Omega - Game Changers New York Tuesday, December 10, 2019 | Phillips

Game Changers

New York Auction 10 December 2019

  • Manufacturer: Omega
    Year: 2000
    Reference No: The first: 5912.30.22, 18K yellow gold
    The second: 5932.30.23, 18K rose gold
    The third: 5942.30.31, 18K white gold
    Movement No: The first: No. 009
    The second: No. 010
    The third: No. 011
    Case No: The first: No. 009
    The second: No. 010
    The third: No. 011
    Model Name: DeVille Co-Axial
    Calibre: All automatic, skeletonized cal. 2402, 27 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Each crocodile
    Clasp/Buckle: One each 18K yellow gold, 18K pink gold and 18k white gold Omega deployant clasp.
    Dimensions: Each 37.5mm Diameter
    Signed: All cases, dials, movements, and clasps signed
    Accessories: Each watch is accompanied with an international guarantee, Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres, and red Omega hang tag, the white gold model with additional white hang tag. Further accompanied by an Omega Certificate of Authenticity numbered 3/3, letter from George Daniels, publicity photographs of the collection and Mr. Daniels, operating instructions, and additional product literature.

  • Catalogue Essay

    The heart of any mechanical timepiece is the escapement, which through a series of gears, wheels, and a pallet fork, allows stored energy in the main barrel to be transferred in a consistent and controlled motion so the hands on the dial move forward at a controlled rate. Since the beginning of time, mankind has sought to keep track of time and as early as the 3rd century BC, written records mentioned liquid-driven mechanisms and water clocks. Early Chinese Tang (618-907AD) and Song (960-1279) dynasty records indicated the use of water powered mechanisms, and later in the 13th century, European records documented the use of mercury-based escapements. However, it was not until the 14th century the first true mechanical clock escapement was developed, and technical advancements over the next centuries would continue to lead to improved reliability and accuracy.

    In 1750, Thomas Mudge created the lever escapement, which became the leading improvement to clock and pocket watch timekeeping capabilities with a steady, even rate allowing for greater accuracy, and found in over 99% of mechanical watches used to the present day. In the nearly 260 years since Mudge first developed the lever escapement, there had been little change or improvement until the late 20th century with the development of an all-new “Co-Axial escapement” developed by one of the preeminent horologists of the 20th century, George Daniels.

    Declaring his invention “the Co-Axial escapement was the first practical new watch escapement in 250 years,” Daniels’ Co-Axial mechanism was constructed with three pallets as a means to separate the locking function from the impulse. The clockwise and anti-clockwise impulses of the lever escapement were delivered indirectly, which result in significant energy loss, whereas with the Co-Axial movement, the clockwise impulse is given directly to the pallet. This design relied on radial friction, as opposed to sliding friction found with lever escapements, giving the escapement greater reliability, mechanical efficiency, and improved accuracy. Daniels first application of his Co-Axial escapement design was in 1974 when he independently modified the caliber 1045 of his personal Omega Speedmaster Mark 4.5. It was not until the 1990s that Daniels found support and enthusiasm for the new mechanism from Omega Chairman Nicolas Hayek. Working with Omega’s watchmakers, Daniels created the caliber 2500 – the first commercial movement to be fitted with a Co-Axial escapement. Launched in 1999 within an all-new DeVille collection, the present set of three gold wristwatches were the very first models to feature the Co-Axial escapement and is the first set publicly offered at auction. Remarkably, the set comes accompanied with a signed letter from George Daniels himself. Produced in a limited number of only three sets, the watches are skeletonized (caliber 2402) to allow the wearer to see the marvel of this invention. The watches are presented in excellent condition and are the first serially-produced timepieces to feature Daniels revolutionary escapement. Since its release in 1999, the Co-Axial escapement has become widely employed throughout Omega’s collection. Of particular note are the tiny blued steel indexes and matching handset, meticulously cleaned and then exposed to an open fame in order to achieve a rich cobalt coloring to the steel. Daniels himself used the blued steel technique on some of his most famous timepieces, including the Grand Complication and the Space Traveller. This is a very rare opportunity to own a set of wristwatches that feature this new mechanism, and one in which George Daniel’s had a personal and intimate role in its creation.

  • 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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Omega

Ref. The first: 5912.30.22, 18K yellow gold The second: 5932.30.23, 18K rose gold The third: 5942.30.31, 18K white gold
A very rare and important limited edition set of three gold Co-Axial skeletonized chronometer wristwatches, each with an international guarantee, Chronometer Certificate, accompanied with an Omega Certificate of Authenticity, letter from George Daniels

2000
Each 37.5mm Diameter
All cases, dials, movements, and clasps signed

Estimate
$25,000 - 50,000 
CHF24,900-49,700
€22,700-45,300
HK$196,000-391,000

Sold for $40,000

Contact Specialist
Paul Boutros
Head of Watches, Americas & International Strategy Advisor
Senior Vice President
+1 212 940 1293
pboutros@phillips.com

Game Changers

New York Auction 10 December 2019