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The Captain Don Walsh USN (Ret), PhD "JeanRichard Aquastar 60" Iconic And Historically Important Ref. 1581 Stainless Steel Div...
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$62,500.00
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Description
The Captain Don Walsh USN (Ret), PhD "JeanRichard Aquastar 60" Iconic And Historically Important Ref. 1581 Stainless Steel Dive Wristwatch, circa 1959Case: 36 mm, stainless steel, two body, brushed finish, solid case back with screw down retaining ring, bi-directional bezel with 5 minute marks and numerals, large tritium dot at twelve, No. 153014
Dial: black, luminous round, baton and triangle indexes, date aperture under an internal cyclops at 3 o'clock, luminous steel baton hands, center seconds
Movement: Calibre AS 1581, automatic, 17 jewels
Band: the original leather strap and metal buckle
Signed: JeanRichard Aquastar 10 ATM
This timepiece was one of three Aquastar 60's purchased by Don Walsh, Dr. Andy Rechnitzer and Larry Shumaker from a San Diego dive shop in early 1959. When he qualified as a USN Underwater Swimmer, Don Walsh used the watch in Navy diver training. In 1960, Captain Don Walsh wore it as he piloted the Bathyscaph Trieste to the deepest place in the World Ocean - the Challenger Deep in the Marianas Trench 322 kilometers southwest of the island of Guam. The depth was 10,916 meters. It was on his wrist at the White House when President Eisenhower presented the Legion of Merit for his explorations with Trieste. In 2019, he took the Aquastar when joining Victor Vescovo's Five Deeps Expedition diving program for dive at Challenger Deep. At the request of Don Walsh, the President of Triton Submarines, Mr. Patrick Lahey wore the Aquastar when he piloted the sub to the seafloor at Challenger Deep, dive #3 on May 3rd, 2019, reaching a depth of 10,927 meters.
Captain Don Walsh describes the final mission of this historic timepiece here - "On June 20th, 2020, my son Kelly Walsh and Victor Vescovo dove Limiting Factor to the same place in Challenger Deep I visited six decades earlier. He is a brand ambassador for Omega Watches and wore his personal Omega timepiece on the dive. As his dad, I asked him to take my Aquastar on the dive. They achieved a depth of 10,925 meters at the deepest place in the World Ocean. My Aquastar is the only watch that has been to the seafloor at Challenger Deep on three separate expeditions: my dive in 1960, Limiting factor in 2019 and 2020. I retired it in 2010 when Rolex presented me with a specially engraved watch celebrating 50 years since my Trieste dive."
Note: There will be significantly more provenance, images, timeline info, biographical info, and details added to this lot description and presentation as we progress. This timepiece is undoubtedly the "grail" of all dive watches.
LETTER OF PROVENANCE
GOING THE LAST 7 MILES: THE BATHYSCAPH TRIESTE STORY
Condition Report*:
Type: The Captain Don Walsh USN (Ret), PhD “JeanRichard Aquastar 60” Iconic And Historically Important Ref. 1581 Stainless Steel Dive Wristwatch, circa 1959
Dial: black, luminous round, baton and triangle indexes, date aperture under an internal cyclops at 3 o'clock
Hands: luminous steel baton hands, center seconds
Metal: stainless steel
Case: #No. 153014
Case Info: two body, brushed finish, solid case back with screw down retaining ring, bi-directional bezel with 5 minute marks and numerals, large tritium dot at twelve
Case Width: 36 mm
Crystal: acrylic
Watch Movement: Calibre AS 1581, automatic, 17 jewels
Band: the original leather strap and metal buckle
Condition: This highly important timepiece is in remarkable condition, especially considering the undeniably historic dives and adventures it accompanied it's owner on. The case retains very crisp, unpolished lines and a case back with sharp, unworn engravings. The bezel is very good. The original dial is beautifully aged with rich creamy lume. The movement is running and setting and the date advances properly. The bezel is not currently rotating. Scratches to the crystal and wear to the strap commensurate to age and use. As quoted by the original owner, Captain Don Walsh, "The Aquastar is complete with original strap and crystal. It has never been opened or serviced. When I wound it after a long period in storage, it kept accurate time". Movement runs and sets as it should. Heritage does not guarantee timekeeping accuracy. We always recommend servicing for daily use and timekeeping accuracy.
*Heritage Auctions strongly encourages in-person inspection of items by the bidder.
Statements by Heritage regarding the condition of objects are for guidance only and should not be relied upon as statements of fact,
and do not constitute a representation, warranty, or assumption of liability by Heritage. All lots offered are sold "AS IS".
Dial: black, luminous round, baton and triangle indexes, date aperture under an internal cyclops at 3 o'clock
Hands: luminous steel baton hands, center seconds
Metal: stainless steel
Case: #No. 153014
Case Info: two body, brushed finish, solid case back with screw down retaining ring, bi-directional bezel with 5 minute marks and numerals, large tritium dot at twelve
Case Width: 36 mm
Crystal: acrylic
Watch Movement: Calibre AS 1581, automatic, 17 jewels
Band: the original leather strap and metal buckle
Condition: This highly important timepiece is in remarkable condition, especially considering the undeniably historic dives and adventures it accompanied it's owner on. The case retains very crisp, unpolished lines and a case back with sharp, unworn engravings. The bezel is very good. The original dial is beautifully aged with rich creamy lume. The movement is running and setting and the date advances properly. The bezel is not currently rotating. Scratches to the crystal and wear to the strap commensurate to age and use. As quoted by the original owner, Captain Don Walsh, "The Aquastar is complete with original strap and crystal. It has never been opened or serviced. When I wound it after a long period in storage, it kept accurate time". Movement runs and sets as it should. Heritage does not guarantee timekeeping accuracy. We always recommend servicing for daily use and timekeeping accuracy.
Auction Info
2023 November 15 Watches & Fine Timepieces Signature® Auction #5550 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
November, 2023
15th
Wednesday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 2
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 6,510
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