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| Artifact Photo Credit and Image Copyright: EarthToTheMoon.com | Apollo 11 Photos Credit: NASA |
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| Buzz
Aldrin's Flown Apollo 11 Watch Strap |
Aldrin
Wearing The Watch Strap Inside LM |
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| Astronaut
Aldrin On The Moon |
Close-up
Of Aldrin Wearing Strap On The Moon |
| This watch strap was worn on the outside
of
Buzz Aldrin's space suit during his walk on the Moon in July,
1969. The watch and watch strap are clearly visible in the
most famous of photographs taken by Neil Armstrong of Aldrin standing
on the lunar surface. Exposed to the lunar environment,
this strap undoubtedly retains lunar dust within its fibers even today. Neil Armstrong was forced to leave his watch inside of the lunar module during the EVA because of the malfunction of a timer inside of the lunar module. Because of that, Aldrin's watch and this watch strap were the first worn on the lunar surface. This strap was in the personal collection of Astronaut Buzz Aldrin until he consigned it for auction to Superior Galleries in their 1993 Space Auction. This auction was conducted on January 11, 1993. This watch strap was lot number 228 in that auction. The description in the auction catalog stated, "228. Space suit watch strap, worn on the moon by Buzz Aldrin. A black Velcro 18 inch watch strap with #CF 55052-5 S/N 120 on the end. This was used during EVA on the moon. Not much to look at but an important piece of equipment." The Earth To The Moon Air & Space Museum acquired this artifact from the Superior Galleries auction. |