Still, I hadn’t decided on what Best Omega Speedmaster 105.003 Ed White Replica Watch I wanted and I presumed it would be a lyre-lugged piece like the 105.012 or the 145.012 (which I later ended up buying). Then, I started reading about earlier models with straight lugs and stumbled upon the still-affordable Speedmaster 105.003 Ed White and I was hooked.A few years back, I decided it was time to get serious about tracking down a “premoon” Speedmaster. At that time, vintage Speedmasters were nowhere near as expensive as today, but they were still not easy to find and, much like today, were often filled with replacement or incorrect parts.
The nickname of the watch, as is often recounted, was given because the astronaut of the same name wore a 105.003 on the first ever spacewalk.) In actuality, the two were offered side by side for a period (I’ve placed mine next to a 145.012 above), but the addition of the word “Professional” on the newly introduced and larger twisted cases likely stymied any further success of the Ed.Produced from 1963-65, although deliveries seem to exist up to as late as 1969, the Omega Speedmaster 105.003 Ed White Replica was the last of the straight lug cases before the arrival of the twisted lug 105.012. (A nice write-up exists here. You can read more about the history here on one of Robert-Jan’s earlier Speedy Tuesday articles.
Still, I kept the watch and wore it semi-regularly.I turned my attention to finding a Speedmaster 105.003 Ed White because of the simplicity of its case and also for the fact that it more closely resembles the original 1950’s Omega Speedmaster Replica intended for drivers. So, I ultimately found an example out of the UK and while I was happy with its dial, hands, and bezel, I was unimpressed with a heavily polished upper left lug. However, I thought, why not keep an eye out for a case that could be fitted to this otherwise lovely example.