OVERVIEW

Compare the very first Omega Speedmaster Professional from 1964 to a brand new standard one sold in stores today and you’ll find very little difference in the way its overall appearance looks, which is a testament to its rich iconic history and enduring design. For some made in 1966 though, there’s a detail in the lugs that make them just a little more unique.

In the 1960s when vertical integration in the watch industry wasn’t really a thing yet, brands outsourced most of the vital parts to specialty manufacturers. Dials were made by one company, hands made by another, the bracelet made somewhere else and so on. Sometimes in order to meet supply demands brands contracted multiple manufacturers to make the same model, which resulted in minor changes to the product. Omega Speedmaster Professional cases of the time were mostly produced by a company called Huguenin Freres, but for one year another company called La Cetrale Boîtes of Bien (CB) made them as well. The most obvious distinction of these cases made by CB is the extra vertical facet on top of each lug. To the untrained eye it can be considered a very minor distinction, but to collectors this feature is as prominent as new wheels on a sports car.

What amplifies the desirability of this feature even more is that if the case is polished just once the facet can disappear, rendering the watch looking like every other plain ol’ Speedy Pro. The example we have here is as good of an example as I’ve ever seen (for any Speedmaster really) with sharp and untouched facets throughout the case and only minor wear. As far as I’m concerned, this watch has barely been worn and is near MINT. The condition of the rest of the watch is consistent as well down to the tight and never polished bracelet. It’s truly an educational benchmark to see an example like this in person and will probably ruin every other CB case Speedy I get in the future unless it looks as good as this one.

CONDITION NOTES

CASE: Unpolished, sharp, and what I would describe as “near mint”. The slightly faded original Dot Over 90 bezel is fantastic lightly worn shape. Caseback has CB stamp engraved inside.

DIAL & HANDS: Perfect original dial and lume, w/ excellent original condition and consistent with its age. Tiny paint chip near the base of the hour hand.

MOVEMENT: Pristine condition and running great. All functions are in ideal working condition.