Hi This appears to be an uncommon reference ST145.003 vintage Speedmaster that was produced for a very short period following the ST105.003 and prior to the 105.012/145.012: My example dates to November 1967 - Does anyone else own an example of this reference Speedmaster ? Happy New Year ! Best - Neil
I've never actually seen a caseback off one of these, could you post some shots of it? Almost thought it was an urban legend or something
Ah! Very cool thanks for including an extract too, that's very informative especially the final remark "This watch was produced under the internal reference 105.003". So effectively just like when the transition from four digit to six digit references happened and the last of the 2998s became 105.002s, when the 105.xxx to 145.xxx transition happened and the 105.012 became a 145.012, the leftover 105.003s became 145.003s. Makes sense since there are 105.003-66 casebacks they probably had some still left over in 67 when the 145.012-67 was around.
Thus, not uncommon at all. Unfortunately in Omega archives there is mix between 105.003 and 145.003. 2 consecutive serial can be called 105 or 145, I do not know why
Not uncommon with the inner caseback stamped 145.003? Would love to see pictures of the inner casebacks stamped with this reference number. If it is stamped as a 105.003 and only has an extract that uses the 145.003 ref. then I agree it is not uncommon at all.
It would be great if someone could post a picture of such a s case back. I have not been able to find one. One thing I did find on Old-Omegas.com is a catalog using this ref number. Note that the example in the catalog is no longer the flat lug design?
Yea just noticed that from the tumblr thread, which makes it more of a marketing adjustment than a reference adjustment. Brings back the question though, are there any with 145.003 on the caseback?
I have seen only 1x a double reference inside caseback, but to answer the initial question, sevetal dozen indicated asc145.003 in the archives. Iwill post a picture of this caseback
Having trouble finding picture of 145.003 case back, did find this. The 105.002 may not be as elusive as the 145.003, but still uncommon reference...very short production run.
This was posted in a discussion on timezoneitalia in 2007 along with another watch showing warranty papers but no pic of inside caseback. The discussion is now gone from the web and google, as is timezoneitalia There was another discussion in 2009 on watchlounge where the pictures were reposted. http://www.watchlounge.com/wbb3/wl/watch-lounge/omega/60723-145-012-versus-105-003-105-012-145-003/
I also have a warranty paper of a 145.003, sold in 1969 (unfortunately, not the watch itself). In summary, ST 145.003 is nothing else than a 105.003 produced after summer 1967. - "145.003" was indicated in the catalogs - "145.003" is indicated in Omega archives, but strangely, consecutive batches can be either noted as 105.003 or 145.003 - Most of the time, ST 145.003 are engraved "105.003-65" on the caseback, with the exception illustrated above Conclusion: ST 145.003 is not rare, it was unknown because the engraving of the caseback did not change.
Interesting thread. I always thought it might be a printing error in the catalogue. BTW re the catalogue shown above, Omega used any photo hanging around to illustrate the Speedmaster models. I have seen all kinds of inconsistencies between the photos and model number. Of course no one cared about the detail then.