Omega - The Geneva Watch Auction: XIII Geneva Saturday, May 8, 2021 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Omega
    Year: 1967
    Reference No: ST 165.024
    Movement No: 24'719'912
    Case No: W10/6645 – 99 – 923 – 7697 – A/030/67
    Model Name: Seamaster 300 “Military”
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 552, 24 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: NATO
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel pin buckle
    Dimensions: 40mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed, case back further engraved "W10/6645-99 – 923 – 7697- A/030/67”
    Accessories: Accompanied by Omega Extract from the Archives confirming its date of production on April 3, 1967 and delivery to the British Army, additional pouch.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Officially introduced to the public in 1957, the Seamaster 300 was part of Omega’s “Professional” line of watches. Whilst the vast majority was produced for professional and recreational divers alike, a very small batch was made for military use from 1967 until approximately 1970. These special military Seamaster 300 featured several tweaks separating them from their regular counterparts. Their cases, with distinctive curved and beveled lugs, were delivered with fixed spring bars. Dials featured an encircled “T” designation, signifying the use of tritium for the luminous hour markers and hands. The broad, sword-shaped hour and minute hands, as well as the angular sweep seconds hand, were also specially designed. The crown was screw down as opposed to the snap down design as found on production versions. Their case backs were engraved by the British Ministry of Defense with the military branch code, issue number, NATO code and year of issue.

    Extremely rare, these military examples were often used in combat and deployed to the military, with only few examples surviving. The present Omega Seamaster ref. ST 165.024 in its “mil-spec” configuration is stamped “W10” on the case back indicating that it was delivered to the British Royal Army, a rare trait in its own respect as most examples known were delivered to the British Royal Navy stamped “0552”. Most significantly used by the SAS (Special Air Service) during the 1960s and 1970s, the Special Air Service was and is an elite military unit that served as the model for the United States Delta Force. During the period between 1967 and 1971, at the height of the Cold War, the SAS were known to be active in various operations located in Aden (now the capital of Yemen, but in the mid-1960s a part of the British Protectorate of South Arabia), Oman, and Northern Ireland.

    The present example is certainly a unique and rare timepiece, featuring case back engravings that confirm the originality of the watch. On the first line the “broad arrow” insignia means that the watch was issued to the British military. “W10” signifies that the watch was issued to the British Royal Army, “6645” signifies the present object to be a time measuring instrument, “99” is the NATO code for the UK, “923-7697” on the third line is the NATO code to signify the present watch as a diver’s watch and lastly “A/030” is the individual number issued and “67” confirms that the watch was deployed in 1967.Preserved in great overall condition, this rare military timepiece is certainly one not to miss for collectors of vintage professional tool watches.

  • 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. ST 165.024
A rare, extremely attractive and historically interesting stainless steel military diver’s wristwatch with center seconds, fixed spring bar and special military markings, made for the British Royal Army

1967
40mm Diameter
Case, dial and movement signed, case back further engraved "W10/6645-99 – 923 – 7697- A/030/67”

Estimate
CHF30,000 - 50,000 
€27,200-45,300
$32,700-54,400

Sold for CHF69,300

Contact Specialist

Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Watches, Continental Europe and the Middle East

41 79 637 1724
aghotbi@phillips.com

 

 

The Geneva Watch Auction: XIII

Geneva Auction 8 - 9 May 2021