Lorologiese.com – Chronoservice.ch Sagl © 2025 All Rights Reserved
Made With ♥ In Aldeia
Tropical Transformation: A Pictorial Essay on a unique Omega Speedmaster 105.003-65 ‘Ed White’
The Omega Speedmaster Reference 105.003-65 holds a special place in horological history.
Introduced in 1963, this model was the last of the “Pre-Professional” Speedmasters, preceding the design changes that accompanied NASA’s adoption of the Speedmaster for space missions.
Notably, astronaut Ed White wore a 105.003 during the first American spacewalk in 1965, cementing its legacy and earning it the moniker “Ed White” among collectors.
The Tropical Dial Phenomenon
One of the most captivating features of this particular 105.003-65 is its dial, which has aged to a rich, intense brown — a transformation commonly referred to as a “tropical” dial.
Originally manufactured with a black dial, certain environmental factors, such as prolonged exposure to sunlight and varying humidity levels, have caused the black nickel alloy plating to oxidize over time, resulting in this unique brown hue.
This natural metamorphosis is highly prized among collectors for its individuality and aesthetic appeal.
The dial of this Omega Speedmaster 105.003-65 is a textbook example of the correct tritium step dial used during this reference’s production run. It has the applied metal Omega logo, consistent with factory specifications prior to the transition to printed logos in later models.
- Correct stepped dial – Features a pronounced step around the outer edge, consistent with original 105.003-65 dials.
- Applied metal Omega logo – A hallmark of early Speedmasters, seen before the switch to printed logos in later models.
- Tritium dial – Marked “T SWISS MADE T” at 6 o’clock, with closely spaced “T”s, confirming its period-correct luminous material.
- Round “O” in Omega – The “O” is perfectly round, a detail specific to dials produced in the mid-1960s.
- Extended minute markers in the minute sub-register – The minute counter features longer hash marks, typical of this reference.
- “S” in Speedmaster with closed top loop – The upper curve of the “S” is closed and proportionally balanced, with a medium stroke width.
- Consistent, evenly aged tropical patina – The dial has transformed from black to a rich, intense brown tone due to natural aging, without spotting or uneven fading.
- Original lume – The luminous material in the hour markers and hands has aged evenly and matches in tone, indicating originality.
This dial checks all the critical markers of authenticity for a 105.003-65 and stands out for its exceptional tropical coloration, making it both correct and visually striking.
These subtle graphic details, often missed at a glance, are critical indicators for connoisseurs and underscore the dial’s untouched originality. In combination with its rare and richly tropicalized surface, this dial is not only correct — it is exceptional in its preservation and execution.
Bezel Characteristics
- Dot Over 90″ (DO90) – A hallmark of early Speedmaster bezels, specific to pre-1970 references.
- “Long C” in “TACHYMÈTRE” – The elongated curve in the “C” is correct for this production period.
- Accented “È” – The presence of the accent confirms early French-style tachymeter printing.
- Forward slash with vertical serif – The slash between units (e.g., “km/h”) features a clear vertical serif, typical of Type B2 bezels.
- “500” scale – The bezel includes a full 500 unit scale, correct for the 105.003-65 and other pre-Professional references.
- “7” with vertical serif – The number seven has a straight vertical serif at its top, confirming the correct typography used in this series.
These typographic and design features not only align perfectly with original Omega specifications from the mid-1960s but also enhance the bezel’s collectibility and verify its authenticity.
Case and Caseback Details
The 105.003-65 is housed in a 39mm stainless steel case characterized by its straight lugs, a design element that distinguishes it from later asymmetrical Speedmaster cases with crown guards.
The caseback has a double-step design with the “Speedmaster” engraving, and in this example, the bevels remain sharp, attesting to its well-preserved condition.
Hands and Crown
This timepiece has its original hands, including the baton-style hour and minute hands, along with the spear-shaped chronograph seconds hand—all filled with tritium lume that has aged consistently with the dial.
The crown is the correct “narrow Omega” variant.
Movement
At the heart of this Speedmaster is the revered Caliber 321, a column-wheel chronograph movement celebrated for its quality.
The movement’s serial number falls within the 24.5 million range, aligning perfectly with the production period of the 105.003-65, thereby corroborating its authenticity.
Conclusion
This Omega Speedmaster 105.003-65 encapsulates a pivotal moment in the evolution of chronograph design. Its tropical dial, coupled with the preservation of original components,
offers a tangible connection to the era when the Speedmaster transitioned from a racing chronograph to an icon of space exploration.
For collectors and enthusiasts, this timepiece represents not just Omega’s technical prowess but also a rich narrative woven into its very patina.
A final note for completeness: while the watch is fitted with an original vintage Omega stainless steel bracelet, it is not the reference-correct bracelet for the 105.003-65.
It remains an authentic Omega component from the same era, but collectors seeking full originality may wish to source the correct flat-link bracelet variant typically associated with this reference, such as the 7912 or 1035 with no. 6 end links.