The legendary astronaut Buzz Aldrin's personal watch collection is up for auction, and while it features several Omega Speedmasters, the real standout is a Jaeger-LeCoultre Shark Deep Sea. This mid-century sports watch, dating back to 1970, is a rare and highly sought-after timepiece. It boasts a reverse panda chronograph design, a diving watch functionality, and a stunning creamy patinaed lume on its hands and indices. The watch is powered by the Valjoux Calibre 72 manual-wind movement, a classic chronograph engine that's considered one of the greatest ever made. It's also mounted on a five-row steel bracelet from JB Champion, known for making the mesh bracelets preferred by Apollo-era astronauts. What makes the Shark Deep Sea truly unique is its interchangeable bezels, including a dive bezel, a telemeter bezel for measuring sound distance, and a world time bezel for calculating times in different cities. Aldrin's watch only comes with the dive bezel, but the potential for customization is intriguing. The auction's online bidding currently sits at a surprisingly low $17,000, with live bidding set for tomorrow. I predict the watch will sell for well above the anticipated sum of $20,000, given its historical significance and exceptional craftsmanship. This watch is a must-have for any serious collector, and I believe it represents a great opportunity to own a piece of history.
