Actor Ryan Gosling spotted wearing a Omega

When Damien Chazelle's First Man landed in cinemas in 2018, watch enthusiasts were among its most attentive audience members. On the wrist of Ryan Gosling, portraying astronaut Neil Armstrong, sat an Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch reference ST 105.003 — not a prop replica, but a faithful representation of the precise model Armstrong and his fellow Apollo-era astronauts wore during training and spaceflight in the mid-1960s.

The ST 105.003 occupies a pivotal position in Speedmaster chronology. Introduced around 1963 and produced through approximately 1964–65, it represents the transition generation between the earliest broad-arrow-hand references and the long-running 105.012 that most collectors associate with the Moon landings themselves. Its defining technical feature is the Lemania-based Calibre 321, a column-wheel, lateral-clutch manual-winding chronograph movement widely regarded as one of the finest ebauches ever fitted to a wrist chronograph. The 321 delivers a 17-jewel architecture with 18,000 vph regulation and roughly 44 hours of power reserve. Omega controversially replaced it with the Calibre 861 in 1968 — a decision that has fueled collector debate ever since.

From a collector standpoint, the 105.003 is among the most desirable Speedmaster references on the vintage market. Its relatively short production window, the presence of the Calibre 321, and its direct connection to NASA's 1965 qualification testing make it a grail-tier piece. Distinguishing details include the asymmetric 'pump' pushers, the flat-link bracelet, and the characteristic early dial typography. Condition and originality of the dial and bezel insert are paramount to value.

Gosling's casting required the production team to get the details right, and they did. Armstrong is documented wearing the 105.003 era Speedmaster throughout his Gemini and early Apollo assignments, and the film's costume and prop departments sourced period-accurate references accordingly. The on-screen visibility of the watch adds an unexpected layer of authenticity to an already meticulously researched production.

On the current grey market, genuine examples of the Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch ST 105.003 in honest, original condition command prices in the $8,000–$12,000 range depending on completeness and dial integrity. The Calibre 321 alone justifies the premium over later references.