OMEGA, REF. 105.012-66 CB STAINLESS STEEL 'SPEEDMASTER PROFESSIONAL' WATCH

Maker: Omega
Model: Speedmaster Professional
Reference number: REF. 105.012-66 CB
Movement number: 24956532
Year: Circa 1966
Case size: Approx. 42 mm
Case material: Stainless steel
Bezel: Black tachymeter
Dial: Black, faded to 'tropical' dark brown
Movement: Manual wind
Bracelet/Strap: Brown leather
Functions: Chronograph
Stamps: Inner case back: ACIER INOXYDABLE OMEGA WATCH CO FAB SUISSE SWISS MADE 105.012-66. Movement: 24956532.

This lot is located in Chicago.

The OMEGA Speedmaster was introduced in 1957 as a chronograph created for drivers in automotive racing with the tachymeter bezel allowing for drivers to easily calculate speed over a fixed course or track. However, it would reach iconic status by eventually reaching spaceflight qualification by NASA, beating several of the highest grade chronographs from the 1960s era in a competition overseen by James Ragan at NASA.

The reference 105.012 was the first Speedmaster with crown and pusher guards, garnering the “Professional” name on the dial for the asymmetrical case upgrade. Among the reference 105.012 (which started with a -63 and went through -66), arguably the most desirable is the 105.012-66 with the "CB" case. The cases of these watches were made by le Centrale Boites and feature the CB initials inside a tombstone-style outline on the inside of the case back. The CB cases are distinctive from all other Speedmaster Professional watches ever made as they feature bevels on the top of the lugs that are sometimes referred to as "Twisted Flat Lugs" or "TFL". Collectors rightly love the look of an unpolished CB case, as it is chunky and interesting architecturally.

This example is fresh to market and in outstanding condition. The dial has a rich, almost tropical brown color to it when in the sun. The dial appears to be original to the watch and is correctly stepped with an applied OMEGA logo and the original tritium luminous material on the hour markers. The register hands also appear to be original and the central seconds hand has the correct fishtail counterbalance. The crown seems to be a replacement, which is common with vintage Speedmasters, but the pushers appear to be the original flat and stubby pushers, which are often replaced on these and extremely difficult to find.

The tachymeter bezel is the rare, desirable, and expensive "Dot Over 90" or "DON" bezel that has traded for as much as approximately $5,000 by itself. It features the distinctive dot over the top right of the 90 on the tachymeter bezel. The inside movement cover also appears to be original and is in good condition. The movement features the rare "UNADJUSTED" engraving by the movement number (24956532) and OXG import code engraving indicating it was originally imported to the United States.

The chronograph is running well and the chronograph is keeping good time. It is powered by the highly admired calibre 321, which was recently re-released to the excitement of many Speedy lovers. The caliber 321, made by Lemania for OMEGA, was used during all the Apollo missions and reached the surface of the moon.

The dimensions are 42mm in diameter with a lug width of 20mm. It is on an attractive brown rally leather strap that complements the beautiful dial. Overall, this is a dream watch for a collector of Speedmasters and chronographs. For those wanting to bring one of mankind's great accomplishments - visiting the moon - to their wrist, this is a great opportunity.