Vintage Omega Speedmaster Professional 105.012-66 CB Case Unpolished & Serviced - SOLD
The 105.012 is the same reference worn by the astronauts on the Apollo 11 mission, cementing the Speedmaster's legacy by becoming the first watch worn on the moon. With this significance, this watch has emerged as a very important Speedmaster reference and continues to be one of the most sought after vintage watches on the planet.
The 105.012 had cases produced by two companies, Huguenin Freres, who also made the cases for the previous (and subsequent) references, and Centrale Boites, who solely produced the 105.012-66CB, stamped with a maker's mark inside the caseback. What makes the CB special is a difference in manufacturing led to the creation of facet edges on the twisted lugs where they curve inward. The facets have become coveted by collectors as CB produced these Speedmaster cases for only one year and in low numbers, and clean examples of watches that have not had them polished away continue to dry up.
This 105.012-66CB retains all of its original key components, with its signature stepped dial with wide-spaced "T"s, DON bezel, flat-foot crown and short press-in "mushroom" pushers with original wide pusher tubes. Most importantly, the CB case is in excellent unpolished condition, with all original lines present and crisp including the signature CB case facets. The movement, a 25.44 million serial number, was just serviced and is in excellent working order.
Take a look at the photos and our condition description below:
Case: 42mm stainless steel case in excellent condition. The case is clearly unpolished, with very sharp edges everywhere. The original factory brushing is still present on the case sides, and the signature CB facet edges are present and crisp as pictured. Pushers are original "mushroom" type with wide tubes confirming originality. Crown is original flat foot. The case has minor nicks and scratches commensurate with wear as shown.
Bezel: Original dot over 90 (DON) bezel in excellent condition with only very minor surface wear as pictured.
Dial/Hands: Dial is original stepped tritium with applied logo and wide spaced "T"s in excellent condition. Lume shows a little bit of shrinking, common with this reference, but is majorly intact and with a pleasing creamy patina. Hands are also original, the chronograph seconds hand has a correct wide head and tritium on the hands matches the dial. There is some lume loss in the second hand and small spot in the hour hand as pictured.
Caseback: Original 105.012-66 CB caseback in excellent condition as pictured with deep crisp engravings.
Crystal: OEM Omega hesalite crystal with only minor surface scratching and swirls.
Movement: Caliber 321 manual wound chronograph movement. Watch is running great with smooth winding and chrono operation. All functions work as they should including chronograph start, stop, and return to zero. 25.44 million serial number. Dust cover is present. Movement was just serviced in June 2019 and is running without issue.
Bracelet/Strap: Like new brown leather vintage style strap.
Accessories: The Extract of the Archives from Omega is included with the watch.