Important Watches, Collectors’ Wristw...

Hotel Noga Hilton, Nov 14, 2004

LOT 149

"Geneva Observatory" Omega, "Constellation", Automatic Chronometre, Officially Certified, No. 13767035, case No. 2001647, Ref. 2852SC/2853S@C. Production of this model started in 1952. Very rare and fine, center-seconds, self-winding, water-resistant, 18K yel- low gold gentleman's wristwatch with cloisonné enamel dial representing the Geneva Observatory. Accompanied by original box, strap and 18K gold buckle.

C. Two-body, solid, polished, snap-on case back with embossed observatory,concave lapidated lugs. D. Two-tone yellow gold with applied yellow gold dou-ble-dart faceted indexes on a twelve-sided outer polished plain reserve, abovethe 6, the signature and an applied gold star. Yellow gold "Dauphine" hands. M.Cal. 354, copper-colored, 17 jewels, straight line lever escapement,monometallic balance adjusted to temperatures and 5 positions, Incablockshock-absorber, self compensating flat balance-spring, "swan-neck" microme-ter regulator.Dial, case and movement signed.Diam. 35 mm.Beginning in the 1940s, Omega produced a small series of wristwatcheswith hand-made cloisonné enamel dials. In 1946 the "Fantaisie" modelwas launched, then in 1954 the "Observatoire", with Ref.2852SC, and that same year the "Char de Neptune".The image embossed on the case back represents theGeneva Observatory and several constellations. In hisbook "The Omega Saga", Marco Richon describesthese three watches, stating that they are among therarest of Omega's wristwatches (p. 252).