Omega wristwatches have long been associated with NASA and the American manned moon flights of the late 1960s and 1970s. In 1964, their reference 105.003 “pre-professional” chronograph was released in three sub references the -63, -64 and -65 and it was the last model featuring straight lugs. That year Omega submitted two references 105.003-63 to NASA for rigorously testing and upon satisfactorily meeting all their requirements, NASA chooses the Speedmaster for its Gemini program, which preceded the Apollo program and sought to develop space travel techniques for the Apollo moon landing. In time, the model became known as the “Ed White” for the astronaut Edward Higgins White II, who on June 3, 1965 became the first astronaut to walk in space.

Produced between 1966 and 1969, the present example Speedmaster ref. ST105.003 featuring a -65 sub-model was made originally in 1967 and delivered to the United Kingdom. Preserved in excellent overall condition with an attractive tropicalized dial enhancing its vintage appeal, it is further delivered with an extract from Omega confirming the production of the present timepiece. Offered in all honest condition with correct components, these well-preserved pre-moon references are getting harder and harder to source for top quality examples.