Although it’s now known as the ‘Moonwatch’, the Omega Speedmaster was originally designed in 1957 as a racing and sports chronograph, complementing Omega’s position as the official timekeeper for the Olympic Games.
It caught the attention of NASA in 1962 when one of the first American astronauts on the Mercury 9 mission wore his own Omega Speedmaster during a flight. The astronauts then started pushing for an official watch that could be worn during space missions. NASA contacted several watch brands and selected three companies for further testing, Rolex, Longines and Omega. The watches underwent a series of processes called the “Qualification Test Procedures,” which included 11 different tests.
After the intense testing procedure that lasted from October 1964 to March 1965, only the Omega Speedmaster survived, and NASA declared it operational for space exploration and declared it ‘flight certified’.
In June 1965, Gemini IV became the second crewed spaceflight to lift off as part of NASA's Project Gemini. Astronauts James McDivitt and Ed White circled the Earth 66 times in four days. The highlight of the mission was the first space walk by an American, during which White floated free outside the spacecraft, whilst tethered to it, for approximately 20 minutes.
On this mission, Ed White wore an Omega Speedmaster ref 105.003. Omega Switzerland learned about it only after seeing an image of him during his spacewalk wearing the ‘Speedy’ strapped to his wrist with a Velcro band. This was the first time the Speedmaster had been exposed to the vacuum of space. The 105.003 was produced for just a short period of time (1963-1969) with the majority made in 1965, before the 145.012 model was introduced and chosen by NASA to accompany the Apollo 11 mission to put the first man on the moon. The 105.003 and prior models are informally known as 'Pre Moon' Speedmasters, since their manufacture predates the moon landings, with model 105.003 in particular given the nickname the 'Ed White' in recognition of his historic spacewalk.
Lot 204, Omega - A rare steel 'Speedmaster Pre Moon' wristwatch
At first glance, the ‘Pre Moon’ models look the same as the later Speedmasters, and although there are some subtle differences to the case, bezel and hands on some, the easiest way to see if you have a ‘Pre Moon’ is to look at the case back. ‘Pre Moons’ just have the logo of a Hippocampus – a mythical creature resembling a seahorse – together with the words ‘Speedmaster’, whereas the models produced after the moon landing have a small hippocampus in the centre with the words ‘Flight qualified by NASA in 1965 for all manned space missions. The first watch worn on the moon’ written around it.
To this day the Speedmaster remains qualified by NASA for spaceflight and is still the only one so qualified for spacewalks.
‘Pre moon’ Speedmasters, and the ‘Ed White’ 105.003 in particular, have become extremely desirable by watch collectors, and to find one with the original box and papers, and in a totally unrestored condition is an exceptional and exciting find.
To view the Speedmaster available at Cheffins on 17th August, please click here