Auctions: Buzz Aldrin's Watches Are Coming To Auction

A significant portion of the personal watch collection belonging to retired U.S. Air Force Brigadier General and Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin is headed to the auction block. As part of the Buzz Aldrin Family Trust, 24 timepieces will be featured in Sotheby's 2026 Space Exploration auction in New York, a sale that blends high-value horology with historic artifacts from the dawn of the space age.

The collection is dominated by the Swiss brand Omega, a fitting reflection of Aldrin's lifelong association with the maker of the first watch worn on the lunar surface. However, the auction also highlights Aldrin's personal passions beyond astronautics, specifically his dedication to scuba diving and his role as a collector of curiosities.

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The "Moonwatch" Gap and Symbolic Replacements

Collectors seeking the actual Omega Speedmaster worn by Aldrin on the moon will find it absent from the catalog. That specific watch was stolen in 1971 while in transit to the Smithsonian and remains the property of the U.S. Government. In its place, the auction offers a 1990s Speedmaster Professional with a calibre 861 movement and tritium dial. According to Aldrin, he acquired this piece new as a replacement for the one he wore during the Apollo missions. Sotheby's has estimated this "replacement" watch between USD$8,000 and $12,000.

The most expensive timepiece in the collection is a limited-edition Speedmaster 3861 in Moonshine Gold. Manufactured in 2026, the 42mm gold watch features a champagne dial and is presented in like-new condition. It carries a high estimate of USD$40,000 to $60,000, though it represents a symbolic connection to the brand rather than an operational tool from his spaceflight days.

Divers and Daily Drivers

Beyond the gold and steel chronographs, the sale reveals Aldrin's affinity for tool watches. One notable non-Omega entry is a JLC Shark Deep Sea from the late 1960s or early 1970s. This rare diving chronograph is signed LeCoultre on the dial, suggesting it was a U.S. Market model. The watch shows significant signs of use, including a scuffed crystal and oxidized spring bars, consistent with Aldrin's passion for diving. He once stated, My favourite thing to do on this planet is to scuba dive.

Further emphasizing this link is a Citizen Promaster Hyper Aqualand, estimated at USD$2,000 to $3,000. This piece, featuring an electronic depth gauge and thermometer, shows wear that reflects its actual use in the field. Other technical pieces include a titanium Speedmaster X-33 “NASA,” a quartz flight-qualified watch often used on the ISS, which currently requires a battery change or service.

A Box of Memories

Perhaps the most personal lot is a presentation case containing eight quartz souvenir watches. Estimated at USD$3,000 to $5,000, the collection has little horological value but significant biographical weight. The box includes:

• A watch commemorating the Buzz Aldrin Elementary School.
• A Toy Story 3 watch, referencing the character Buzz Lightyear.
• A Boeing watch featuring the International Space Station (ISS) on the dial.
• Pieces linked to the Mir space station and Russian aerospace organizations.
• A Korean War Stories watch.

Additional items in the broader sale include a Bulova Accutron Eagle Pilot Automatic Watch, which likely served as a design approval piece and still retains its protective plastic, estimated at USD$2,000 to $3,000.

Wider Context: "Geek Week" and Apollo Artifacts

The watch sale is part of a larger event dubbed "Geek Week" at Sotheby's New York, running from July 14 to 15. The auction features 134 lots in the Space Exploration category, including items that are only legally available if acquired from an astronaut. Among the most critical items is a felt-tip pen and a broken circuit breaker switch. Aldrin used the pen to fashion a makeshift switch when the Engine Arm Switch broke.

Market Outlook and Timeline

Some analysts suggest that the "cool factor" of mid-century heroes like Aldrin may be waning among younger collectors, who now prefer neo-vintage independents or jewelry watches. This trend was noted following the sale of Steve McQueen's last Heuer Monaco, which sold for USD$640,000, falling short of its million-dollar estimate. However, proponents argue that Aldrin's status as a historical explorer ensures his long-term appeal.

Item	Estimated Value (USD)	Significance
Moonshine Gold Speedmaster	$40,000 – $60,000	Modern limited edition
1990s Speedmaster Professional	$8,000 – $12,000	Personal replacement Moonwatch
Souvenir Watch Box (8 pcs)	$3,000 – $5,000	Life and career mementos
Citizen Promaster Hyper Aqualand	$2,000 – $3,000	Diving tool watch
Bulova Accutron Eagle Pilot	$2,000 – $3,000	Design approval/commemorative

What to watch next: Online bidding is currently open. Live bidding sessions are scheduled to begin on July 15, 2026, starting at 10 am EDT (2 pm GMT) in New York.