First released in 1957, Omega’s reference 2915 featured the foundations for all future Speedmaster timepieces, it was the first tool watch to feature a tachymeter scale on the bezel instead of to the dial, which had been the norm for chronograph wristwatches starting the 1930s. This innovative design would actually lead to a shift of chronograph design with a majority of brands subsequently adopting scales on the bezel.

Reference 2998, released in 1959 was the immediate successor to the ref 2915. Early examples like the present watch used the famed Lemania caliber 321, which is revered amongst watch enthusiasts for its robust chronograph mechanism. The manual wound caliber was used by Omega from 1946-1968, and while small in size at 27mm diameter, it offered optimal performance and reliability.

Reference 2998 was in production for only 4 years (1959-1963) but during that time 8 case variations were made (-1, -2, -3, -4, -5, -6, -61, -62), indicating how intensively Omega was updating their designs. The present -1 example is one of the earliest made: the -1 variation is found with serial numbers between 17’301’xxx and 17-761’xxx.

The present example features many elements collectors covet, an overall very attractive condition, luminous indexes that have turned a warm espresso color, a lollipop chronograph seconds hand and a super rare pulsometer scale bezel (as opposed to the more traditional tachymeter scale).