Lot 9

Gemini IV Following NASA’s Mercury program, which placed the first Americans into space and then orbit, was the Gemini program. The name came from the Latin for “twins” or “double” because it was designed to have two crew members on all missions. The Gemini program advanced NASA’s capabilities, including demonstrating the endurance of humans and equipment for in space for more extended periods of time compared to the Mercury missions and engaging in docking with another vehicle and then maneuvering the combined spacecraft. These tasks and more all helped pave the way for the Apollo program to follow Gemini.Gemini IV was an extremely historic and memorable mission that launched on June 3, 1965 and lasted four days. it was the mission that successfully allowed for the first American to emerge outside of the spacecraft in space – what came to be called a “spacewalk” and was more technically known as “Extravehicular Activity” (EVA). Commander James A. McDivitt and pilot Edward H. White II were the crew for this extraordinary mission.Astronaut Edward White was wearing an OMEGA Speedmaster reference 105.003 over the large sleeve of his spacesuit during his majestic EVA, which lasted approximately 20 minutes. During that time, the Speedmaster was exposed to the extreme conditions of space. A defect in the capsule’s hatch latching mechanism caused problems opening and closing the hatch, which delayed the start of the EVA and put White and his crewmate at risk of not getting back to Earth alive. Ultimately however, the mission was a success and remarkably it was verified that the Speedmaster kept accurate time even in outer space.Prior to the Gemini IV, on March 1, 1965, NASA officially qualified OMEGA for all manned space missions. Coincidentally, OMEGA had already been working on a modified, improved version of the Speedmaster with a slightly larger case that incorporated crown and pusher guards. This was called the Speedmaster Professional. The mission badge for Gemini IV commemorates a historic moment in history. It depicts an eagle perched on the Gemini spacecraft, reflecting the mission’s planned extravehicular activity.This mission captured the imagination of the public due to the high-quality photographs of White floating in space that occupied the cover and 16 pages of the June 18, 1965 issue of LIFE Magazine, with the Speedmaster shown clearly on his wrist.

Omega. A Very Fine and Rare Stainless Steel Chronograph Wristwatch with Tropical Dial

Signed Omega, Speedmaster, Movement No. 20'527'035, Case Ref. S105.003-64, Manufactured in 1965

Details

Omega. A Very Fine and Rare Stainless Steel Chronograph Wristwatch with Tropical Dial

Signed Omega, Speedmaster, Movement No. 20'527'035, Case Ref. S105.003-64, Manufactured in 1965
Cal. 321 mechanical movement, 17 jewels, metal dust cap, chocolate tropical dial, applied OMEGA symbol, luminous baton numerals, outer fifths of a second divisions, luminous baton hands, three sunken engine-turned subsidiary dials for constant seconds, 30 minutes and 12 hours registers, crystal etched with OMEGA symbol, tonneau-shaped water-resistant-type case, black bezel with tachymeter scale calibrated to a maximum of 500 units, straight lugs, screw back with engraved seahorse logo, SPEEDMASTER and O inscription, OMEGA crown, two round chronograph buttons in the band, case, dial and movement signed

38mm diam.

Provenance

Various Properties

Lot Essay

Accompanied by an OMEGA Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1965 to Brazil.

The reference 105.003 was produced between 1964 and 1969, and it was this reference that superseded all other brands by passing NASA’s rigorous qualification tests in 1965 that resulted in the OMEGA Speedmaster becoming the official watch used on space missions. This reference is also the last of the Speedmasters with straight lugs, also known as the 'Pre-Professional'. In addition, it is sometimes referred to as the ‘Ed White’ after the first American astronaut to walk in space outside of the space module during the Gemini IV mission of 1965.

The present watch stands out due to its stunning chocolate "tropical" dial. Only achieved by the aging process, this dial offers charisma and charm with its rich color.

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