Omega Speedmaster (105.012-66)

A closer look at the Speedmaster

Reference 105.012-66 — the Omega Speedmaster — listed pre-owned at $8,995. On paper: stainless steel, 42mm across, a leather strap fitted, chronograph on the dial and a manual movement.

On the wrist

It comes on a green leather strap — the easiest thing on the watch to change. The 42mm diameter matters here: it is present on the wrist without making a statement about it. The obvious buyer for it is anyone who times things and would rather do it on the wrist than on a phone.

Running the Speedmaster

The movement in ref. 105.012-66 is manual — hand-winding gives you a reason to pick it up each day. You also get a stopwatch that runs without disturbing the time.

Case, dial and crystal

Ref. 105.012-66 comes in stainless steel, at a 42mm diameter — steel is unfussy: wear it, wash it, wear it again. Hesalite covers the dial, and hesalite polishes clean rather than staying scratched. Bezel: tachymeter — time a known distance and read the speed on the edge. The caseback is solid metal rather than glass.

The Speedmaster in context

Omega 42mm Speedmaster, Black Dial, Leather Strap Ref. 105.012-66

Widely known as the Moonwatch, this Omega Speedmaster is one of the more sought after as it was the model worn throughout the Apollo program. Several features set it apart from later Speedmaster releases, but it is the movement that captures the imagination of Speedmaster aficionados. The caliber 321 with its favored column wheel has recently been serviced, assuring the new owner of years of worry free wear. As part of the normal service, the hesalite crystal and the crown were replaced. In addition to the service and movement, the other highlight of the watch is the very nice condition Dot Over Ninety (DON) bezel and black step dial. Originally with tritium lume, the lume on many of the indices has worn away. This vintage Speedmaster is an appealing watch that still holds its connection between the climatic years of the Moon landing and the present every expanding Speedmaster fan base.

The Speedmaster, as it stands

Pre-owned, which means the Speedmaster has been worn: what the photographs show is the condition you receive. Ref. 105.012-66: it is the watch alone: no box, no papers. A one-year warranty is recorded against it, on top of the two-year WatchDealHub cover that comes with everything here. It is held under SKU 210000005358 in our stock, which is the fastest way to identify it to us. At $8,995 it ships free and fully insured, with fourteen days to return it.

• Warranty: 1-Year Watchworks
• SKU: 210000005358
• Box and papers: No Box, No Papers
• Reference: 105.012-66
• Price: $8,995

Shipping is free and fully insured, with fourteen days to change your mind. More from Omega, or the whole catalog.