The Space Traveller I by George Daniels has been out of the public eye for 30 years until coming up recently for sale at Sotheby’s London.
Source:
https://scmp.com/magazines/style/watches-jewellery/article/3017377/george-daniels-space-traveller-1-pocket-watch Luxury
George Daniels Space Traveller 1 pocket watch, inspired by the Apollo 11 moon landing, fetches a record US$4.6 million at auction
Made by celebrated watchmaker George Daniels in 1982, the Space Traveller 1 is the kind of pocket watch you would need for your package tour to Mars
George Daniels Space Traveller I pocket watch has sold for a record-breaking US$4.6 million at Sotheby’s London. One of the most celebrated independent watchmakers of the 20th century, Daniels created only 23 pocket watches in his lifetime. He made the Space Traveller I in 1982 and it was inspired by the 1969 Apollo 11 moon landing.
George Daniels Space Traveller I pocket watch sold for record price, fetching US$4,561,507 at a Sotheby’s auction in London on July 2. Rising interest in pocket timepieces and the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing could be contributing factors to the record price achieved for an English timepiece.
The complication timepiece, described by Daniels as “The kind of watch you would need on your package tour to Mars”, was inspired by the 1969 moon landing.
It’s the first time the watch has been in the public eye since it was last seen 30 years ago; the piece sold for US$151,000 at a 1988 Sotheby’s auction.
The close to US$4.6 million hammer price came as a surprise for many, since the high estimate was set at just US$1.3 million.
This sale also marked a record price for the most expensive timepiece by an independent watchmaker auctioned, as well as the most expensive watch auctioned thus far this year.
One of the most celebrated independent watchmakers of the 20th century, Daniels created only 23 pocket watches in his lifetime.
He was fascinated with the Apollo 11 moon landing and completed the Space Traveller I in 1982 to commemorate the historic moment. The watch features solar and sidereal time, equation of time, moon phase and a double wheel escapement signature to George Daniel timepieces, housed inside an 18 carat gold case.
The piece is not only an important part of George Daniels’ legacy, but a significant piece of horological history, according to Daryn Schnipper, chairman of the International Watch Division. “George Daniels was a revolutionary – a visionary who enabled today’s independent watchmakers to rise and thrive.”