Omega Speedmaster: To the Moon and Back | Celebrating 50 years since Apollo 11
Omega Speedmaster: To the Moon and Back | Celebrating 50 years since Apollo 11
OMEGA | SPEEDMASTER REF 105.003-65 'PRE-PROFESSIONAL', A STAINLESS STEEL CHRONOGRAPH WRISTWATCH WITH BRACELET, MADE IN 1968
Auction Closed
July 19, 08:01 PM GMT
Estimate
20,000 - 30,000 USD
Lot Details
Description
OMEGA
SPEEDMASTER REF 105.003-65 'PRE-PROFESSIONAL'
A STAINLESS STEEL CHRONOGRAPH WRISTWATCH WITH BRACELET, MADE IN 1968
Dial: black
Caliber: cal. 321 manual winding movement, 17 jewels
Movement number: 24'535'839
Case: stainless steel
Closure: stainless steel Omega bracelet with folding clasp, no. 13, stamped 1035 and 1501, dated 4.66, endlinks stamped 6
Dimensions: 38 mm diameter, bracelet circumference approximately 190 mm
Signed: case, dial and movement
Accessories: Accompanied by an Omega presentation box, international guarantee, Omega booklet, leather booklet holder, four extra links, and an Extract from the Archives confirming date of manufacture on June 20, 1967 and subsequent delivery to the United Kingdom.
It is this reference of the Speedmaster, the 105.003, that became the first official watch certified for space use by NASA in 1965. It is additionally the last ‘Pre-Professional’ Speedmaster and also the last reference with straight lugs. The present lot is a well preserved and attractive example of the reference, the dial having aged to a soft grey color. The reference 105.003-65 bears a curious detail within. The case back is signed with ‘RJ’ or ‘FJ’, a signature that has only been found on this reference, and the maker remains unknown. It can be surmised that as Omega was winding down production of the straight lug Speedmasters, the company outsourced these cases, and allowed their normal partners such as Heguenin Frères (HF) and Le Centrale Boites (CB). For another example of the reference 105.003-65 with this case signature see lot 24.