BOB’S WATCHES
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Lot | 1 |
Starting Bid: | $14,000 |
Estimate: | $14,000 to $23,000 |
Manufacturer: | OMEGA |
Year: | Circa 1965 |
Model Name: | Speedmaster |
Reference: | 105.003 |
Case Serial Number: | 25,4XX,XXX |
Condition: | Excellent condition. |
Material: | Stainless Steel |
Dimensions: | 39mm |
Bracelet: | Stainless Steel 1035 Bracelet |
Item Number: | 133716 |
Movement: | Cal. 321, 17 jewels. |
Signed | Case, dial, movement, and bracelet. |
Bob's does NOT charge a buyer's premium – what you bid is what you pay.
Excellent original and clean matte black stepped dial with warm creamy lume plots. The hands have aged slightly lighter than the dial. All lume glows brightly when exposed to UV light and drops off.
Excellent original stainless steel case that shows light wear from use.
Excellent original black tachometer dot over 90 bezel insert with light wear from use. Bezel has faded beautifully to a dark grey hue.
Excellent original stainless steel Omega stretch bracelet. Clasp is stamped 2 68. Bracelet has moderate wear from use.
Bob's presentation box, Certificate of Authenticity, and warranty card
The Omega Speedmaster is a watch that needs no introduction. First launched in 1957 as a chronograph wristwatch intended for the automotive racing crowd, the Speedmaster cemented its place in watchmaking history when it became the first watch worn on the surface of the moon in 1969. Flight-qualified by NASA for all manned space travel, the Omega Speedmaster still holds the distinction of being the only watch that is certified for both spaceflight and EVA (spacewalks).
Among all the various Speedmaster references that have existed throughout history, it is without a doubt the early examples fitted with Caliber 321 movements that are considered to be the most rare and desirable among collectors. Additionally, among these, it is the models with straight lugs, such as this ref. 105.003 “Ed White” Speedmaster from 1965 that are the most coveted due to having an appearance that immediately separates them from all later Speedmaster generations.
The reference 105.003 was first launched in 1964 and represents the last of the straight-lug ‘Pre-Professional’ Speedmaster models. By 1969, Omega had made the switch to the twisted-lug style of cases, and the brand continues to use this case style on the modern Speedmaster watches that it sells today. The Omega Speedmaster ref. 105.003 was also the watch of choice for many astronauts on the Gemini missions and one was worn during the first American spacewalk, resulting in its now-iconic “Ed White” nickname.
The ref. 105.003 holds a special place in the history of the Omega Speedmaster, as it was the exact model that underwent rigorous NASA testing in 1964 and became officially flight-certified on March 1st, 1965. This particular example is in excellent overall condition, complete with its original ‘Dot-Over-Ninety’ bezel (DON bezel), while its original tritium dial and hands have developed a rich and warm patina, just like you would expect from a 1960s Speedmaster. Additionally this ref. 105.003 is fitted with a circa-correct Omega stretch bracelet, making it an excellent and well-preserved example of a vintage ‘Pre-Moon’ Speedmaster chronograph.
MOVEMENT: Chronograph is functioning. This vintage OMEGA Speedmaster comes with Bob's Watches one year warranty.
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