Few stories are as compelling as those associated with watches worn during humanity’s historic journey to the Moon. Among the standout pieces available in RR Auction’s Fall Space Exploration auction are two iconic watches: Edgar Mitchell’s replica Rolex GMT-Master 1675 and Dave Scott’s Omega Speedmaster Apollo 11 commemorative watch. These watches not only represent extraordinary engineering but also carry deep personal significance tied to their illustrious owners. 
Edgar Mitchell’s Rolex GMT-Master 1675, which he wore during his Apollo 14 mission in January 1971, is one of only four Rolex GMT models known to have orbited the Moon. The others include Jack Swigert’s, which was famously nicknamed “Root Beer,” Ron Evans’ watch from Apollo 17, and Stu Roosa’s from Apollo 14. This leaves Mitchell’s GMT-Master as the last known Rolex flown to the Moon that is publicly available for auction.
Karlyn Mitchell, Edgar’s eldest daughter, fondly recalls receiving the watch as a gift from her father on December 31, 1979. She shared how much he cherished the watch, often explaining its unique functionality of displaying two time zones simultaneously. Edgar was known to wear his GMT-Master frequently, even seeking an automatic winder to keep it powered. The watch’s historical provenance is further enhanced by a letter of authenticity signed by Edgar, affirming its journey to the lunar surface. 
The engraved case back of the clone watch tells a personal story as well. In 1979, Edgar had it inscribed to commemorate its lunar flight and to dedicate it to Karlyn. Despite a minor spelling error in her name, the engraving symbolizes a meaningful legacy that Karlyn treasures to this day.
The narrative of this vintage watch is intertwined with the memory of Edgar himself. I had the privilege of knowing him for over 15 years, and he was a man of integrity and deep curiosity, engaging in thoughtful discussions on various topics ranging from science to spirituality. His reflections on life and the universe left a lasting impression on all who knew him.
Similarly, I’ve had the honor of knowing Dave Scott since our first meeting in 2004 at a space event. Our friendship deepened when I invited him to discuss a paper I co-authored on the future of human spaceflight. Dave’s intellect and passion for exploration are evident in every conversation, as he continually shares insightful resources on engineering and scientific advancements. 
One notable piece in the auction is Dave Scott’s gold Omega Speedmaster Apollo 11, serial number 16, which he received during a memorable dinner hosted by Omega in November 1969. At this event, each astronaut present was gifted a commemorative watch, celebrating their contributions to space exploration. Dave’s letter of authenticity, detailing his personal experiences from that evening, adds to the watch’s remarkable provenance. 
Dave recalls the elegance of the event, humorously noting the copy watch’s beauty and reliability, but he also highlights its significance as a symbol of achievement – marking humanity’s monumental accomplishment of landing on the Moon. Unlike other Speedmaster models, this watch is entirely original and comes directly from one of the legendary Moonwalkers.