Wristwatches · Wristwatch
Omega Speedmaster ST 105.003 "Ed White" with Archive Papers
- Maker / attribution
- Omega (maker)
- Date
- 1969
- Historical period
- Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)
- Country of origin
- Switzerland
- Object type
- Wristwatch
- Stock no.
- SQ1162582
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, Collectors Corner NY (SQ1162582)
- Catalogue title (original)
- Omega Speedmaster ST 105.003 "Ed White" w/Archive Papers (English)
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Record summary
Catalogued by Collectors Corner NY (dealer), New York (stock number SQ1162582), this is a wristwatch by Omega, made in Switzerland, dated 1969. The Atlas places it in the Quartz Revolution period (1969 – 1990) 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 — Collectors Corner NY
It's difficult to overstate the importance of the Omega Speedmaster in horological history. Initially developed for racing, the model would eventually become the apple of NASA's eye for use in space. During early testing, the "Ed White" (prod. '64 - '69) became the first Speedmaster to achieve the necessary requirements for NASA's spaceflight missions. The nickname of course came from the now legendary astronaut who was the first human to perform the "space walk." Considered to be one of, if not the most important reference, the ST 105.003 was used during all of the Gemini missions. It should also be noted that Omega's high grade caliber 321 movement is arguably their most significant being that it was used for this model, in addition to their earliest "Broad Arrow" Speedmaster, introduced in 1957. According to archive papers sourced from Omega in 2017, this piece was produced in January of 1969, making it a final production year example. We believe this watch to be in stunning collector grade condition and look forward to finding it the home it deserves. Explore more of our vintage Omega watches .
Historical context
Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)
Seiko's Astron begins mass quartz timekeeping; traditional industries contract sharply.
Quartz and digital watches transformed the market after 1969. Swiss employment collapsed, Japanese and Hong Kong production soared, and the Swatch (1983) helped the Swiss industry recover; mechanical watches survived as luxury goods.
Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Modern Mechanical Horology
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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