Few chronographs have achieved the historical significance of the Omega Speedmaster, a watch whose origins in motorsport would ultimately lead to one of the most extraordinary chapters in the history of horology. Introduced in 1957, the Speedmaster was conceived as a precision timing instrument, distinguished by its highly legible dial and external tachymeter bezel. Its reputation would be transformed during the 1960s, when NASA began evaluating commercially available chronographs for use during manned spaceflight. Following an exceptionally demanding series of tests, the Speedmaster ref. 105.003 was officially qualified for NASA missions on 1 March 1965. Just three months later, on 3 June, astronaut Edward H. White II wore a Speedmaster ref. 105.003 during the Gemini IV mission, becoming the first American to walk in space. The reference has consequently become known among collectors as the 'Ed White', representing one of the most important links between Omega's original racing chronograph and the watches that would eventually accompany astronauts to the lunar surface.

This particular ref. 105.003 offers an unusual variation on that celebrated design, featuring a Decimal bezel in place of the conventional tachymeter scale. Rather than calculating average speed over a measured distance, the Decimal scale divides a minute into 100 units, allowing elapsed time to be expressed in decimal form. Such scales were useful in scientific, industrial and technical applications, where calculations could be simplified by working in hundredths of a minute. The watch retains the characteristic symmetrical stainless steel case with straight lugs, a black dial with applied Omega logo and the legendary manually wound calibre 321 column-wheel chronograph movement. Of particular interest is the accompanying Omega Extract from the Archives, which confirms that the watch was produced on 24 January 1967 and delivered to the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes (NAAFI), the organisation responsible for providing retail and welfare services to British military personnel.

The Speedmaster ref. 105.003 occupies a pivotal position in Omega's history, but the unusual Decimal bezel gives this example an additional dimension of collector interest. Combined with its documented 1967 delivery to NAAFI, it offers a distinctive interpretation of the celebrated Ed White reference.