Today’s article will be your last dispatch from the land of vintage perfect UK replica watches, for now.
1969 Omega Speedmaster Ref. 145.022-69BA Replica Watches Presented to NASA Astronaut Gus Grissom
So you may have heard the news of Neil Armstrong’s commemorative 1:1 online fake Omega Speedmaster watches coming up for auction with an estimate of $2,000,000+, well here we have another example from the run of NASA Astronaut-linked, gold Speedies.
Well, let’s rewind and set the scene. You may also have heard that the Omega Speedmaster went to the moon on the wrists of Apollo 11 astronauts in 1969. NASA’s picking of the Speedmaster changed the watch world forever and, even then, Omega thought it was a big deal. To celebrate, they turned their latest model, Speedmaster, gold and kicked off the production run with either 28 or 34 (depending on who you ask) commemorative top copy watches.
Gold Speedie number 1 and number 2 were offered as gifts to the President and Vice President of the United States, Richard Nixon and Spiro Agnew, respectively, but were turned down as the watches were “too valuable.” Watches numbered 3 to 28 were presented to NASA astronauts who accomplished a space mission. On November 25, 1969, an Astronaut Appreciation Dinner was held in Houston, and the best replica watches were doled out. So, exactly 26 of these Omegas were given to NASA astronauts at that dinner; we know that number to be true.
2023 was a wild year for these watches, covered on Hodinkee back then, seven of the 26 sold all within months of each other. Prices were all over the place as collectors decided which astronaut meant more of a premium and, more generally, how much one of these luxury China super clone watches is worth — I believe the financial gurus call this a whipsaw. The example we have today was one of the seven available back in 2023, when it sold for $375,000 at RR Auctions.
Virgil “Gus” Grissom was one of seven “original” astronauts, dubbed the Mercury Seven. Grissom holds the distinctions of being both the second American in space (Liberty Bell 7, 1961) and the first man to go to space twice (Gemini 3, 1965). Tragically, he and his fellow astronauts Ed White and Roger Chaffee were killed in a cabin fire during a pre-launch test on January 27, 1967, prepping for the Apollo 1 mission. Grissom’s family received the Swiss movements replica watches in Houston in 1969, accepting it on his behalf, and it stayed in the family for years.
The jury is still out on Armstrong’s Speedie, the auction ends on April 17th. This one, available now, is slightly less historically significant but could see a rise in interest thanks to the assumed large number that the Armstrong example ends up going for.
The seller, Adam Golden of Menta Watches in Miami, has listed Gus Grissom’s ref. 145.022-69BA to his website. It is “Price Upon Request” and upon requesting, I found the price to be $415,000.
2007 Rolex GMT-Master Ref. 116718LN Fake Watches In 18k Yellow Gold
From one commemorative all-gold sports watch to the next, I have always had a soft spot in my vintage-leaning heart for the 50th anniversary Swiss wholesale replica Rolex GMT-Master watches in yellow gold with a deep “Rolex” green dial. You might already be scrolling because “tHIs ISn’t VinTAge, RicH!” but guess what? It’s 20 years old and technically, in the world of collectibles, that’s all it takes for something to be “vintage.” I’m well aware of the common definitions for vintage watches far pre-dating 2005, don’t worry. Just having a little fun. But maybe my mind is on modern Rolex with 2025’s releases to hit the press wire next Tuesday. Ok, I’m done explaining why I put this watch here, if you don’t like it, please move to my next pick.
Vintage or not, this is a great, great watch. I wish this exact treatment was how Rolex celebrated all of its sports model anniversaries. It all makes perfect sense given the professional tool watch to luxury watch transition that the brand has gone through over the past half century plus. The all-gold, heavily polished case and bracelet paired with the distinctive green dial results in something that is so “modern Rolex” that I just have to appreciate it. A solid gold GMT-Master is a look but this is one I would proudly wear.
When you consider the pricing for other ceramic-bezeled Rolex and modern best quality Rolex fake watches in general, this reference has always seemed extremely well priced in the pre-owned market. Regularly trading under $40,000, while that is a large number, you’d be hard pressed to find something else from the Crown that is this attractive and, as a plus, it has a bit of a story behind it due to the anniversary connection — I can imagine that story will age well.
The seller, Curtis of Grey and Patina in San Fransisco, has listed this Rolex ref. 116718LN to his website with an asking price of $39,500.
1960s Replica Rolex Oyster Perpetual Ref. 1002 Watches With Glossy Gilt Dial
A friendly palette cleanser if you were appalled by the last pick, this 1960s 2025 China fake Rolex Oyster Perpetual watches is actually quite uncommon and hard to find in great condition. For vintage Rolex collectors, you tend to either lean towards the later matte dials for their iconic flat look or you are drawn into the “old school” manufacturing process of the glossy “gilt” dials of Stern Freres Creations. I’m the latter and, with that, I keep a keen eye on gilt Rolex in the market. Finding a watch with one of these dials without “matteing” — where age makes the gloss finish fade to more of a matte look — or scratches from clumsy servicing is incredibly difficult.
Oyster Perpetuals like this ref. 1002 are the most accessible of all Rolex gilt dials. Datejusts tend to trade more towards $10k than they do $5k and when you move into the sports models, great gilt examples trend above $20k easily. But with the OP you get most of the dial charm, a slim Oyster case, and that classic vintage 1:1 quality Rolex replica watches look without digging too far into your piggy bank.
Condition here looks to be solid. The dial appears nice and glossy in the sun and the case is strong. Fitted on a period-correct-at-least rivet Oyster bracelet, it’s a complete package. The source here is great, a seller who has handled more vintage copy Rolex watches for sale than just about anyone. If this is your thing, it could be a while before you find another one.
The seller, Carl of Veralet Watches, has listed this gilt-dialed Rolex OP via the Pushers.io app with an asking price of $5,500.