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Lot Essay
Consigned by a descendant of the original owner and preserved in very honest original condition, the present watch is one of the exceedingly rare examples of the very first series "Speedmaster Broad Arrow" 2915-1 to appear in public. Made in 1959, it still retains the original crystal etched with the Omega symbol, original bezel and equally rare 7077 bracelet.
In production for less than three years, the 2915-1 is the most highly prized of all Speedmasters. Also because of its original classification as tool watch – which meant heavy usage and consequently many lost examples – reference 2915-1 is now an astoundingly rare timepiece.
With so few early reference 2915-1 and 2915-2 examples known to the market, particularly retaining the original caliber 321 movement, steel bezel, correct hands and bracelet, this watch presents the increasingly rare opportunity to purchase an extraordinary original ‘broad arrow’ Speedmaster.
The Omega caliber 321 movement was used for the Speedmaster made between 1957 and 1969 in three distinct generations:
- 1st generation (such as the present watch),1957-1963, distinguished by its arrow-shaped index and symmetrical clutch bridge
- 2nd or transitional generation, 1963-1964, with lozenge-shaped index and symmetrical clutch bridge
- 3rd generation, 1964-1969,with lozenge-shaped index and asymmetrical clutch bridge
The bracelet of the present watch is very rare and sought after by collectors today, designated by Omega as reference 7077. It was in production only between 1957 and 1961. The main feature of this first-generation Speedmaster bracelet is the partially expanding double links closest to the clasp and short length clasp cover. With the introduction of the reference 7912 in 1961 the double expanding links were no longer present and the clasp cover is 5 mm. longer than the one of ref. 7077.
The 2915 Omega Speedmaster
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 and can be considered the progenitor of the water-resistant sports chronograph. The most important improvement is unquestionably the tachymeter scale on the bezel as opposed to being 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 other watch manufacturers, notably by Rolex when introducing the "Daytona" in the 1960s.
The original "Speedmaster Broad Arrow" ref. CK 2915 such as the present watch has a 38.5 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. The dial exhibits some very distinctive features such as the applied metal "Omega" logo as opposed to the 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, without 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: Omega - A Journey Through Time, Marco Richon, pp. 596-597;
Omega Saga, pp. 372-374; Omega Sportswatches, John Goldberger, pp. 95-107, where it is prominently features on the cover, another example of the reference 2915 also supplied to Mexico is fully illustrated on pp. 102-103; Moonwatch Only, Rossier & Marquié, pp. 240-245.
In production for less than three years, the 2915-1 is the most highly prized of all Speedmasters. Also because of its original classification as tool watch – which meant heavy usage and consequently many lost examples – reference 2915-1 is now an astoundingly rare timepiece.
With so few early reference 2915-1 and 2915-2 examples known to the market, particularly retaining the original caliber 321 movement, steel bezel, correct hands and bracelet, this watch presents the increasingly rare opportunity to purchase an extraordinary original ‘broad arrow’ Speedmaster.
The Omega caliber 321 movement was used for the Speedmaster made between 1957 and 1969 in three distinct generations:
- 1st generation (such as the present watch),1957-1963, distinguished by its arrow-shaped index and symmetrical clutch bridge
- 2nd or transitional generation, 1963-1964, with lozenge-shaped index and symmetrical clutch bridge
- 3rd generation, 1964-1969,with lozenge-shaped index and asymmetrical clutch bridge
The bracelet of the present watch is very rare and sought after by collectors today, designated by Omega as reference 7077. It was in production only between 1957 and 1961. The main feature of this first-generation Speedmaster bracelet is the partially expanding double links closest to the clasp and short length clasp cover. With the introduction of the reference 7912 in 1961 the double expanding links were no longer present and the clasp cover is 5 mm. longer than the one of ref. 7077.
The 2915 Omega Speedmaster
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 and can be considered the progenitor of the water-resistant sports chronograph. The most important improvement is unquestionably the tachymeter scale on the bezel as opposed to being 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 other watch manufacturers, notably by Rolex when introducing the "Daytona" in the 1960s.
The original "Speedmaster Broad Arrow" ref. CK 2915 such as the present watch has a 38.5 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. The dial exhibits some very distinctive features such as the applied metal "Omega" logo as opposed to the 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, without 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: Omega - A Journey Through Time, Marco Richon, pp. 596-597;
Omega Saga, pp. 372-374; Omega Sportswatches, John Goldberger, pp. 95-107, where it is prominently features on the cover, another example of the reference 2915 also supplied to Mexico is fully illustrated on pp. 102-103; Moonwatch Only, Rossier & Marquié, pp. 240-245.