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Lot Essay
With Omega Extract of the Archives dated 21 June 2010 confirming production of the present watch in 1959 and its delivery to the Peruvian Air Force, "FAP", the Fuerza Aérea del Perú.
This "Broad Arrow" is one of the exceedingly rare examples of the very first series "Speedmaster Broad Arrow" ref. 2915-1 made for the Peruvian Air Force to be offered in public. It is still retaining the original bezel and the original Omega stainless steel semi-extendable bracelet and is furthermore standing out by the very good original condition, the attractively discoloured luminous material to numerals and hands and the dark chocolate-brown "tropical" dial.
Launched in 1957, the celebrated Omega "Speedmaster" was the creation of Pierre Moinat, head of Omega's "creative" department, with the case designed by Claude Baillod and the prototype made by George Hartmann. The watch was originally destined for "men who reckon time in seconds", i.e. automobile racers, athletes, engineers and scientists, the tachymetre scale engraved on the bezel allowing the calculation of speed at a glimpse, hence the name "Speedmaster". As the thought of men on the moon was still in the realm of science fiction at the time, it was only later that it became the "Moon Watch".
Even before its conquest of space, the "Speedmaster" was and still is one of the most iconic watches in production. Introduced into the market in 1957, it can be considered the originator of the water-resistant sports chronograph watches. The most important improvement is unquestionably the tachymetre scale on the bezel as opposed to printed on the dial, hence rendering the dial more legible while simplifying the calculation of speed. In the years to come, this revolutionary feature was incorporated by most of the other watch manufacturers, notably by Rolex when introducing the famous "Daytona" model in the 1960s.
The original "Speedmaster Broad Arrow" ref. CK 2915 such as the present watch had a 39 mm. water-resistant case with engraved steel bezel graduated to 300 km/h, its principle characteristics, the "Broad Arrow" shaped hands, and the calibre 321 movement protected by an anti-magnetic soft iron cap. Its dial showed some very distinctive features such as the applied metal "Omega" logo as opposed to the common printed version, the "Omega" signature in a different font, appearing smaller and thinner, the letters "O" and "G" almost oval in shape, and the simple "Swiss Made" below 6 o'clock, omitting the "T" designation.
In 1959, the model became ref. 2998, the "Broad Arrow" hands were replaced with "Alpha" hands and the engraved steel bezel by the version with black insert graduated to 500 km/h.
The "Speedmaster Broad Arrow" is described and illustrated in Marco Richon's Omega - A Journey Through Time, pp. 596 - 597, Omega Saga, pp. 372 - 374 as well as in Omega Sportswatches by John Goldberger, pp. 95 - 107, where it is in addition prominently featured on the cover.
This "Broad Arrow" is one of the exceedingly rare examples of the very first series "Speedmaster Broad Arrow" ref. 2915-1 made for the Peruvian Air Force to be offered in public. It is still retaining the original bezel and the original Omega stainless steel semi-extendable bracelet and is furthermore standing out by the very good original condition, the attractively discoloured luminous material to numerals and hands and the dark chocolate-brown "tropical" dial.
Launched in 1957, the celebrated Omega "Speedmaster" was the creation of Pierre Moinat, head of Omega's "creative" department, with the case designed by Claude Baillod and the prototype made by George Hartmann. The watch was originally destined for "men who reckon time in seconds", i.e. automobile racers, athletes, engineers and scientists, the tachymetre scale engraved on the bezel allowing the calculation of speed at a glimpse, hence the name "Speedmaster". As the thought of men on the moon was still in the realm of science fiction at the time, it was only later that it became the "Moon Watch".
Even before its conquest of space, the "Speedmaster" was and still is one of the most iconic watches in production. Introduced into the market in 1957, it can be considered the originator of the water-resistant sports chronograph watches. The most important improvement is unquestionably the tachymetre scale on the bezel as opposed to printed on the dial, hence rendering the dial more legible while simplifying the calculation of speed. In the years to come, this revolutionary feature was incorporated by most of the other watch manufacturers, notably by Rolex when introducing the famous "Daytona" model in the 1960s.
The original "Speedmaster Broad Arrow" ref. CK 2915 such as the present watch had a 39 mm. water-resistant case with engraved steel bezel graduated to 300 km/h, its principle characteristics, the "Broad Arrow" shaped hands, and the calibre 321 movement protected by an anti-magnetic soft iron cap. Its dial showed some very distinctive features such as the applied metal "Omega" logo as opposed to the common printed version, the "Omega" signature in a different font, appearing smaller and thinner, the letters "O" and "G" almost oval in shape, and the simple "Swiss Made" below 6 o'clock, omitting the "T" designation.
In 1959, the model became ref. 2998, the "Broad Arrow" hands were replaced with "Alpha" hands and the engraved steel bezel by the version with black insert graduated to 500 km/h.
The "Speedmaster Broad Arrow" is described and illustrated in Marco Richon's Omega - A Journey Through Time, pp. 596 - 597, Omega Saga, pp. 372 - 374 as well as in Omega Sportswatches by John Goldberger, pp. 95 - 107, where it is in addition prominently featured on the cover.