Omega - The Geneva Watch Auction: XVI Geneva Saturday, November 5, 2022 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Omega
    Year: 1967
    Reference No: 165024-64
    Movement No: 24'723'472
    Case No: Engraved W10/6645-99-923-7697 A/312/67
    Model Name: Seamaster 300
    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
    Accessories: Accompanied by Omega Extract from the Archives confirming delivery of the present watch to the British Army and its production date in 1967

  • Catalogue Essay

    Officially introduced in 1957, the Seamaster 300 is part of Omega’s “Professional” tool watches line produced for professional and recreational divers. Between 1967 and 1970, a very small batch of this reference was made for military use. Custom designed by Omega to meet the British Ministry of Defense’s specifications, their cases, with distinctive curved and beveled lugs, were delivered with fixed spring bars. The dials featured an encircled ‘T’ designation, signifying the use of tritium for the luminous hour markers and broad, sword-shaped hour and minute hands, along with an angular, sweep seconds hand specially designed for military use. The crown was screw down opposed to the snap down design found on standard production models.

    The present example is certainly a rare timepiece, featuring caseback 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/312” 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. 165024-64
A rare and attractive stainless steel diver’s wristwatch with black dial, fixed spring bars and special British Army military markings

1967
40mm Diameter
Case, dial and movement signed

Estimate
CHF30,000 - 50,000 
€30,900-51,500
$30,000-50,100

Sold for CHF68,040

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: XVI

Geneva Auction 5 - 6 November 2022