OMEGAMANIA

Geneva, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Du Rhône, Apr 15, 2007

LOT 294

?POCKETWATCH 1932, SET NO. 8?

An exceptionally fine and rare set of three Omega pocket watches No. 8, one each in 18K yellow, white and pink gold. Made in a limited edition of 100 pieces in each color in 2006 to commemorate Omega?s return to Olympic timekeeping. Set No. 8, comprising: three exceptionally fine and rare oversized, 18K gold pocket watches with splitseconds chronoraph and 30-minute register. Accompanied by the original fitted box, a Certificate of Authenticity, and a 2-year Omega guarantee. 1) Yellow gold, movement No. 77200081, Ref. BB 147.2006. 2) White gold, movement No. 77200358, Ref. BC 147.2006 3) Pink gold, movement No. 77200351, Ref. BG 147.2006.

C. Four-body, ?bassine?, polished, hinged back, glazed cuvette, large bowin the form of the Omega emblem, sapphire crystals. D. White enamel, with dauphine numerals, outer minute/seconds and 1/5 seconds divisions with Arabic 5 minute/seconds markers, subsidiary dials for the seconds and 30-minute register. Blued steel ?spade? hands, split second hand corresponding to the case color. M. Cal. 3889 Alpha, rhodium-plated, ?fausses côtes? and ?oeil-de-perdrix? decoration, 21 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, monometallic balance, Breguet balance spring, swan neck micrometer regulator, two blued steel crown wheels. Dial, case and movement signed. Diam. 70 mm.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 1

As new
Movement: 1

As new
Dial: 1-01

As new

HANDS Original

Notes

The Omega PocketWatch 1932 project began with the extraordinary discovery of a number of unassembled chronograph movement kits, which had lain in storage for decades. The kits turned out to hold components for the very movement that had powered the Omega chronographs at the 1932 Olympic Games. The discovery sparked an ambitious and unusual undertaking: a plan to build the commemorative Pocket Watch 1932, using components recovered from the re-discovered assembly kits. Each kit comprised some 180 different parts and sub-assemblies, some of which proved to be in good condition, while others could no longer be used. All of the recovered components would have to be reconditioned, and a number of new tools would be required to assemble them. Clearly, the project represented an enormous challenge, yet the decision was never in doubt: Omega would produce an enhanced replica of the 1932 pocket watch chronograph. The new pocket watch would be based on the 1932 design, built using movements assembled from reconditioned and enhanced components, and completed with a small number of new components manufactured using contemporary watchmaking technologies. A search was begun through company archives for additional material that might prove helpful for the project, and eventually even the original movement drawings from the late 1920?s turned up on microfilm! The enormous care taken by Omega?s master watchmakers in restoring and assembling the recovered movement kits has allowed the Pocket Watch 1932 to achieve official C.O.S.C. certification as a chronometer. Like the original edition, the contemporary Omega Pocket Watch 1932 features an exquisite 57mm enamel dial, crafted using a demanding process that has become a rarity in watchmaking today. The Omega Pocket Watch 1932 tells an extraordinary story of art, emotion, and technology. From the chance discovery of the 1932 design movement kits to the final assembly of 300 exquisitely finished works of art, the Omega Pocket Watch 1932 narrates the history of Omega and the Olympic Games.