101st Auction
2019/11/16
Lot 498
Omega "Speedmaster", Movement No. 24955164, Ref. ST 105.003-65, Cal. 321, 39 mm, circa 1965
A vintage "cult" wristwatch with chronograph, 30 min. and 12h counter, auxiliary seconds and tachy bezel, so called "Ed White", produced August 23rd, 1965 and delivered to Germany - with Omega extract of the archives
Case: steel, screw back with Speedmaster logo, movement protection cap, later original bezel inlay, "Omega" steel bracelet with deployant clasp, reference 1503, endlinks stamped 527, bracelet length 160 mm, total length 195 mm. Dial: black, black rehaut.
The Speedmaster reference 105.003-65 took its nickname "Ed White" from NASA astronaut Edward Higgins "Ed" White (1930-1967), the first American to walk in space - he wore the Speedmaster reference 105.003-65 during his Gemini 4 mission in 1965. White tragically died two years later during prelaunch testing for the Apollo 1 mission. The death of White and his two fellow astronauts lead to improvements in the Apollo shuttle design and would eventually allow Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin to set foot on the moon on July 20, 1969 during the Apollo 11 mission.
Reference 105.003-65 represents a crucial turn in the history of Omega in that it was the Speedmaster reference most stringently tested by NASA – once NASA was satisfied with its performance and reliability, the Speedmaster went to become the timepiece of choice for their astronauts and has ever since been closely aligned with space flight.
It is, however, not only the extraordinary history of the Speedmaster reference that makes this timepiece a highly coveted collector’s piece. The watch is in excellent condition with a stepped, beautifully patinated matte black dial. The luminous baton hands have acquired a warm, dark yellow hue.
According to the Omega Museum, this reference was delivered without the inscription "Professional" on the dial until late 1967 and/or early 1968. This meant that reference 105.003 was still available in the 1967 sales catalogues.
A vintage "cult" wristwatch with chronograph, 30 min. and 12h counter, auxiliary seconds and tachy bezel, so called "Ed White", produced August 23rd, 1965 and delivered to Germany - with Omega extract of the archives
Case: steel, screw back with Speedmaster logo, movement protection cap, later original bezel inlay, "Omega" steel bracelet with deployant clasp, reference 1503, endlinks stamped 527, bracelet length 160 mm, total length 195 mm. Dial: black, black rehaut.
The Speedmaster reference 105.003-65 took its nickname "Ed White" from NASA astronaut Edward Higgins "Ed" White (1930-1967), the first American to walk in space - he wore the Speedmaster reference 105.003-65 during his Gemini 4 mission in 1965. White tragically died two years later during prelaunch testing for the Apollo 1 mission. The death of White and his two fellow astronauts lead to improvements in the Apollo shuttle design and would eventually allow Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin to set foot on the moon on July 20, 1969 during the Apollo 11 mission.
Reference 105.003-65 represents a crucial turn in the history of Omega in that it was the Speedmaster reference most stringently tested by NASA – once NASA was satisfied with its performance and reliability, the Speedmaster went to become the timepiece of choice for their astronauts and has ever since been closely aligned with space flight.
It is, however, not only the extraordinary history of the Speedmaster reference that makes this timepiece a highly coveted collector’s piece. The watch is in excellent condition with a stepped, beautifully patinated matte black dial. The luminous baton hands have acquired a warm, dark yellow hue.
According to the Omega Museum, this reference was delivered without the inscription "Professional" on the dial until late 1967 and/or early 1968. This meant that reference 105.003 was still available in the 1967 sales catalogues.
Sold
estimated
8.000—18.000 €
Price realized
8.400 €