Omega - A rare steel Speedmaster Pre Moon wristwatch,

Omega - A rare steel 'Speedmaster Pre Moon' wristwatch, circa 1967, model 105.003 - 65, 'Ed White', the signed black dial, 35mm diameter, with luminous baton markers, hands and centre chronograph sweep, three subsidiary dials for running seconds, minutes and hours and outer tachymetre (with accent) bezel with 'dot over 90', signed 17 jewel mechanical crown wind chronograph movement number 24531552, calibre 321, with start/stop and reset pushers above and below the liveried crown, case, 41mm diameter, verso screw down and engraved with hippocampus logo, interior stamped 'ST 105 003-65', to a stainless steel signed steelinox bracelet No. 13, numbered 1506 1.66, with liveried fold over clasp, presented in the original red and gold tooled case, with cream coloured outer card box, guarantee booklet and card dated 15/7/69, and the original warranty certificate from retailer H.L.Brown, of the same date In June 1965, Gemini IV became the second crewed spaceflight to lift off as part of NASA's Project Gemini. Astronauts James McDivitt and Ed White circled the Earth 66 times in four days, making it the first US flight to approach the five-day flight of the Soviet Vostok 5. The highlight of the mission was the first space walk by an American, during which White floated free outside the spacecraft, whilst tethered to it, for approximately 20 minutes. Both of these accomplishments helped the United States overcome the Soviet Union's early lead in the space race.On this mission, White wore an Omega Speedmaster ref 105.003 strapped to the outside of the left-side sleeve of his G4C space suit. In order to accommodate the space suit, the watch was attached via a long nylon strap secured with velcro. When worn on the wrist, the strap could be wound around several times to shorten its length. This was the first time an Omega Speedmaster had been exposed to the vacuum of space. This model was later given the nickname the 'Ed White' in recognition of his historic space walk (officially described as an EVA or extra vehicular activity) on June 3.The 105.003 was produced for just a short period of time (1963-1969) with the majority made in 1965, before the 145.012 model was introduced and chosen by NASA to accompany the Apollo 11 mission to put the first man on the moon. The 105.003 and prior models are informally known as 'Pre Moon' Speedmasters, since their manufacture predates the moon landings.The Speedmaster remains one of several watches qualified by NASA for spaceflight and is still the only one so qualified for EVA. Crystal - Complete. Surface scratches all over, some quite deep. Possibly the original crystal.Dial - Appears to be generally in good order. Some minor deterioration to the luminosity on the batons and hands.Movement - Winds satisfactorily. Movement operational but has not been tested for timekeeping or endurance. Crown engages and disengages as it should, and the hands move freely in both directions. Start/stop button works satisfactorily. Reset button operational but rather stiff. Chronograph seconds and minute hands flyback to zero, but the hour hand does not return.Case & Bracelet - Surface scratches all over. Verso unscrews and screws satisfactorily. Bezel worn and dirty, scratched and pitted with some minor chips and one more obvious chip at 2 o'clock. Bracelet rather stretched and missing the springs from the elasticated section by the clasp. Clasp operational.