Manufacturer: Omega Year: 1952 Reference No: PA14321 Movement No: 12’770’167 Case No: 11'060'069 Material: Platinum and diamonds Calibre: Automatic, cal. 342, 17 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Omega pin buckle Dimensions: 35mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and pin buckle signed Accessories: Accompanied by Omega Extract of the Archives confirming production of the present watch in December 18, 1952 and was ordered as a single piece for the Spanish market.
Catalogue Essay
One of the most impressive Omega watches to grace the auction market in recent years, the present watch is truly arresting. Confirmed by Omega as being produced as a single piece, it was delivered to Spain in 1952. One can easily infer that this watch was purchased by an important individual with enough clout to order such a costly and lavish timepiece during the postwar years. Interestingly, of the few known Omega platinum watches produced in the 1950s, many were delivered to Spain.
This watch most notably displays a beautiful two-tone honeycomb dial set with diamond markers - a detail that can also be found on other top-quality timepieces cased in the noblest of metals. Of particular note is its exceptional state of preservation. Considering that this watch has a snap-on case back, one would image that the dial would display heavy patina. Yet, this example remains pristine, further enhancing the two-tone design.
Its large 35mm case gives it a decidedly singular appearance. Housing the automatic caliber 342, the case is preserved in impressive condition and boasts a sharp and crisp hallmark punched to the side of the case. All angles and facets remain defined. One can conclude that this timepiece was worn sparingly and painstakingly preserved for over sixty years.
During the mid-twentieth century, platinum was the most prestigious and expensive case metal that Omega had to offer. To date, only an exceedingly small number of platinum-cased Omega watches have ever graced the auction market. Considering the austerity measures during the beginning of the 1950s, one can only imagine the costly nature of such a precious timepiece.
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. PA14321 An exceedingly rare, large and extremely attractive platinum and diamond-set wristwatch with two-tone honeycomb dial, ordered as a single piece
1952 35mm Diameter Case, dial, movement and pin buckle signed