As even the most novel of collectors knows, the usual dial color of vintage steel Speedmaster references is black. While this is a widely correct statement, there are in fact extremely few and highly sought-after exceptions to this rule: the famed colored dials, represented here by this exceptional grey dial Speedmaster ref. 105.003.

While these dials are without a doubt Omega creations, and were mounted in watches that were subsequently put on the market, their genesis is still shrouded in mystery. Scholars have put forward two options: either they were made following a special request, or they were prototypes which did not make it into mass production but were eventually used rather than being discarded. Whatever their origin, they are now considered by Speedmaster collectors “endgame” pieces.

The present example, confirmed as being born with silvered light grey (dial) with luminous indexes by the manufacturer, arrives to us in extremely appealing condition and, incredibly, with the original bezel graduated to 15 pulsations.

It is worth noting that the market has seen grey and blue Speedmaster dials in different configurations: with or without the Ts next to the “Swiss Made” designation, with short indexes or long indexes cutting through the fifth of a second divisions, and finally, with or without the “Professional” designation. The present configuration is exactly as the one described and illustrated in Moonwatch Only, 60 years of Omega Speedmaster, page 493: with larger minutes scale, main indexes and the two luminous dots at 12 o’ clock hardly touch the edge of the central dial, the “ Swiss Made” inscription is pushed down to the very end of the dial making it hard to see and without the “Professional” designation. An outstandingly rare and attractive gem, the likes of which may need many years to reappear on the market, this highly unusual Speedmaster perfectly exemplifies what keeps collectors coming back to this wonderful and iconic chronograph.