On September 17, 2009, the SEIKO Spring Drive Spacewalk watch that was taken into space by Richard Garriott was auctioned at the Antiquorum sale in New York. The price it realized far exceeded both the reserve and the estimate, and the sale generated some lively bidding from the very start. Antiquorum themselves were delighted with the price achieved, stating in their release that “SEIKO fared extremely well with the GMT Spring Drive Spacewalk.” (*)

The moment the hammer fell at the Antiquorum auction

(*) full story at www.antiquorum.com

SEIKO has now donated the proceeds to the two charities that Richard supports, the Nature Conservancy (www.nature.org) and the Challenger Center for Space Science Education (www.challenger.org).

Two charities chosen by Richard Garriott benefitted from the auction, the Nature Conservancy and the Challenger Center for Space Science Education.

In a recent letter to SEIKO, Richard expresses his gratitude as follows:

“Throughout this project I have been overwhelmed by the support I have received from your company. The initiative to auction a watch taken into space and donate the proceeds to causes that are so important to me is deeply touching.”

The next step in the life of this remarkable watch will be the release, early in 2010, of a commemorative edition of 100 pieces. Richard Garriott’s intention has always been that the watch that SEIKO created for his space adventure would be made available to a wider public as a way of promoting the whole idea of space travel and the furtherance of space science. This Limited Edition commemorative watch turns this ambition to reality.

Source: Seiko Watch Corporation www.seikowatches.com/