The watch is the only timepiece worn on the moon in private hands

On Oct. 22, RR Auction, the Boston-based auction house specializing in historical artifacts, will auction a Bulova chronograph worn on the moon during the Apollo 15 mission.

The watch was worn by Commander David Scott during his three-day expedition to the moon. Standard Omega chronographs are officially issued to astronauts by NASA and are government property. But Scott wore a backup watch during his moon walk, and he is now presenting this watch for auction.

The watch “exhibits significant wear from exposure on the moon and residual rust from its presence at splash down and recovery,” according to auction materials.

Apollo 15, which took place in 1971, was the ninth manned mission in the Apollo program, the fourth to land on the moon, and the first with a Lunar Roving Vehicle. Scott and Lunar Module pilot James Irwin spent three days on the moon. The mission was Scott’s third (and last) mission in space.

“Time is of the essence during human lunar expeditions,” wrote Scott in a five-page letter accompanying the watch. “Knowledge of precise time remaining was essential. As a backup to the standard issued Omega chronograph, I carried and used a Bulova chronograph on the lunar surface.”

Bidding starts at $50,000. Auction information is available at RRAuction.com. 

(Images courtesy RR Auction)

JCK