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Omega Speedmaster ref. 105.003-65, 'Ed White' Pulsations Bezel — view 1 of 6
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Wristwatches · Wristwatch

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

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Omega (maker)
Date
c. 1967
Country of origin
Switzerland
Object type
Wristwatch
Stock no.
OC3125
Credit line
Dealer listing, Oliver & Clarke (OC3125)
Catalogue title (original)
Omega Speedmaster Ref. 105.003-65 - 'Ed White' Pulsations Bezel (English)

View the source record (dealer listing) ↗ (opens another website in a new tab)Suggest a correction

Record summary

Catalogued by Oliver & Clarke (dealer), United Kingdom (stock number OC3125), this is a wristwatch by Omega, made in Switzerland, dated c. 1967. The Atlas places it in the Modern Mechanical Horology period (1945 – 1969) of its Wristwatches collection. 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 — 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 strong overall condition, with a thick and symmetrical case that shows normal signs of wear. It retains its correct signed crown, pushers, inner dust cover, and signed screw-down caseback. It comes fitted to a modern steel 'flat-link' bracelet with a blade clasp. Of course, powering this piece is the legendary Cal. .321 manual-winding chronograph movement — regarded as one of the finest ever produced. Last but not least, this piece possesses a very special and rare black 'pulsations' bezel, rather than the typical 'Dot Over 90' unit. 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.

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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