Omega Speedmaster ref. 105.003-65, 'Ed White'

Dealer description — Oliver & Clarke

The Omega Speedmaster is one of the most historically important, if not the most important wrist watch ever produced, full stop. Its story can be summed up with one simple acronym: NASA. Surely, this is not a watch that needs an introduction with our audience.... And as with so many other icons and popular vintage models, the Speedmaster has seen countless iterations and variants over its nearly 70-years of continuous production. The Reference that we have here, a 105.003-65 'Ed White,' was produced from 1963-1969 and is without a doubt one of the most instantly recognizable and important Speedmaster variants ever made. It's namesake was a great man, best known for his endeavors into space with NASA and its Gemini IV project. In addition to being a highly qualified astronaut, Ed White was the first human being to ever perform a spacewalk, and he happened to be wearing a Reference 105.003. This particular example dates to circa 1967 and is offered in fantastic overall condition. The case remains thick and symmetrical at each corner, with sharp undersides and normal wear present throughout. The black 'Dot Over 90' bezel insert shows matching wear and has developed a gentle navy blue fade. It retains its correct signed crown, pushers, inner dust cover, and signed screw-down caseback. It comes fitted to a slightly later, though appropriate 'flat-link' bracelet with a signed blade clasp. Of course, powering this piece is the legendary Cal. .321 manual-winding chronograph movement — regarded as one of the finest ever produced. Vintage Omega, with Speedmasters in particular, are something of a bargain on the market today, relative to their position just five or so years ago... Pricing for an example like this would have started with a '2 ,' making the one we have here an excellent pick-up. We've got nothing but faith and love in what is very likely the most important wrist watch of all time.