely buyer.
“I'd have to guess that a watch of such importance will attract the interest of Rolex as a bidder,” Traina writes.
“It's no secret the brand has scooped up a few of its historically important watches at auction over the last few years. Last year, it bought Commander Warren's GMT-Master ref. 6542 at Sotheby's, one of the more expensive results we've seen for a vintage GMT-Master.”
Mitchell was the pilot for the Lunar Module of Apollo 14, the eighth crewed mission of the Apollo program and the third to land on the Moon. After making the lunar landing, Mitchell completed two walks on the Moon's surface.
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