THE ESSENTIALS

MAKE: OMEGA
MODEL: 105.005-65
YEAR: 1966
BOX/PAPERS: NO/NO
CASE DIAMETER: 35mm
CASE MATERIAL: STAINLESS STEEL
BRACELET MATERIAL: STAINLESS STEEL
MOVEMENT: MANUAL WIND

Vintage Seamasters and Speedmasters have long been favourites among collectors, thanks largely to the enormous variety Omega released over the years. Looking back, the brand made many incremental improvements in the first decade after 1957, when the Seamaster and Speedmaster were introduced, followed by a more experimental ten-year period leading up to the quartz crisis.

In vintage Speedmaster collecting, it is common knowledge that early models featuring the Calibre 321 are particularly desirable, with a price tag to match. However, Omega did not exclusively use this movement in Speedmaster’s, the Seamaster chronograph line of the era was also powered by the Cal. 321 and remains somewhat of a hidden gem six decades later.

The present example, reference 105.005, dates to 1966 and features a beautifully proportioned 35 mm case and a silver tachymeter dial that has developed a gentle, warm patina over the past 60 years. The printing is razor sharp throughout, with only a few faint marks, which are typical for silver dials of this age. All tritium lume plots remain intact and have aged to a rich, creamy hue. The hands are Omega service replacements. The original beads-of-rice bracelet is in stunning condition, with minimal stretch.

The movement arrived in excellent health and is currently running at +5 s/day, with an amplitude of 299° and a beat error of 0.2 ms. It is difficult to convey just how good these look on the wrist until you try one on. A beautiful vintage chronograph that works just as well with formal attire as it does with weekend wear.