Buzz Aldrin’s Personal Watch Collection Heads To Auction: The Timepieces That Tell The Story Of A Moonwalker

When Sotheby's announced its latest Space Exploration auction in New York, one collection immediately stood out. Among the aerospace memorabilia and historic artefacts are 24 watches from the personal collection of Buzz Aldrin, retired Brigadier General of the U.S. Air Force, Apollo 11 astronaut, and the second person to walk on the Moon. While the sale naturally features several Omega watches, it also reveals a far more personal side of Aldrin as a lifelong collector, scuba diver, and genuine watch enthusiast.

Interestingly, the one watch everyone wishes was part of the sale is absent. Aldrin's Apollo 11-flown Omega Speedmaster Professional, worn on the lunar surface in 1969, remains lost after disappearing while being transported to the Smithsonian Institution. Even if it were recovered, the legendary Moonwatch technically remains property of the U.S. government and can never be sold. To read the fascinating story click here. Instead, Sotheby's offers a fascinating glimpse into the watches Aldrin chose to own and wear after his historic mission. From professional dive watches to NASA-issued instruments and even a box of inexpensive commemorative keepsakes, the collection paints a portrait of the man beyond the astronaut.

Jaeger-LeCoultre Shark Deep Sea Chronograph

Among the non-Omega highlights, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Shark Deep Sea Chronograph is arguably the most intriguing. Produced during the late 1960s and early 1970s, it belongs to a very small group of purpose-built diving chronographs from the era.

After conquering space, Aldrin devoted much of his life to another passion, scuba diving. The dial is signed simply "LeCoultre," indicating it was intended for the American market, while the rotating dive bezel rather than the optional GMT or world-time bezel reinforces its tool-watch purpose. Years of underwater use are evident through oxidised spring bars, aged pushers and a heavily marked crystal, while the dial and hands remain remarkably well preserved. The watch represents one of the more compelling opportunities in the sale.

Estimate: US$10,000–$20,000

Omega Speedmaster Professional Ref. 3590.50.00

While no collector can own the Speedmaster Aldrin wore on the Moon, this Omega Speedmaster Professional Ref. 3590.50.00 is perhaps the closest anyone will ever get. Purchased by Aldrin during the 1990s as a replacement for his original Moonwatch, this reference houses Omega's calibre 861 movement and features a beautifully aged tritium dial. Unlike many collector-grade examples, this watch bears the scratches and wear marks of a timepiece that was genuinely worn rather than stored away.

Considering its direct association with one of history's greatest explorers, the estimate appears remarkably reasonable. It offers collectors the rare opportunity to own a Speedmaster personally worn by "Mr. Moon" himself. To know more about the evolution of the Speedmaster click here.

Estimate: US$8,000–$12,000

Omega Speedmaster X-33 Gen 2

Another standout is the Omega Speedmaster X-33 Gen 2, a watch purpose-built for modern astronauts. Introduced as Omega's quartz analogue-digital evolution of the Speedmaster, the X-33 remains flight-qualified by NASA and continues to see service aboard the International Space Station. Aldrin was frequently photographed wearing an X-33, often mounted on an unusual bracelet configured to carry two watch heads simultaneously, with another Speedmaster worn on the opposite side of his wrist.

This particular example carries an especially interesting detail a completely blank caseback. Military and NASA-issued X-33 watches often left the factory without engravings so that units, organisations or individual owners could add their own markings. While there is no definitive confirmation, it strongly suggests Aldrin may have received the watch through NASA, military channels or Omega itself. 

Estimate: US$4,000–$6,000

Omega Constellation Manhattan Day-Date

One of the more unexpected pieces in the auction is the Omega Constellation Manhattan Day-Date, affectionately nicknamed "The Owl" by collectors thanks to its distinctive twin calendar sub-dials. The watch demonstrates that Aldrin's collecting interests extended beyond professional tool watches. As an Omega ambassador, he undoubtedly received numerous pieces over the years, but the watches he chose to keep for decades arguably say more about his personal taste than any presentation piece ever could.

This example combines steel and gold with the signature Roman numeral bezel and matching gold sub-dial surrounds. Measuring just 32mm, it perfectly captures today's growing appreciation for neo-vintage proportions and integrated bracelet designs. Once overlooked, these Constellation models have recently enjoyed renewed popularity, appearing on the wrists of celebrities including Charlie Puth and Devon Lee Carlson. Like the X-33, this example requires a battery replacement or service but otherwise appears to be in excellent condition.

Estimate: US$5,000–$8,000

A Box Full Of Memories

Perhaps the most touching lot in the entire auction isn't an expensive Swiss watch at all. One listing contains eight commemorative watches collected by Aldrin throughout his remarkable life. Their monetary value may be modest, but together they tell a story few luxury timepieces ever could. Among them are a presentation watch commemorating Buzz Aldrin Elementary School, a Toy Story 3 watch, a playful nod to the famous Buzz Lightyear character, a Swatch celebrating Rodeo Drive Art & Performance, a Korean War Stories commemorative watch and a Boeing watch featuring the International Space Station on its dial. These inexpensive souvenirs chronicle Aldrin's many identities: Korean War fighter pilot, test pilot, astronaut, scuba diver, educator, collector and public figure. More than any Speedmaster or limited edition Omega, this collection of keepsakes serves as a deeply personal archive of an extraordinary life.

In many ways, that is what makes Buzz Aldrin's Sotheby's collection so fascinating. Beyond the historical significance and collector appeal, these watches reveal the man behind the spacesuit a collector who valued memories as much as mechanics, and whose journey continued long after humanity's first footsteps on the Moon.