Omega Speedmaster 'Ed White'

Why We Love It

3… 2… 1… Liftoff!

Take a poll amongst wristwatch collectors, and we'd bet the consensus would be that there might be nothing more important or iconic in a watch collection than an Omega Speedmaster. 

Sure, chronographs such as the Rolex Daytona or the Heuer Carrera are classics - icons even, but neither can match the stature of the Speedy with regards to importance in history. In fact, arguably no watch can.

This 'Ed White' Reference 105.003 dates to circa 1967 and is powered by the Calibre .321 movement, considered to be one of the best chronograph mechanisms ever designed. A correct 'Dot Over 90' (DO90) bezel shows even wear and patination, a sign that the piece was thoroughly enjoyed by the previous owners. The patinated Tritium indices show signs of being re-lumed and have a matching handset. 

 At 38.5mm, the straight lug HF case wears extremely well for a chronograph and really does suit just about every occasion. This example may not win any awards or ever be invited into a museum collections, but then again - we were trying to remember what year it was last when you could score an Ed White for under $12K.

Let's just say you'd need a different type of time machine to make that work!

The Story

History was made on a desert steppe in southern Kazakhstan. From the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Sputnik 1, the first artificial satellite, was launched. After Vostok 1, during which Yuri Gagarin became the first man in space, the launchpad from which both missions were launched was named “Gagarin’s Start.”

And it was from Gagarin’s Start in March 1965 that Alexey Leonov would make history once more in Voskhod 2. 

After Voskhod 2 orbited the Earth, Leonov’s crew member, Pavel Belyayev, helped him strap an EVA backpack to his Golden Eagle spacesuit. Then Belyayev inflated and pressurized the spacecraft’s Volga airlock. Equipped with the EVA backpack, which gave him 40 minutes of oxygen, Leonov entered the airlock.

Belyayev sealed the spacecraft behind him, and Leonov opened the hatch and pushed out as far as his 17.6 foot tether would allow. He could see the vast expanse of Europe beneath him, stretching wide from the Straits of Gibraltar to the Caspian Sea. For 12 minutes he stayed outside, as the cameras attached to the outside of the airlock recorded his historic spacewalk—the first ever attempted by man.

Two months later, his American counterpart, Ed White, would follow in his footsteps.

On Ed White’s wrist was an Omega Speedmaster, Reference 105.003.

Our Pledge

Analog:Shift stands behind the authenticity of our products in perpetuity.

Condition

Since our pieces are vintage or pre-owned, please expect wear & patina from usage and age. Please read each item description and examine all product images.

Warranty

We back each Analog:Shift vintage timepiece with a one-year mechanical warranty from the date of purchase.

International Buyers

Please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.

All of our watches include complementary insured shipping within the 50 states.

Most of our products are on hand and will ship directly from our headquarters in New York City. In some cases, watches will be shipped directly from one of our authorized partners.

We generally ship our products via FedEx, fully insured, within 5 business days of purchase. An adult signature is required for receipt of all packages for insurance purposes. Expedited shipping is available at an additional cost. We are also happy to hand deliver your purchase in Manhattan or you may pick it up at our showroom.

Returns must be sent overnight or by priority international delivery, fully insured and paid for by the customer. A restocking fee may apply. Watches must be returned in the same condition as initially shipped.

We welcome international buyers, please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.