Omega Speedmaster Professional Ref. 105.012
In the galaxy of horology, the Omega Speedmaster Professional is nothing short of a superstar, well it is the superstar! For many watch minded people, it’s not just a watch; it’s a piece of history that journeyed to the moon and back.
By Gijs Blaas on August 1st, 2024
Every watch enthusiast has heard of the Omega Speedmaster, but getting further into the intricacies opens a whole new dimension about this specific model. So, let’s dive into the tale of this iconic timepiece, uncover its stellar features, and see why it’s a beloved treasure among collectors and enthusiasts alike.
Space Odyssey: The Omega Speedmaster’s Journey
The 1960s were a thrilling time for space exploration, and NASA needed a watch that could withstand the extreme conditions of space travel. After rigorous testing involving intense temperatures, shocks, and vibrations, the Speedmaster emerged as the hero. By 1965, it was officially certified by NASA for all manned space missions.
But before the Speedmaster could claim its spot on the moon, it had to beat out some tough competition. Brands like Rolex, with its Cosmograph Daytona, and Longines, with its Wittnauer, were also fighting for NASA’s approval. NASA didn’t just hand out certifications like candy. The Speedmaster had to endure a series of gruelling tests that would make most watches buckle under pressure. Here’s a taste of what the Speedmaster went through:
- High Temperature: The watches were exposed to 160 °F (71 °C) for 48 hours, then blasted with 200 °F (93 °C) heat for 30 minutes.
- Cold Test: The watches had to remain functional after being chilled to 0 °F (−18 °C) for four hours.
- Temperature Cycling: This involved heating the watches to 160 °F (71 °C) for 45 minutes and then cooling them to 0 °F (−18 °C) for 45 minutes, repeated 15 times.
- Humidity: Subjected to 250 hours in temperatures ranging from 68 °F (20 °C) to 160 °F (71 °C) with a relative humidity of 95%.
- Shock: The Speedmaster had to withstand six 11 ms 40 g shocks from different directions.
- Vibration: It endured three cycles of 30-minute vibrations between 5 and 2000 Hz.
- Acoustic Noise: The watch was exposed to 130 dB from 40 to 10,000 Hz for 30 minutes.
These tests were designed to push the Speedmaster to its limits, ensuring it could handle the harshest conditions of space travel. The fact that it passed all these tests with flying colours is a minimum that you would want to accompany you in the unpredictable surroundings of space.
Fast forward to 1969, the historic Apollo 11 mission. Buzz Aldrin had the Omega Speedmaster 105.012-66 on his wrist when Neil Armstrong made that giant leap for mankind and left his Speedmaster in the lunar module as a backup timer, but Aldrin’s watch proudly ticked away on the moon. Talk about a stellar performance!
The “Professional” Inscription: More Than Just a Label
One of the standout features of the famed ref.105.012-66 is the “Professional” inscription on its dial. This wasn’t just a fancy marketing trick but a sign of proof to the watch’s ruggedness and reliability. Contrary to some myths, the “Professional” label didn’t pop up because of NASA’s certification. Nope, it was introduced in early 1964, right when Omega revamped the case design to protect the pushers and crown from snagging.
Here’s a fun fact: When the Reference 105.003 transitioned to the first ‘Professional Moonwatch-Reference 105.012’ Omega used some spare old dials of the 105.003 reference and simply printed ‘Professional’ on the dial, these are very rare and only seen for the first series of the watch. Talk about some real Swiss-cost saving efficiency.
Our 105.012-66: The Green Patinaed Tool?
Let’s dive into our timepiece and inspiration for this blog post—the Omega Speedmaster 105.012-66 from 1967. This beauty sports a green hue patina on its dial, a moisture-fueled ageing process that gives it a unique character. Also, when talking about a later printed ‘Professional dial’, this is such a dial which is very visible to the keen eye because of the moisture that aged the dial. This Speedmaster certainly has that vintage look and feel.
Inside the 105.012-66
Under the hood of the 105.012-66 lies the famous Omega Caliber 321, a manual winding chronograph movement renowned for its reliability. The black dial, adorned with the “Professional” inscription, features both close T (rare) and spaced T variations. The tachymeter bezel, an essential tool for speed calculations, harks back to the Speedmaster’s racing roots. The hesalite crystal protects the dial while maintaining that vintage charm. And those baton-drop-style hands? They’re the perfect vintage touch that ties the whole look together. We would argue that there isn’t a watch in the world that has nearly as much historical significance as the Omega Speedmaster.
Read more about our love for Omega Speedmasters in this blog post.