CIRCA: 1964
REF.: 105.003-64
CASE MATERIAL: Stainless steel
CASE DIMENSIONS: 39 mm in diameter
DIAL: Black with shades of "tropical" dark brown and beautifully aged luminous hour markers
BRACELET MATERIAL: OMEGA signed ref. 1067 in stainless steel with 532 end links
BRACELET SIZE: 7-1/4 to 8 inches
MOVEMENT: Manual wind
FUNCTIONS: Time, chronograph, and tachymeter
CALIBER: Omega 321 (Lemania base)
The OMEGA Speedmaster has always been synonymous with the U.S. Space program, as OMEGA was the only watch manufacturer to be approved by NASA after passing a rigorous test protocol. The 105.003 was the last model produced with classic straight lugs and was worn by Ed White for the historic first space walk during the 1965 Gemini 4 mission. The present example is an unpolished tropical masterpiece with ghost bezel, beautifully aged brown dial, and full-length 1067 stretch link bracelet.
Condition
Dial with few small spots between the center post and the "12" hour marker as well as minor paint loss along the very edge of the dial running from the "4" to the "8" hour markers. Some discoloration along the sloping edge of the seconds subregister. Luminous material on the dial minute hand is fully intact, appears to be original to the watch, and has aged in spots to a slight grey-olive color. Luminous material in the hands appears to be original to the watch and has aged to a beautiful creamy color; some loss of luminous material from the hour hand. Bracelet in good condition with small dents on the end links and first link of the bracelet; clasp significantly dented. Case perhaps unpolished and in very good condition with scratches throughout commensurate with age and regular wear. Bottom reset pusher replaced. Overall in very good vintage condition.
Any reference to condition in a condition report will not include a full description of condition, and for example, may not specify all faults, alteration, adaptation, mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, or dial. Colors and shades may look different online or in printed materials than they look on physical inspection, and images may not clearly show the condition of a lot. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot in person and make their own evaluation of the lot. They must understand that any statement made by Fortuna Auction LLC ("Fortuna") is merely a subjective, qualified statement and does not constitute a representation, warranty, or assumption of liability by Fortuna. All dimensions in catalog descriptions are approximate. No warranties are made that watches in water-resistant cases are currently water-resistant. Fortuna does not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets or leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts.
Pre-owned watches, unless still in original packaging or never worn, will likely have some degree of wear and scratches. This should be expected for many of the watches offered in auction. Even if a watch is running and keeping time, bidders and buyers should expect that all movements will require maintenance. Fortuna recommends that all successful buyers promptly take their watches to a professional watchmaker for evaluation.
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