- Brand: OMEGA
- Made: 1964
- Model: Speedmaster
- Reference: 105.012
- Calibre: 321
- Movement: Manual
- Material: Stainless steel
- Features/complications: Chronograph and Tachymetre bezel
- Dial: Black matt dial with luminous painted baton indexes, outer minute/seconds divisions, outermost 1/5 second divisions featuring subsidiary seconds at 9 o’clock, 30 minute register at 3 o’clock and 12 hour register at 6 o’clock with luminous baton hands, and arrowhead centre chronograph seconds
- Case dimensions: 42mm
- Bracelet/strap: Stainless steel bracelet
- Accessories: Extract from the Archives
- SKU: 02402
Essay: OMEGA introduced the Speedmaster reference ST105.012 in 1964 as the successor to the straight cased 105.003 ‘Ed White,’ although both watches were actually produced concurrently.
The ST105.012 was the first OMEGA Speedmaster to feature the larger asymmetric case introduced to their tool watches in the mid-60s. These incorporated the now famous ‘Lyre’ lugs, which had guards for both the winding crown and chronograph pushers. This case style has lasted in many OMEGA lines up to the present day. It was also the first Speedmaster to have Professional printed on the dial.
The ST105.012 has all of the characteristic traits of a Pre-Moon Speedmaster, including the applied metal logo, stepped dial and longer hour indices. It is distinguished from the later ST145.012 by the unique, flattened ‘mushroom’ pushers
It was this Speedmaster reference worn by both Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong on Apollo XI that gave the Speedmaster its legendary moniker ‘The Moon Watch.’ During the mission, the electronic timer on the Lunar Module failed so Neil Armstrong left his watch onboard to serve as a backup, leaving Buzz Aldrin to wear the first Speedmaster on the surface of the moon.
It was the penultimate Speedmaster to feature one of world’s most famous chronograph calibres, the venerable Calibre 321. The Lemania based movement was a manually wound, lateral clutch, column wheel chronograph. Designed by Albert-Gustave Piguet it is a horological icon, known for its peerless reliability and technical brilliance