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Omega Speedmaster Prof. 105.003 Don bezel

The Omega Speedmaster 105.003: A Time Capsule from 1965. 

There are watches that tell the time, and there are watches that shaped history. This Omega Speedmaster from 1965, bearing the legendary reference number 105.003, undeniably belongs to the latter category. Connoisseurs know this model as the “Ed White,” named after the astronaut who wore this exact type of watch during the very first American spacewalk.

Inside the slim 39mm case, recognizable by its characteristic straight lugs and lack of crown guards, beats the world’s most coveted chronograph movement: the Calibre 321. This hand-wound, column-wheel masterpiece was the mechanical brain chosen by NASA after the most rigorous testing any watch has ever endured.

What makes this particular example truly rare is its condition. The Tritium dial tells a story of sixty years of history; The indexes have beautifully faded to a warm, creamy patina. This beautifully weathered dial contrasts perfectly with the original hands, including the rare central seconds hand with its iconic “Drop Counterweight” window.

Surrounding the crystal is the collector’s holy grail: the original DON (Dot Over Ninety) bezel. In a world where many of these fragile aluminum bezels have been replaced during maintenance, an original 1965 Dot Over Ninety is a testament to pure originality. The accent on the “È” in Tachymètre and the specific position of the dot above 90 make this watch a true masterpiece.

This watch is not just a technical instrument; it’s a survivor. With its original buckle and the “T SWISS MADE T” inscription at the bottom of the dial, every detail evokes the spirit of early space travel. Although the 105.003 was the last Speedmaster without the “Professional” inscription on the dial, it’s the watch that set the professional standard for lunar voyages.

A rare opportunity to own a tangible piece of history that has not only stood the test of time but has become even more beautiful.

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€ 12.900

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Brand Omega Speedmaster
Bracelet/strap: Leather
Model Speedmaster
Buckle/clasp Original steel buckle
Crystal Acrylic
Lug Width 19 mm
Dial color Black, weathered dial
Set Content Watch only
Movement Hand-wound
Warranty 2 year (AWCo)
Diameter 39 mm

The Omega Speedmaster was introduced in 1957, as a racing chronograph. Little did Omega know that a different fate altogether awaited their creation.

When John F. Kennedy announced that the USA would put a man on the moon before the end of the 1960’s, NASA went into overdrive. The Gemini and Apollo missions would all culminate in “One small step for man…” in 1969.

One detail within that endeavor, is the selection of a proper watch for the space missions. NASA started putting a number of chronographs from different brands under extreme stress. Shock, temperature change, vibration, humidity, the watches were spared no horror. The Speedmaster came out on top in 1965 and was selected as the watch of choice. No slick marketing deals here. Chosen on merit alone.

Coincidentally, astronaut Wally Schirra already wore his personal Ref. CK2998 Speedmaster on a Mercury mission in 1962. In 1965, Ed White would go on the first ever spacewalk wearing a NASA-issued Ref. 105.003-65.

From 1965 onwards, all Apollo astronauts wore Speedmasters. Including Buzz Aldrin when he set foot on the moon, wearing his Ref. 105.012. Neil Armstrong had left his Speedy in the lunar module when setting those legendary first steps.

In 1970, Apollo 13 got into serious trouble after a service-module oxygen tank ruptured. With most systems down, the astronauts had to manually time 14-second rocket bursts in order to get back to earth. They used Jack Swigert’s Speedmaster for the job. Omega was awarded the Snoopy award in recognition of the crucial role of the watch in a safe return. A comic character featured on many special editions since.

Aesthetically, the Speedmaster Professional has not changed much since those days. A rough division can be made between pre-moon and post-moon Speedies. The transition point is the inclusion of the “Flight qualified by NASA” inscriptions on the case back, although some people erroneously mark 321 caliber Speedies as pre-moon and 861 caliber variants as post-moon.

For the keen-eyed, there are tons of subtle variations within the Speedmaster line. And that is before we look at the broader Speedy-scope, with all its special editions and interestingly-shaped Mark  models. You can really go deep on Speedy-specifics. Regardless of which precise variant you settle on, you will have an iconic watch with the single best backstory ever.

At AWCo we put the safety of our shipments upfront at all times. Therefore, we ship all our packages insured.

We strive to promptly handle packages to minimize delays. Delivery times begin from the day of dispatch. While we make every effort to ensure smooth delivery, we cannot be held responsible for delays caused by destination customs, local duties, taxes, or lost items during transit.

Certainly, we understand that overloaded mail-order companies can also contribute to potential delays in the delivery process. Despite our best efforts, external factors beyond our control may affect shipping times. Rest assured, we remain committed to providing timely service and will work diligently to ensure your order reaches you as promptly as possible. For any inquiries or updates, feel free to reach out to us at info@awco.nl. Your satisfaction is our priority.