Produced between 1964 and 1969, the reference 105.003 is the last Speedmaster model to feature a straight-lug case. The concurrent reference 105.012 (1964 - 1968) introduced the “lyre-style” lug which would become the sole standard for many years. Both references are descendants of reference 105.002, with reference 105.003 being a more “direct” continuation of the line, while ref. 105.012’s new case shape was meant to be a sturdier version of the model (hence the designation “Professional” which indeed appears for the first time on ref. 105.012).

The importance of reference 105.003 in the history of Omega is paramount as it was the first model to be officially selected by NASA for its crews. The model was submitted to testing in 1965 and it was finally selected as the official timepiece to be used during the Gemini missions. Its nickname “Ed White” comes in fact from the first astronaut to do a spacewalk; other cosmonauts who wore this reference during missions are: Jim Lovell, Frank Borman, John Young, “Gordo” Cooper, Eugene Cernan and Tom Stafford.

Considering the fact that it is the last representative of the "straight lugs" case design and also the first NASA-approved Speedmaster, the importance of this reference in the history of the company cannot be understated and it is to be considered a staple of any serious Speedmaster collection.