BOSTON – Astronaut Wally Schirra’s Omega Speedmaster Professional watch sold for $1,906,954 at RR Auction on October 20.

The timepiece was given to Schirra at a special gala dinner on November 25, 1969, at the Hotel Warwick in Houston.

Omega presented 26 of these gold commemorative watches — known as the Tribute to Astronauts watch — to NASA astronauts alive and deceased, with the case back of each watch specially engraved with a quote, the name and missions of the astronaut, and a unique number relative to when the astronaut flew into space.

This watch’s case back, issued as “No. 8,” is inscribed with the words, “Astronaut Walter M. Schirra, Mercury 8—Gemini 6—Apollo 7,” with the central quote reading: “To mark man’s conquest of space with time, through time, on time.” The gold bezel has a burgundy red aluminum inlay, with the famous dot over ninety detail and a special solid gold dial.

Schirra holds the unique distinction of being the only U.S. astronaut to fly on all three of NASA’s early space projects.

Noted space collector Larry McGlynn purchased Schirra’s watch directly from the Schirra family after Wally’s death in 2007.

“This watch is a rare and remarkable example of astronaut-owned objects from the Apollo Era,” said RR Auction Executive VP Bobby Livingston. “We are thrilled and excited for our consignor and the winning bidder.”

The winning bidder wishes to remain anonymous.

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