Omega - The Geneva Watch Auction: SEVEN Geneva Saturday, May 12, 2018 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Omega
    Year: 1968
    Reference No: 145.012-67 SP
    Movement No: 26’077’572
    Model Name: Omega Speedmaster Professional “Racing Dial”
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 321, 17 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather and stainless steel Omega bracelet, end links stamped 47, max length 190mm
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Omega deployant clasp stamped 4.81
    Dimensions: 40mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed, case back further engraved Bennett A Hall Narrows IS Guilford CT
    Accessories: Accompanied by original guarantee, Omega Extract of the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1968, and delivered to their Zürich agent M. Galli & Sohn.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Omega’s Speedmaster line is legendary amongst collectors, and today it is one of the most sought after vintage chronograph wristwatches on the market. Introduced in 1957, the model has gone under various design and technical changes through the years, but it has always retained its DNA for precision timekeeping. Even the United States space program (NASA) outfitted their early astronauts with the Speedmaster. The reference 145.012-67 SP was the last one to feature the famed caliber 321, and was used by astronauts on both the Apollo 11 and 14 space missions. Similar to earlier models (reference 105.012), the case featured the now recognizable asymmetrical case with “lyra” style lugs, but the new reference sought to improve upon its water resistance capability by using new chronograph pushers, which were screwed in to the band, and denoted on the case SP or “Spécial Poussoirs”.

    The present watch is fresh to the market, consigned by the original owner who purchased the watch following a summer of trekking through Europe. The original International Guarantee shows the date of sale being August 7, 1969 from the retailer M. Galli & Sohn in Zürich. What attracted him to the timepiece was the more unusual dial style, now referred to as a “racing” dial.

    The early, “exotic” black matte dial also known as "racing dial" is highlighted with red hour marker accents, and red hour, minute and subsidiary seconds hands. They are believed to have been prototypes - only added to watches in exceptional cases.

    This Omega Speedmaster meets the demands of the most discriminating collector, coming from the original owner and in excellent condition, along with an extremely rare exotic dial variant that makes it a true horological gem.

  • Artist Biography

    Omega

    Swiss • 1848

    Omega's rich history begins with its founder, Louis Brandt, who established the firm in 1848 in La Chaux de Fonds. In 1903, the company changed its name to Omega, becoming the only watch brand in history to have been named after one its own movements. A full-fledged manufacturer of highly accurate, affordable and reliable watches, its sterling reputation enabled them to be chosen as the first watch company to time the Olympic Games beginning in 1932. Its continued focus on precision and reliability ultimately led their Speedmaster chronograph wristwatch to be chosen by NASA in 1965 — the first watch worn on the moon.

    Key models sought-after by collectors include their first, oversized water-resistant chronograph — the reference 2077, early Speedmaster models such as the CK 2915 and 2998, military-issued versions of the Seamaster and oversized chronometer models such as those fitted with their prestigious caliber 30T2Rg.

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Ref. 145.012-67 SP
An attractive and rare stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with black “racing” dial, tachymeter, bracelet and International Guarantee, signed by retailer M. Galli & Sohn, Zürich

1968
40mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed, case back further engraved Bennett A Hall Narrows IS Guilford CT

Estimate
CHF12,000 - 18,000 
€10,300-15,400
$12,700-19,100

Sold for CHF40,000

Contact Specialist
Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Sale
+41 22 317 81 81
aghotbi@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: SEVEN

Geneva Auction 12-13 May 2018