THE ESSENTIALS

MAKE: OMEGA
MODEL: 105.003-65
YEAR: 1966
BOX/PAPERS: NO/NO
CASE DIAMETER: 39mm
CASE MATERIAL: STAINLESS STEEL
BRACELET MATERIAL: STAINLESS STEEL
MOVEMENT: MANUAL WIND

The Speedmaster 105.003 is the last of the straight-lug, non-“Professional” Speedmasters. After this model, the 105.012 grew to 42mm, gained twisted lugs, and introduced the “Professional” text on the dial.

So, what makes this particular reference special? It was produced from 1963 to 1969—well, all Cal. 321 movements were—and Omega is noted to have used movements made during that period right up until ’69, supposedly to clear out leftover stock.

It was also the first watch worn on a spacewalk by any astronaut. On June 3rd, 1965, while floating hundreds of thousands of miles above the Earth, Ed White wore a 105.003 on each wrist: one set to Houston time, the other to mission time aboard Gemini IV. Nearly 60 years later, the Omega Speedmaster remains the only watch approved for EVA (extravehicular activity). How cool is that?

The watch houses the famous Cal. 321 movement, which Omega has re-released with a few modern updates in their latest limited-edition pieces. The 321 was the first movement ever used in a Speedmaster and the one that ultimately went to the moon.

This ST-65 example is one of the best we’ve seen. The dial and hands are all original, including the DON bezel. It has the rare double-reference 1035/1501/6 bracelet, stamped 4/66, which remains in great shape. The pushers are the correct medium type, and the crown is a new service replacement.

The movement has just undergone a full service with a mainspring change and is currently running at 0 s/d, 310 amps, with a beat error of 0.4.

In the world of ’60s and ’70s chronographs, and considering the heritage behind these pieces, values have stayed remarkably conservative. It’s great to see honest examples like this still out there.