Omega - The Geneva Watch Auction: XV Geneva Saturday, May 7, 2022 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Omega
    Year: 1959
    Reference No: 2998-1
    Movement No: 17'301'173
    Model Name: Speedmaster
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 321, 17 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Omega pin buckle
    Dimensions: 39mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Omega Extract from the Archives confirming production in October 27, 1959

  • Catalogue Essay

    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).

  • 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. 2998-1
A very attractive and rare stainless steel chronograph with pulsometer bezel

1959
39mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Estimate
CHF25,000 - 50,000 
€24,600-49,100
$26,500-53,100

Sold for CHF50,400

Contact Specialist

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

+41 22 317 81 81
AGhotbi@phillips.com

Tiffany To
Head of Sale, Geneva

+41 22 317 96 63
TiffanyTo@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: XV

Geneva Auction 7 - 8 May 2022