Omega Speedmaster: To the Moon and Back | Celebrating 50 years since Apollo 11

Omega Speedmaster: To the Moon and Back | Celebrating 50 years since Apollo 11

View full screen - View 1 of Lot 23. OMEGA |  SPEEDMASTER REF 105.012-66 'U.S.N', A STAINLESS STEEL CHRONOGRAPH WRISTWATCH, MADE IN 1967.

OMEGA | SPEEDMASTER REF 105.012-66 'U.S.N', A STAINLESS STEEL CHRONOGRAPH WRISTWATCH, MADE IN 1967

Auction Closed

July 19, 08:01 PM GMT

Estimate

10,000 - 15,000 USD

Lot Details

Description

OMEGA

SPEEDMASTER REF 105.012-66 'U.S.N'

A STAINLESS STEEL CHRONOGRAPH WRISTWATCH, MADE IN 1967


Dial: black

Caliber: cal. 321 manual winding movement, 17 jewels

Movement number: 24'955'264

Case: stainless steel, outer caseback further engraved 'CHARLES E. CARLSON, U.S.N B633436'

Closure: stainless steel associated buckle

Dimensions: 42 mm diameter

Signed: case, dial and movement

Accessories: Accompanied by an Extract from the Archives confirming date of manufacture on August 28, 1967 and subsequent delivery to the United States. 

The historical importance of the Omega Speedmaster reference 105.012 cannot be overstated enough. As the official successor of reference ST 105.002, it was produced between 1964 and 1968 alongside the last standing straight-lug reference, the 105.003.


The new case design and philosophy introduced the Professional signature to a dial many collectors appreciate. This particular black Singer dial indeed combines an applied logo with the new Professional signature, a combination which was prompted until the release of the subsequent reference 145.022.


The production of the 105.012 was staggered in consecutive sub-references 105.012-63, -64, -65 and finally -66. The 105.012-66 was effectively the final iteration of this reference with an estimated 2/3rd of the cases manufactured by La Centrale Boîtes alongside the Huguenin-Frères cases, between 1967 and 1968. The CB cases can exclusively be found on reference 105.012-66 with serials ranging from 24.533.xxx to 25.488.xxx, adding to the elusive appeal of the watch.


The present Speedmaster reference 105.012-66 is a greatly preserved example of the Centrale Boîtes (CB) design. The lugs are twisted (therefore not lyre lugs) and display the characteristic CB flat top and slight bevel. As to further-confirm this exciting feature, the inner-caseback proudly displays the elusive CB hallmark. The correct stepped Professional dial displays a spaced T SWISS MADE T script at 6 o’clock, long tritium markers to the minute scale and the correct font for the signature. The case bears finally the correct 5mm wide pushers and a black Base 500 Tachymeter Dot Over Ninety (“DON”) bezel.


Additionally, the present lot is engraved to the caseback with the “Charles E. Carlson” name and “U.S.N. B633436”, referring to the original owner and his affiliation with the US Navy. This feature does not imply that the watch was effectively used for military purposes but adds to the fascinating provenance and appeal of the present lot.