105.012

Produced 1963 to 1966

The 105.012 is the first asymmetric case Speedmaster, and the first are marked -63 in the back and have a dial without T marks. This reference was produced at a similar time to the 105.003 until it was replaced by the 145.012 in about 1967. The 105.003 continued to be released by the factory until 1969.

Original pushers on this reference are 5mm wide and  3mm tall (Strictly speaking they are 2.7mm tall but very hard to measure in situ.) and are known as Short and Fat pushers, or mushroom pushers. The original ones have fat necks when compared to service replacements.

For me the shorter fatter pushers are very attractive and fit with the case perfectly, and I especially value the originals with the fat necks.

Below is a side by side comparison with the original pushers on the left hand case.

 
 

The dials come in all variations of T marks, that is none, close spaced or wide spaced.

All are fitted with white baton hands, and all Chrono hands observed have been drop-end.

This is the first reference to have the PROFESSIONAL word on the dial, also the first asymmetric case, and was produced alongside the 105.003 for all of its production.

Its not his watch….but it was his box!

This reference has such a wide variety of specifications, there are collectors who concentrate only on this reference with good reason.

This reference is unusual in that for the -66 there were two manufacturers for the case. See below in the -66 section.

 105.012-63

105.012-63. This early reference is very rare and desirable. Note the SWISS marking at the lower dial. The shorter pushers are clearly noticeable from this angle. Nice grey bezel. As an aside, I bought this on ebay, advertised as a “1970’s Omega” with fuzzy photos, so I bought this as a 1970’s calbre 861, and found I had got the rarest asymmetric calibre 321. Very lucky.

The -63 also often caries the “symmetrical” clutch bridge, where as subsequent 105.012’s have the asymmetrical bridge that all later 321s carry.

Note as of September 2017: I have now seen a few 105.012-63 with an asymmetric bridge. I think I have to accept that either is correct. From a collectors point of view, the symmetric bridge is more interesting, but I would doubt it would affect the value.

Calibre 321

Serial Range:

2052 0xxx – 2052 1xxx

Dial

  • Stepped
  • Applied metal logo
  • Professional text
  • Usually  SWISS MADE – possibly with close spaced T’s

Case

  • Asymmetric case, 20 mm lugs
  • Case back- double step with Speedmaster engraved on rear

Hands

  • Hour/minute – baton
  • Subdial – Stick, painted
  • Chrono – spear

Pushers

  • 5mm x 3 mm

Crown

  • 7mm

Bezel

  • Black BASE 500 bezel with dot over 90 (DO90)

 

105.012-64

Very rare. The T’s are seen on all dials.

105.012-64 This example has a blueish bezel

Calibre 321

Serial Range:

2052 7xxx – 2282 5xxx

Dial

  • Stepped
  • applied metal logo
  • Professional text
  • Close spaced  SWISS MADE T’s, or wide space T’s

Case

  • Asymmetric case, 20 mm lugs
  • Caseback- double step with speedmaster engraved on rear

Hands

  • Hour/minute – baton
  • Subdial – Stick, painted
  • Chrono – spear

Pushers

  • 5mm x 3mm

Crown

  • 7mm

Bezel

  • Black BASE 500 bezel with dot over 90 (DO90)

105.012-65

105.012-65 with tropical dial. This one came from South America, and while the dial is not actually chocolate, it has acquired a pleasing patina – Just not as valuable as the galaxy-brown. Note the way the hands go with the dial. It is serviced, as can be seen by the new thin pusher tubes.

Calibre 321

Serial Range:

2282 5xxx – 2452 7xxx

Dial

  • Stepped
  • applied metal logo
  • Professional text
  • Close spaced  SWISS MADE T’s, or wide T’s

Case

  • Asymmetric case, 20 mm lugs
  • Case back- double step with Speedmaster engraved on rear

Hands

  • Hour/minute – baton
  • Subdial – Stick, painted
  • Chrono – spear

Pushers

  • 5mm x 3mm

Crown

  • 7mm

Bezel

  • Black BASE 500 bezel with dot over 90 (DO90)

105.012-66

105.012-66’s. On the left is the Huguenin Freres nad then the Centrale Boites on the right. Note the differences in the lug shape

The -66 seems to me the mst common of this reference offered for sale, and commes in two case executions. The 105.012-66 sub reference has two case manufacturers. Huguenin Freres who also made the cases for the previous references, and Centrale Boites.

The CB cases differ in that there is a small line between the polishing planes on the lugs. All the -66 case backs have a single step.

Double step -65 case back on left, and single step -66 case back on right.
Marked by the manufacturers, HF for Huguenin Freres and CB for Centrale Boites

Here is the close up details of the lug facet on the CB case.

105.012-66 case showing the facet junction
Line drawn to highlight the polishing junction, known in collecting circles as a “Facet ” Actually it is more accurately a facet edge.

Here again are the two different case types for comparison, first the HF case:

105.012-66HF. Note the lack of any facet lines on the lugs. The Telemetre bezel is probably later than the watch – its very hard to confirm. Photo courtesy Gemini4
105.012-66CB. With strong facet lines. This example has a top bezel, and is in very good condition all round with original pushers. Photo courtesy Gemini4

Calibre 321

Serial Range:

2453 xxxx-2544 xxxx

Dial

  • Stepped
  • applied metal logo
  • Professional text
  • Close spaced  SWISS MADE T’s and wide spaced T’s

Case

  • Asymmetric case, 20 mm lugs
  • Caseback- single step with speedmaster engraved on rear
  • CB case can show facet junction if not lost through polishing

Hands

  • Hour/minute – baton
  • Subdial – Stick, painted
  • Chrono – spear

Pushers

  • 5mm x 3mm

Crown

  • 7mm

Bezel

  • Black BASE 500 bezel with dot over 90 (DO90)

Now we go on to the 145.012

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