Buzz Aldrin's Apollo 11 Watchstrap from the Lunar Surface


Buzz Aldrin's Flown Apollo 11 Watchstrap	Aldrin Wearing The Watchstrap Inside LM

Astronaut Aldrin On The Moon	Close-up Of Aldrin Wearing Strap On The Moon

This watchstrap was worn on the outside of Buzz Aldrin's space suit during his walk on the Moon in July, 1969. The watch and watchstrap 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 watchstrap 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 watchstrap was lot number 228 in that auction. The description in the auction catalog stated, "228. Space suit watchstrap, worn on the moon by Buzz Aldrin. A black velcro 18 inch watchstrap 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.