A watch originally presented to the Shah of Iran by the Apollo 11 astronauts - but then re-gifted - is expected to go for thousands of pounds at auction later this month.

The well-travelled Omega Speedmaster 145022-68 ST is being sold by 77-year-old former helicopter pilot Robin White, who was given it by the shah's half-sister.

It was first gifted to the shah himself in 1969 by the Apollo 11 crew, as they toured the world following their historic first moon landing.

Image: The crew of Apollo 11 during their world tour

The Shah then gave it to Princess Fatemeh Pahlavi, who gave it to Mr White in return for helping her become the first Iranian woman to fly a helicopter.

Mr White, who now lives in Dorset, kept the watch in a safe for many years.


"It holds lots of good memories for me, but I thought it would be jolly nice if it was worth something. If it sells, I'll take my wife on a cruise," he said.

In the late 1960s, former military pilot Mr White, who then worked for Bristow Helicopters, was based in Iran training Iranian military personnel to fly helicopters.

Image: The shah's half-sister gave the watch to Robin White for teaching her to fly a helicopter

His exploits in evacuating Bristow's fleet of helicopters from Iran when the Shah was overthrown in 1979 are featured in author James Clavell's 1986 novel Whirlwind.

Mr White recalled how Princess Fatemeh, who died in London in 1987, would regularly order a Boeing 737 plane to fly from Iran to Denmark to collect supplies of alcoholic drinks.

After the princess first flew solo, she presented him with the watch in his flight school office.

In 1969, the Apollo 11 astronauts visited 23 countries during what was called the "Giant Leap" goodwill tour, including Iran.

The watch is set to go under the hammer at Gardiner Houlgate in Corsham, Wiltshire on 19 February and could fetch as much as £15,000.