Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces.

Hong Kong, Dec 12, 2018

LOT 187

OMEGA, CHRONOMÈTRE "GRADE VERY BEST", 14K YELLOW GOLD

HKD 155,000 - 300,000

USD 20,000 - 40,000 / EUR 17,000 - 35,000

Very fine, rare and important, hunting-cased, 14K yellow gold keyless pocket chronometer, one of a series of 300 pieces made in 1921


Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3

Good

Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense

Dial: 3-01

Good

HANDS Original

Brand Omega

Model Grade Very Best

Reference Ref. OV 241 YV

Year 1921

Movement No. 5 983 813

Case No. 7 608 910

Caliber 43.15 S

Dimensions Ø 52 mm.

Signature dial, case and movement

Notes

Cal. 43.15 S "Very Best" The present watch cost 1085 Swiss francs in 1929. By way of comparison, that same year Tiffany & Co. sold a Patek Philippe minute-repeating perpetual calendar pocket watch with moon phases, split-second chronograph and 30-minute recorder for 2835 Swiss francs, and a standard 18K gold hunting-cased pocket watch with 20''' movements could be bought for 385 Swiss francs. The fact that this watch cost nearly 40% as much as a highly complicated Patek Philippe and over four times as much as that company's standard production is due to the cost of manufacturing such a high-precision movement. Precision movements are made to much smaller mechanical tolerances than standard watch movements and often take as long to manufacture and regulate as complicated movements. Precision watches were also prized possessions and were often reserved for the manufacturer's best clients. The "Very Best" grade replaced the "DDR" as Omega's highest quality Chronometer movement in July 1922. This calibre was made in 600 examples, 300 Lépine and 300 "savonnette". The term "Very Best" was trademarked by Omega for dials, cases, and movements, in 1904.