Omega Speedmaster Professional 105.012-66 CB

Omega Ref. 105.012-66CB Speedmaster Professional An attractive stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with tachymeter scale and bracelet

An attractive stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with tachymeter scale and bracelet. Released in 1964, the Speedmaster ref. 105.012 was the first to bear the ‘Professional’ name on the dial. It is the exact reference that astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin wore in the Apollo 11 mission in 1969. The ref. 105.012 is the successor of the ref. 105.003. There are different versions of the ref 105.012, and the present watch with the marking CB suggests it is a rare version with an asymmetrical caseband manufactured by La Centrale Boîtes, while most cases were made by Huguenin Frères. It is recognizable from its lyre shaped lugs with a wide oblique surface and curved sides, and the CB case has a flat upper surface bordered by a small ledge. CB only manufactured the ref. 105.012-66CB in particular so this watch is a well sought after watch. The present watch has a dial with a step between the flat central zone and beveled flange, with slightly yellowish patina on the long tritium markers through the minute scale. It ages beautifully together with the chronograph hand, showing a light orange patina. The stainless steel case houses the legendary calibre 321. Only an estimated number of 80,000 to 85,000 watches made were fitted with the movement. The watch has a nice single bevel caseback, with the hippocampus still clearly visible. The moonwatch is paired with the original 1506/16 stainless steel bracelet, marked with the date indication 3/66. This batch of bracelet has a projecting Omega logo for easy opening of the clasp, which the design was replace with a flat logo in later bracelet models. This well-preserved moonwatch with matching components and original bracelet is surely a rare find and lovable item by the Omega community.