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Omega Speedmaster 105.012-66, HF and CB sharing thread!

hansaboy
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Greetings!

This time I was thinking of doing a post/thread where we can share and compare this lovely reference.
The 105.012-66 had two case manufacturers,
Huguenin Freres (HF) and Centrale Boites (CB).
Most of us Speedy Guys know that the CB case has a facet line on top of the lugs,
and different profile compared with the HF,
but you might not know that the backside of the lugs (the footprint) are different?
The CB is on a strap, and the HF is on the bracelet.


Enjoy the pictures, share your 105.012:s with the Forum and have a lovely weekend!

Cheers!


IMG_6371.JPG IMG_6373.JPG IMG_6372.JPG
View attachment 1745080
IMG_6377.JPG IMG_6379.JPG IMG_6380.JPG IMG_6381.JPG IMG_6383.JPG
 
IMG_6383.JPG
Davidt
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Absolutely Hans. Along with the slimmer side profile, the ‘footprint’ as you call it are the best ways to tell a polished CB from a -66 HF.
I really want another CB but too many new watches over the last 6 months and a new business have decimated my watch fund.

My ‘old’ CB with its fabulous grey bezel.
1F8E626D-4230-4A0F-B362-A5B51EBA0B9E.jpeg 8E316A85-976E-46E8-A0D5-51F952A0D437.jpeg
 
hansaboy
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Davidt Davidt
Absolutely Hans. Along with the slimmer side profile, the ‘footprint’ as you call it are the best ways to tell a polished CB from a -66 HF.
I really want another CB but too many new watches over the last 6 months and a new business have decimated my watch fund.

My ‘old’ CB with its fabulous grey bezel.
1F8E626D-4230-4A0F-B362-A5B51EBA0B9E.jpeg 8E316A85-976E-46E8-A0D5-51F952A0D437.jpeg
Amazing CB David!

I wonder if there are more CB:s than HF:s??
They do come up from time to time!

And I understand your "pain" with to many new watches...
👍
 
Davidt
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Although they’re in demand, I certainly don’t think they’re rare and my gut feeling is there are many more CB’s than -66 HF’s. Of course the other factor is HF made Pro cases for multiple other years so overall there are many more HF pro cases than CB
 
pitbos
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Thank you for taking the time to post the comparative photos - both are beautiful specimens!

The bezel on that CB - beauty!
 
befobe
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Another CB here, 1967, with 1039/516:
20211016_182424.jpg


Facets are great but the case had a tough life especially on one side...
20210624_202419.jpg
Edited:
 
hansaboy
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Davidt Davidt
Although they’re in demand, I certainly don’t think they’re rare and my gut feeling is there are many more CB’s than -66 HF’s. Of course the other factor is HF made Pro cases for multiple other years so overall there are many more HF pro cases than CB
I wonder if there are some stats regarding how many 66:s Omega made??
 
ortope
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IMG_7728.jpg

Here is my pair.
This is what I found:
"With serial numbers ranging from 24.533. xxx to 25.448. xx between 1967 and 1968, it is estimated that two thirds of the 105.012-66 cases were manufactured by La Centrale Boîtes, displaying a flatter design and smaller step to the surface of the lugs."

Cheers
Edited:
 
MSNWatch
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CB:

4098543558_55240d7682_b.jpg
 
hansaboy
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ortope ortope
IMG_7728.jpg

Here is my pair.
This is what I found:
"With serial numbers ranging from 24.533. xxx to 25.448. xx between 1967 and 1968, it is estimated that two thirds of the 105.012-66 cases were manufactured by La Centrale Boîtes, displaying a flatter design and smaller step to the surface of the lugs."

Cheers
Thanks mate!

And beautiful 66:s!
👍
 
WurstEver
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Great thread! Some stunning speedies here. I bought this CB as a 50th birthday present to myself recently and will be wearing it on vacation to the Omega museum in a few weeks. When I was considering which cal 321 reference to add to the collection this is the one it had to be, since it's the reference worn by Jack Schmitt - the only scientist moonwalker of the Apollo program (geologist, Apollo 17). I've worked in research my whole career too, so I feel a bit of a connection.

PXL_20230727_050755198~2_1.jpg


And below are a couple of images from the Smithsonian of Schmitt's CB...

1000012127.jpg 1000012128.jpg
 
hansaboy
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WurstEver WurstEver
Great thread! Some stunning speedies here. I bought this CB as a 50th birthday present to myself recently and will be wearing it on vacation to the Omega museum in a few weeks. When I was considering which cal 321 reference to add to the collection this is the one it had to be, since it's the reference worn by Jack Schmitt - the only scientist moonwalker of the Apollo program (geologist, Apollo 17). I've worked in research my whole career too, so I feel a bit of a connection.

PXL_20230727_050755198~2_1.jpg


And below are a couple of images from the Smithsonian of Schmitt's CB...

1000012127.jpg 1000012128.jpg
Lovely watch, and enjoy the museum!
 
ortope
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What would be worth noting that the case backs of the two versions are quite different too.

Cheers
 
hansaboy
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Finally it's Friday!
And time to "bump" this thread...

Found som nice info in The Bible!

IMG_6390 2.JPG IMG_6391 2.JPG
 
SOG53
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WurstEver WurstEver
Great thread! Some stunning speedies here. I bought this CB as a 50th birthday present to myself recently and will be wearing it on vacation to the Omega museum in a few weeks. When I was considering which cal 321 reference to add to the collection this is the one it had to be, since it's the reference worn by Jack Schmitt - the only scientist moonwalker of the Apollo program (geologist, Apollo 17). I've worked in research my whole career too, so I feel a bit of a connection.

PXL_20230727_050755198~2_1.jpg


And below are a couple of images from the Smithsonian of Schmitt's CB...

1000012127.jpg 1000012128.jpg
Here is my post from my visit to Biel to the Omega Museum Hope you enjoy as much as I did.

https://omegaforums.net/threads/visited-omega-museum-today-wow.149685/
 
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