#TBT One Decent Omega Speedmaster Ed White 105.003 For Me, Please!
Most of the time, I have my #TBT stories scheduled weeks, if not months, ahead. I’ve found it easier to follow the plan and not think way too long about what my weekly dose of vintage watch inspiration for you will be. But sometimes, the inspiration is so strong that I have to put my pen to paper instantly. And that’s what has happened now with this Omega Speedmaster Ed White ref. 105.003.
I don’t have any vintage Omega Speedmasters in my collection, so I do not have an Ed White. And, I admit, an Ed White was also not the first thing on my mind today. I wasn’t thinking of it yesterday, the day before, or even over the last few months. To be honest, I am not busy thinking about acquiring any vintage watch at all, as most of my savings lately are going into reconstructing a newly acquired old country house. How is it that we’re talking about this particular vintage Speedy today?
Blame Mike
The First Ed White reminder came earlier today when I spotted Mike’s Instagram story, where he sports his wildly aged Ed White
Blame procrastination
A few hours ago, I finally got to actual writing. My mind was set, and the blank document was ready. And that was the moment when an email from Chrono24 hit my inbox. I clicked on the link, and I was redirected to an ad. Why did I open it if I had ignored dozens of other Ed White 105.003 Omega Speedmaster listings before? I guess Mike’s post revived the desire to get my hands on that legendary watch. The watch thumbnail shot on the Chrono24 listing alert looked trustworthy, and its patina slightly reminded me of Mike’s watch.
Image courtesy: Jack Wong
Not this one
Another reason that made me click on the listing was the price tag. I do not follow the market closely, but I do not remember a decent 105.003 Omega Speedmaster listed below €10,000 for quite some time. I really liked it. The faded, heavily scratched DON bezel looks tougher than Clint Eastwood in your favorite western. The faded dial matches the dirty lume on the hands and “muddy” indexes. No other watch looks better with dirty lume on its hour indexes than the Omega Speedmaster. The presence of Omega service pushers is a downer but not exactly a deal breaker. But besides all the good, this was not an Ed White for me. But why?
Image courtesy: Jack Wong
Benchmark
There was one available for sale about two years ago. It was listed by a respected collector and watch friend, Jack Wong. Sadly, the watch was already sold when I double-checked all the details with RJ. It might have been polished in the past, but the case shape was still good and original. “Straight lug cases with thick fat bevels always make me shiver; these watches never left the factory like that.” RJ shared his knowledge with me, and I knew what to think about all of the “original” watches featuring added facets.
Image courtesy: Jack Wong
As RJ pointed out, this Ed White 105.003 Omega Speedmaster was well-worn but not worn out. What I liked the most was the perfect dial with almost no flaws. If you read some of my articles, you know that sandy-aged lume is something that I’m absolutely enthralled by. This specific Ed White would be a role model, a benchmark, and a textbook example. Today, just as it did two years ago, just looking at those pictures gives me a lot of satisfaction. Well, that would explain why yesterday’s Chrono24 listing left me unmoved.
The best vintage Omega Speedmaster
I believe I mentioned it earlier; I still have no vintage Omega Speedmaster. Over the years, I can control my urges. Over the years, I have learned to narrow my watch list to a few select pieces. And I can tell you for sure, alongside dozens of watch models I could easily sell on (including Heuer or Rolex watches), the Ed White 105.003 Omega Speedmaster would almost certainly survive the cleanse. It’s one of the very few watches I really would like to add to my collection. An Ed White 105.003 is the only Omega Speedmaster I need.
Image courtesy: Jack Wong
Here is why
Straight lugs, a 321 caliber, no crown guards, contrasting white baton hands, and a 39,5mm case diameter. These are five reasons, five specs you won’t find in any other Speedmaster. Straight lugs and a sub-40mm diameter provide the ultimate vintage vibe. Crown guards frustrate me often when winding. I find shiny dauphine hands hard to read, and white baton hands are the pinnacle of simplicity and function to me. I guess the 321 caliber needs no explanation. Those factors add up to make it the ultimate Speedy for me. No other Speedmaster can compete.
Image courtesy: Jack Wong
Final thoughts
I don’t dare make a purchase call myself. With vintage Speedmaster prices skyrocketing over the last decade, many speculators got attracted, and a lot of dirty business has been involved, including Frankens, swapping parts, not disclosing watch origin despite knowing, etc. So, some help from an educated mind like RJ is priceless when buying one.
I am not pursuing the purchase, but I am keeping my eyes open. I do not want to buy it because of “the first-ever spacewalk” association; I simply find it the best Omega Speedmaster ever made. And we all know there were quite a few of them! So, if you notice an honest piece, let me know. Sooner or later, I believe I will put an end to one of my longest but least pressing watch hunts.
