105.003
This reference is often referred to as the Ed White, as the astronaut wore this reference during his spaceflight in 1965, on Gemini 4.
It is the last, and most prolific of the straight lug Speedmasters, and has the largest range of values. As of 2024 the most expensive black dialed Ed White was sold for just under $30,000 with full box and papers, and was not in NOS condition – meaning it might be possible to achieve a higher price with a NOS example. This is rare air, and most “Excellent” examples will sell $22,000 – $28,000.
The least expensive Ed White I have seen in last 12 months sold for $4,500. It was complete, bar a missing pusher, and every other part was either damaged or decayed. Once serviced and cleaned, pushers replaced, I estimate the watch might have sold for $8,000. This was becasue the dial and bezel, while correct, were low on the attraction scale.
Therefore when buying an Ed White we must be certain of the quality condition and attraction of the watch as the values can vary so widely.
One of the most challenging things to find is an attractive Ed White for $10,000 to $14,000.
A good example of a 105.003-64. I believe the hands on this watch are re painted. This is very common and has little effect on the ultimate value, if done well.
This is the last of the straight lug cases, and were produced over quite a long period. While the case backs show a date stamp of -63, -64, -65, there are confirmed cases of watches released from the factory up to 1969. This reference clearly illustrates the delays some watches experienced between manufacture, shipping and sale.
This is the most plentiful of all the straight lugs on the market at any given time, suggesting that these were produced in much greater numbers than all the other straight lugs put together. It also means we have a very wide variation in quality and price.
When looking at an Ed White the first thing to check of course is the dial and these are all non-professional, stepped with long hour indices and close spaced T marks.
There is no real difference between the values of the dates other than that the quality dictates. That said certain collectors may seek out individual dates for their collections but I do not think (so far) it changes values.
Here are the details for the references.
Calibre 321
Serial Range:
- -63 2052 1xxx – 2052 6xxx
- -64 2052 7xxx – 2282 7xxx and 2208 9xxx
- -65 2282 7xxx – 2544 6xxx
Dial
- Stepped
- applied metal logo
- No Professional text
- Close spaced T SWISS MADE T
- Long Hour indices
Case
- Straight lugs, 19mm
- Caseback- double step with speedmaster engraved on rear
Hands
- Hour/minute – baton
- Subdial – Stick, painted
- Chrono – spear
Pushers
- 4.5 x 3.5 mm
Crown
- 7mm
Bezel
- Black BASE 500 bezel with dot over 90 (DO90)
105.003-63
The example above is marked -63 in the back. Note the movement has the correct clutch bridge, (asymmetric). Note also the pushers which appear original, certainly the are original specification and size, as is the crown. The sides probably been re brushed, but on a case that is still thick with good definitions. It is a very good example.
105.003-64
The example above belongs to a friend of mine (it is his photo, and more details can been seen on his excellent Speedmaster site here.) ] and shows a wonderful blue bezel. We do sometimes see these blue bezels, most commonly on Ed whites. I have to say I think the photograph is probably helped along to accentuate the blue – but it is very striking. These bezels are very sensitive to light, in that they show very differently under different lighting conditions. What makes the 64 slightly special is that there is a strong possibility it has a unique case indicated by the flat profile on the side of the lugs. This is discussed on Omega forums here. In general -64’s are very rare and you are much more likely to come across a -65 than a -64.
Here is another example of a -64 showing the flat sides.
105.003-65
The watch above is recently acquired, and is typical of an “owned watch. Bought from the family of the original owner, this watch clearly has use, but not much has been changed. The dial plots are poor and have lost a lot of material. The bezel is fair. It is therefore a watch that can easily be used every day without worrying about losing value by accidental damage.
The following example is an extremely fine example, and in an open market auction might exceed the Excellent grade:
This watch is extremely special as it is completely original and has an oral family history with paperwork to verify it.
Finally I show here an inexplicable result from Antiquorum where this Ed White sold for $104,000. I consider this an outlier and will not be using this to influence the price chart.
We can clearly see the dial has a kind of dandruff. The sale is very strange, and this was not the only example to cause observers to scratch their heads.
Full details of the sale here.
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