Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

Geneva, May 10, 2025

LOT 245

OMEGA, SWITZERLAND, REF. PROJECT P33, DE VILLE CENTRAL TOURBILLON PROTOTYPE, BRASS

CHF 10,000 - 20,000

HKD 95,000 - 190,000 / USD 12,300 - 24,500 / EUR 10,800 - 21,500

Sold: CHF 55,000

A fine, extremely rare, prototype, brass, manual wind central tourbillon wristwatch


Grading System
Grade:
Case: 2-6-8

Very good

Slightly oxidized

Slightly scratched

Movement: 2*

Very good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense

Dial: 2-8-01

Very good

Slightly scratched

HANDS Original

Brand Omega, switzerland

Model De Ville central tourbillon prototype

Reference Project P33

Year circa 1991

Bracelet leather with a gold plated Omega buckle

Diameter 39

Caliber 1170, 48 jewels

Accessories technical drawing and various correspondance

Notes

The Project P33 was again the fruit of the collaboration of probably 2 of the greatest watch engineers Andre Beyner and Moritz Grimm (for another prototype for Audemars Piguet see lot XX). Started in 1991 for Omega, this time the goal for the manufacture's 100th anniversary (1894–1994) was to produce something great and unusual. It was decided that a Tourbillon wristwatch would be the perfect watch to create but in order to make it truly unique they decided a central flying tourbillon would be the way to go.

The gearing for the plates was moved to the periphery of the dials into the sides of the watchcase.

Since the traditional position for the center cannon-pinion and time indicators was now taken by the tourbillon cage, engineers had to modify the display mechanism from the Omega Dinosaur. The hands of the central tourbillon were etched onto thin sapphire crystal disks that rotated on top of one another to display the minutes and hours.

The escapement was constructed with a solid gold balance wheel and a blued Breguet balance spring with a Phillips overcoil. The seconds’ indicator was shaped into the Omega symbol and incorporated onto the tourbillon regulator as well. By using a cage constructed of lightweight titanium, the 41-component tourbillon assembly only weighed 0.46 grams; the balance wheel alone weighed 0.20g. The lightweight tourbillon and a platinum rotor mounted directly into the caseback for ideal mass and winding efficiency both contributed to achieve a final power reserve of 45 hours.

This example was one of the very few original prototypes made and was the personal watch of Andre Beyner explaining as well its never before seen "crosshair" dial. A unique opportunity to acquire a piece of Swiss watchmaking history.

Provenance

Former property of Andre Beyner