Manufacturer: Omega Year: 1945 Reference No: CK 2077 Movement No: 9’597’723 Case No: 396 Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Manual, cal. 33.3 CHRO, 17 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Omega leather strap Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Omega pin buckle Dimensions: 38mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed Accessories: Accompanied by presentation box and an Extract from the Archives confirming the date of production of the present watch on September 28, 1945 and delivery to the French Colonies. Provenance: Phillips, Geneva, START-STOP-RESET: 88 EPIC STAINLESS STEEL CHRONOGRAPHS, May 14, 2016, lot 7.
Provenance
Phillips, Geneva, START-STOP-RESET: 88 EPIC STAINLESS STEEL CHRONOGRAPHS, May 14, 2016, lot 7.
Catalogue Essay
The Omega CK 2077 collection was first launched in 1937, and was the firm’s first water resistant chronograph.
The present example is fitted with a highly unusual, yet intriguing dial design, most notably highlighted by a completely luminous hour ring that contrasts powerfully against the glossy black dial. Whereas normally the hour markers are luminous, on this incredible piece we see the hours painted in black on top of the luminous ring.
Additionally, along the outer edge of the dial is a copper-colored tachometer scale, while the inner part of the hour ring features a silver-colored telemeter scale. The masculine proportions of this 38mm chronograph retain sharp edges throughout the case and excellent definition to the bezel and lugs. Underneath its screw down case back resides Omega’s manually wound caliber 33.3 chronograph movement. According to the Extract from the Archives, this example from 1945 was delivered to the French Colonies, and has managed to survive 70 years with hardly any signs of wear.
Preserved in excellent overall condition, the watch’s highly legible aesthetics in conjunction with the remarkable historical lineage of this incredible piece is sure to impress those who bestow their eyes upon it. It is testament of its overall quality and appeal the fact that the present timepiece was selected to be part of the highly curated and restricted "Start-Stop-Reset" Phillips thematic sale centred on outstanding chronograph timepieces.
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.
Ref. CK 2077 An extremely rare, highly attractive and large stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with glossy black dial, luminous hour marker track, tachometer and telemeter scales
1945 38mm Diameter Case, dial, movement and buckle signed