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

The Geneva Watch Auction: XV

Geneva Auction 7 - 8 May 2022

  • Manufacturer: Omega
    Year: 1970
    Reference No: ST166.077
    Movement No: 00'067'644
    Model Name: Seamaster 600 "Ploprof"
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1002, 17 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Rubber
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Staybrite pin buckle
    Dimensions: Width 54mm. and Length 45mm.
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Omega Extract from the Archives confirming the present watch was produced in 1970 and assembled internally by Omega's R&D department and that this watch was part of a small series fitted with a thermal compensated caliber to be delivered to and tested by professional divers for rate variations caused by different temperatures in various depths.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Any Ploprof captivates attention as few other watches: the enormous angular case design, the large red button for the bezel lock, the prominent bezel… It is safe to say it is a watch unlike any other, furthermore endowed with advanced technical waterproof capabilities and a distinguished history (it was notably used by COMEX as well as Ocean Systems Inc.).

    The present example is however set well apart from the “standard” Ploprof. In fact, its movement number starts with “000”. Such numeration was reserved by Omega for prototypical or R&D pieces. And indeed the Extract from the Archives confirms that it was realized internally by Omega R&D department for testing purposes. The watch in fact mounts a different caliber than the usual cal. 1002 found in production Ploprof. It features a Chronometer movement cal. 1001, especially developed to resist water temperature variations. While it makes sense that a chronometer movement was employed on such test pieces (a highly accurate movement would yield more accurate results about temperature-related variations), the byproduct of this choice is that this is one of the extremely few Ploprof timepieces to be fitted with a Chronometer-grade calibre - furthermore fully confirmed and explained by the Archive. A truly incredible discovery which will delight the connoisseur of fine and unusual timepieces.

  • 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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283

Omega

Ref. ST166.077
A historically relevant stainless steel diver's wristwatch with sweep center seconds, date, locking rotating bezel and chronometer movement

1970
Width 54mm. and Length 45mm.
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Estimate
CHF20,000 - 40,000 
€19,600-39,300
$21,200-42,500

Sold for CHF30,240

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