OMEGA Ref. 105.003-63 “Thule Base Exchange”
The Speedmaster reference 105.003 represents a major milestone in Omega’s distinguished history. In autumn 1964, two examples of reference 105.003-63 were sent to NASA (National Aeronautic Space Administration) to undergo a series of tests to determine whether or not they were suitable for use in space missions. These Speedmasters successfully met all requirements, and NASA chose them as the ofcial watch for the astronauts of the Gemini programs to wear in space. The present watch had a diferent, yet highly interesting fate. It was delivered in January 1965 to the Thule Air Base in Greenland, the northernmost base of the U.S. Air Force.
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Discovered in the USA a few years ago, the watch was part of the renowned “Moonwatch Only” collection until today. Preserved in excellent, all original condition, it’s ftted with a rare transitional dial, known as the “asymmetric T”. Beginning in April 1964, Swiss law mandated manufacturers to indicate the presence of radioactive luminous material on dials. Soon aferwards, OMEGA painted capital ‘T’ letters – the designation for radioactive tritium - on either side of the SWISS MADE on existing dials in order to comply with the law. Applied by hand afer the dial was originally printed, each ‘T’ is positioned asymmetrically. This watch is ofered today with an absolutely complete set of accessories present when it was originally sold; the red Sea Horse box, the Omega hang tag, the Thule Base Exchange hangtag with the original price indicated, the Omega guarantee and the original product literature. Adding to its desirability, the present watch is prominently illustrated in the “Moonwatch Only-The Ultimate Omega Speedmaster Guide” as well as “The Ultimate Speedmaster Exhibition” book. A limited, signed edition of the Moonwatch Only book is ofered with this watch.
29/09/16 09:06