
Wristwatches · Wristwatch
Omega Speedmaster Ed White Tropical Dial Ref 105.003, 1966
- Maker / attribution
- Omega (maker)
- Date
- 1966
- Historical period
- Modern Mechanical Horology (1945 – 1969)
- Country of origin
- Switzerland
- Object type
- Wristwatch
- Dimensions
- Case 42 mm
- Stock no.
- W-2487
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, Bulang & Sons (W-2487)
- Catalogue title (original)
- Omega Speedmaster Ed White Tropical Dial Ref 105.003 (English)
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Record summary
Catalogued by Bulang & Sons (dealer), Copenhagen (stock number W-2487), this is a wristwatch by Omega, made in Switzerland, dated 1966. The Atlas places it in the Modern Mechanical Horology period (1945 – 1969) of its Wristwatches collection. Recorded dimensions: Case 42 mm. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.
Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.
Catalogue description
Dealer description — Bulang & Sons
We are delighted to offer such a great example of this iconic Speedy. This reference is the last of the straight lug Speedmasters and has a special historical significance, as it was the reference worn by Ed White. In 1965, during the Gemini 4 mission, Ed White became the first American to conduct a spacewalk. White opened the hatch and used the hand-held manoeuvring oxygen-jet gun to push himself out of the capsule. The watch he was wearing was an Omega Speedmaster reference 105.003. The case is in good condition as is the rest of this stunning watch 1 The dial has turned a beautiful milk chocolate brown hue and has the correct TSWISST markings, lack of Professional text and long hour markers and remains in good condition. The bezel is the original and the correct ‘dot over 90’ (DON) bezel that has faded to a cool grey. We have fitted this cool Speedy with one of our Speedmaster leather straps. The watch has been fully serviced by our watchmaker. We love Speedys and we love talking about them with you guys. You are welcome to visit us here at our lounge or we can arrange a call! Specifications: - Reference 155.003 - 42 mm steel case - Straight lug case - Rare faded to grey DO90 bezel - Milk chocolate tropical - Cal 321 movement - Mvt Serial 2401xxxx dating to 1966 - Bulang and Sons Speedmaster strap - Fully serviced by our watchmaker - Includes a handmade leather watch pouch
Historical context
Modern Mechanical Horology (1945 – 1969)
Tool watches for divers, pilots and astronauts; electric watches anticipate the electronic age.
The classic era of the mechanical wristwatch: dive watches, chronographs for motor racing and space flight, GMT watches for jet travel, slim dress watches, automatic calendars, and the rise of Japanese manufacturers alongside Swiss, American, German and Soviet industries.
Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking
Atlas type guide
Wristwatches
Bracelet watches were worn by women from the early nineteenth century — Breguet made one for Caroline Murat, Queen of Naples, in 1810–12 — but the wristwatch only became a man's instrument with military use and aviation in the early twentieth century. Between the World Wars it overtook the pocket watch; the 1920s and 1930s brought rectangular Art Deco cases, water-resistant cases and the first automatic winding systems.
After 1945 the wristwatch became a carrier of identity — dress watches, sports and dive watches, chronographs, calendars — produced by Swiss, American, Japanese, German, Soviet and Chinese industries. The quartz revolution after 1969 and the mechanical renaissance since the 1990s, including the rise of independent watchmakers, complete the story.
What to look for
- The reference number (between the lugs or inside the case back) and serial number, the starting point for dating.
- The calibre: its maker and number are often stamped under the dial or on the bridge.
- Originality of dial, hands and crown — refinished ('redial') dials are common.
- Case material marks: 18K/750, 14K/585, stainless steel, gold-filled, plated.
Dating clues
- Wire-lug cases: before c. 1925.
- Water-resistant screw-down cases: from 1926.
- Quartz movements: from 1969; sapphire crystals widespread after c. 1980.
General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.
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