Important Collectors Wristwatches, P...
Geneva, Nov 16, 2008
LOT 310
Alaska Project Omega, ?Speedmaster Professional?, No. 29116425, Ref. ST. 145.0022-69. One of a small number of prototypes made between 1971 and 1973. Exceptionally rare and fine, asymmetric, water-resistant, stainless steel wristwatch with round button chronograph, 12-hour and 30-minute registers, black bezel with tachometer, Apollo hands for the 12-hour and 30-minute registers and a stainless steel Omega bracelet and deployant clasp. Accompanied by a large red two-body thermo-protective case.
CHF 40,000 - 60,000
USD 37,000 - 55,000 / EUR 25,000 - 38,000
Sold: CHF 33,000
C. Three-body, solid, polished and brushed, black bezel with tachometer graduated to 500 UPH, lyre lugs, integral crown and pusher guard, screw-down back engraved with Speedmaster logo. Thermic case: Two-body, red eloxidized aluminum with 60-minute counter and two chronograph pushers on the band. D. Matte white, zinc oxide-coated, with painted luminous baton indexes, sunk subsidiary dials for the seconds, the 12-hour and 30-minute registers, outer reserve for the minute/seconds and 1/5th seconds divisions. Black and white luminous baton hands, luminous red chronograph hand, luminous black Apollo hands for the 12-hour and 30-minute registers. M. Cal. 861, copper-colored, 17 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, monometallic balance, shock absorber, self-compensating flat balance spring, index regulator. Dial, case and movement signed. Dim. 42 mm. Thickness 14 mm. Approx. overall length 185 mm.
| Grading System | |
|---|---|
Grade: |
|
Case: 2 |
Very good |
Movement: 1 |
As new |
Dial: 1-01 |
As new HANDS Original |
Notes
the goal of this project, led by Pierre Chopard from 1971 to 1973, was to improve on the Speedmaster by creating a watch perfectly suited to the low temperatures in space. The Swiss patent CH 537170 was granted on 31 May, 1973, for an outer case designed to protect the watch from extreme temperature variations. The watch?s dial was coated with zinc oxide; this material provides the highest resistance to solar radiation. NASA?s response to the prototype, however, was that they saw no need to improve on the Speedmaster. The project therefore remained a prototype, but it did inspire the new limited series of 1970 pieces, the Speedmaster Moonwatch ?Alaska Project?, Ref. 31132423004001, launched at Basel World 2008.