I was driving home the other night, late, and knew I was going to get slammed by the Mrs., so I thought I'd take a quick gander at my FOIS, but in the darkness, the main hands were all but impossible to read.

So this got me thinking: the Speedmaster design changes were likely for functional improvements, as clearly the white baton hands are way more legible that the earlier steel iterations. Down the road, the flat lugs were changed to the twisted variety, ostensibly for protection.

But when do you think the watch achieved its ultimate design? Of course, many times functional changes actually bring about something that is deemed less aesthetically attractive, i.e., if you like the broad arrow or alpha hands, in spite of the fact that the are harder to read than the white batons.

For me, the 105.003 was the zenith: the white hands I feel actually blend better than the earlier versions with the dial; the flat lugs are more understated and visually appealing than the twisted variety; and, if you're a purist, you could argue that the 105.002 is even more sublime, but I like the fact that with the later, T Swiss T dial, should you get drunk and fall asleep with your watch against your eyeball, you won't later develop a cataract!

 

For me, the 2998.
Early is best but i prefer the 2998 hands to 2915 hands.
The Ed White is actually my least favourite.
We are all different

 

I was going to say this is an easy one, but the truth is the 2998 is a very nice design. Still, I'll cast my vote for the first Speedmaster... 2915-1. I guess I should have included an explanation. These two were easy choices because

1. They each have the bright tension ring, which really does add a certain something to their aesthetic appeal.
2. The 2998 dials tend to age the most beautifully, in my opinion and experience.
3. The 2998 has the attractive dauphine hands (lollipop on the early ones, too)
4. They each have the straight lug case, which I find most appealing.
5. But the 2915-1 has the distinction of the stainless bezel.
6. And it has the striking broad arrow hands, which like the stainless bezel are unique to the 2915.
7. Oh, and the 2915-1 was FIRST.

 

I'd agree the 105.003 is probably the first truly functional model, but the 105.012 and its crown guards just moved it further into the realm. Professional indeed

 

I'm in the 105.002 camp.. best of both worlds if you have one of each (alpha and baton)!

For twisted lugs, I'd have to go with the -68 transitional though.. all the pretty of the earlier references, with an easy to care for movement (at least as far as parts availability go).

 

For me, the Ed White 105.003 too.

The reasons:
- Straight lugs (since I won't wear it to space anytime soon, won't need pusher/crown to be protected)
- Baton white hands
- Flat link bracelet
- 39mm instead of 42mm (for my skinny wrist)
- The most affordable (when I bought it) among other straight lugs smaller case Speedy

 

145.022-74
Plastic Delrin brake....... enough said

 

Speedy Tuesday LE

3 dials of Lume at night........ Reverse Panda during the day...

 

As others have already mentioned, for me it's the 2998. The dauphine hands really make the model stand out compared to all other references, and the straight lugs just add to the tool watch feel of it for me. It was also the first vintage Speedmaster I saw in person, so have a soft spot for it.

 

No one has mentioned 105.012 CB yet, so I do. Beauty and function paired together in a very appealing way!

 

An interesting fact about the 105.012-66 CB reference is that it was (and remains) the last watch worn on the moon.
https://airandspace.si.edu/collection-objects/chronograph-cernan-apollo-17

 

What he is saying is,this...

 

I find broad arrow 2915 most visually attractive closely followed by the early alpha hand dome dial references with 2915-3 with its longer hour hand first.
Oh, and I don't care much about function.
But I guess when new the broad arrow hands must at least have been quite easy to read in the dark given their large radium areas.

 

1989 20th with 1450. Alex of dial with long "r" -and 1450 bracelet. Nice presentation box set and papers.

 

"Down the road, the flat lugs were changed to the twisted variety, ostensibly for protection."

Never heard this before. How does the styling change improve protection?

 

I think the twisted lug design helped them integrate the crown / pusher guards into the case better, so the watch still looks symmetrical

 

Agree, it was the crown / pusher guards that added protection. Mr. Ragan describes it as a way to have the pushers not stick out as much, so less likely to snag on things (at the Speedmaster 50 auction, so I don't have a reference to cite).

 

105.002. That reference came with both alpha and baton hands. From an aesthetics perspective the alpha hands are peerless. From a pragmatic perspective the baton hands get the nod.

 

I vote for the 105.012-66 CB as well