Bring a Loupe An Omega Speedmaster Alaska I Prototype Delivered To NASA, A Silver Dial Eberhard Contograf, And A Super Rare Heuer 'Skipperera'

Eberhard has produced some of the greatest chronographs of all time, and the Contograf is no exception. While it may not be as mechanically sophisticated as some of the brand's other offerings of years past – though the in-house cal. 310.82 is no slouch – it is a legendary design, and one that you can’t help but love, regardless of your collecting background. The example in question today is no ordinary Contograf though, as it features the seldom-seen silver dial, that’s accented tastefully with red and black markings. 

This watch is in incredible condition top to bottom, and even still has the original bracelet that so many are now missing. Its hands are also particularly appealing, as they’re the less common, thin stick variant from Eberhard, which followed the earlier dauphine-style hands. 

The aptly named, Netherlands-based dealer of both cars and watches, Cars & Watches, has this Contograf listed for €16,500. Visit their site for more details.

Aside from watches, music, and photography, I’m somewhat obsessed with all things related to NASA, for the simple reason that the administration represents one of the coolest, most daring efforts in the history of humankind, itself. How’s that for justification? With this in mind, I couldn’t help but include this historically important piece coming up for sale at Phillips in Geneva this weekend. 

This is a Mark II ref. ST 145.014 Speedmaster, but it’s not an ordinary one by any means. As the extract from the archives from Omega will confirm, this is a prototype example of the sought after Alaska Project Speedmaster that, interestingly enough, was delivered to the Apollo Program Office at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. It’s believed to be one of a handful of prototypes produced with a set of durability-increasing modifications, per NASA’s request. 

To own a Speedmaster that’s confirmed to have been delivered to NASA is one thing, but to own an Alaska Project prototype delivered to NASA is on an entirely different level. We’ll certainly be watching to see what this rarity among rarities realizes in the sales room this weekend. 

Phillips has the estimate on this piece set at CHF 40,000-60,000. Click here for more details (and to see the rest of the catalog). 

Speaking of space, it’s worth noting that the Speedmaster didn’t earn the Moonwatch monicker without going through rigorous testing – and during the process, a few other watches were put to the test as well. One such watch was the ref. 242T manufactured by Wittnauer, and it’s arguably one of the best looking sports chronographs ever made. Allow me to explain. 

On paper, the 242T has a lot to offer, with a Valjoux 72 at its core and a liberal 38mm case diameter, though as one would expect, it's on the wrist that it really shines, thanks to the truly unique dial design. In addition to the outer decimal scale that traces the dial, you’ll find puffy luminous plots marking every five minute increment, along with an inner ring of small white dots that cut through the all the sub registers. This all makes for one of the most daring chronograph dial designs of the 1960s, which I personally find to be reminiscent of solar system models.

242T prices have been climbing steadily over the last few years, but in comparison to some other Valjoux 72 powered chronographs that are perhaps more desirable, the Wittnauer offers a lot in the way of value. While it might not have necessarily been up to NASA’s standards, I’m sure you’ll find it to be more than satisfactory – just don’t go to the Moon with it. 

Justin Vrakas of WatchSteez is offering this outstanding example for $10,500. Click here for the full listing.

The Skipper is perhaps one of the rarest Carrera’s to have ever been produced, and also one of the most attractive. Its multicolored dial has long mesmerized the upper echelons of the vintage watch collecting world, and for good reason. The design was simply so radically different from both anything Heuer had ever produced, and anything available on the market at the time, which is largely why it’s so coveted in today’s collecting landscape. 

Heuer’s involvement in the timing of yachting dates back to the early 1960s, when the watchmaker began production of several stopwatches branded with the name Yacht Timer – many of which featured dials accented vibrantly with touches of blue, red, and green. These instruments were relied upon as true tools by sailors and skippers across the globe, to the extent that many teams competing in the America’s Cup had Heuer chronographs on board. Aspects of the existing yachting design language would later be translated into their wristwatch lineup with the release of the first Skipper, the Carrera-based ref. 7754, and later the ref. 7764 based on the ref. 2446 Autavia. 

Following the weekend, Christie’s will offer an example of the famed yachting chronograph in their Geneva sale. The sale of a so-called “Skipperrera” is a rather big deal in the watch world, in that these are just unbelievably rare, and those that own them are understandably reluctant to part ways. Be sure to watch what this piece realizes on Monday, as the stunning condition will surely make it a benchmark for all future sales. 

Christie’s has the estimate on this rare Heuer set at CHF 25,000-45,000, though I wouldn’t be surprised to see it go far higher considering what examples have fetched in the past. Find more details here.

Editor's Note: The description for this watch has been updated on Christies.com:

"Please note that the image of this watch in the catalogue does not accurately reflect the condition. Additional photos will be sent to you to show the dial and the case that reflects the description in our condition report of this important watch."

As much as I love watches, I’ll often joke that marketing materials and watchmaker associated ephemera are arguably cooler than the watches themselves. I say this because such materials frame and contextualize how brands wished to be, and ultimately were perceived in an era we now so fervently celebrate as watch collectors. 

Marketing and Rolex go together like peanut butter and jelly, and if you somehow weren’t already convinced, then maybe these several lots on offer at Antiquorum (via Invaluable.com) this weekend will change your mind.

In addition to a directional sign from the Rolex offices, there are several unique looking brochures, watchmaking tools and materials, and a variety of hand painted sketches that were presumably used in Rolex window displays. There’s also what appears to be a Rolex branded pressure gauge, which is just unbelievably cool. Should you need a break from watches but still want a piece of the action, this might be a good direction to look in.