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Lot Essay
With Omega Certificate and Extract of Records both confirming the production of the present watch on 30 April 1959, delivered to the official Omega agent in Canada. Both furthermore confirm that it is the First Omega watch identified as "Speedmaster".
The watch offered here for sale is one of the exceedingly rare examples of the very first series "Speedmaster Broad Arrow" 2915-1 to be offered in public. Made in 1959, it still retains the original crystal etched with the Omega symbol, original bezel and original Omega stainless steel semi-extendable bracelet. The watch furthermore stands out by its very good overall condition, the full case proportions and the unrestored dial with attractively discoloured luminous material to numerals and hands.
Launched in 1957, the celebrated Omega "Speedmaster" was the creation of Pierre Moinat, head of Omega's "creative" department, with 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, The Master of Omega by Alberto Isnardi, pp. 95 -107 as well as in Omega Saga, pp. 372 - 374.
The watch offered here for sale is one of the exceedingly rare examples of the very first series "Speedmaster Broad Arrow" 2915-1 to be offered in public. Made in 1959, it still retains the original crystal etched with the Omega symbol, original bezel and original Omega stainless steel semi-extendable bracelet. The watch furthermore stands out by its very good overall condition, the full case proportions and the unrestored dial with attractively discoloured luminous material to numerals and hands.
Launched in 1957, the celebrated Omega "Speedmaster" was the creation of Pierre Moinat, head of Omega's "creative" department, with 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, The Master of Omega by Alberto Isnardi, pp. 95 -107 as well as in Omega Saga, pp. 372 - 374.