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Lot Essay
The Heritage Department of Omega confirms that the reference 11000, number 3, is a pre-series prototype. However, being an early prototype it is not registered in firm's Archives and consquently no Extract from the Archives will be issued.
As a prototype, this watch is extremely rare. Manufactured after the Mark IV and before the Mark V designs, collectors have nicknamed the model the “Mark 4.5”, its thicker more curved chamfered case regarded as being more attractive than the final production model Mark V.
In common with other known prototypes, the present watch is marked by the hand engraving of number “3” near the balance as well as underneath the upper left lug - a way for OMEGA to identify pre-series products at the time. Interestingly, whilst the movement is visually identifiable as calibre 1045, the caliber number is not stamped on the movement in the usual way. The case is unsigned with only the reference number “11000” and “acier inoxydable” stamped inside the back, all features underlining the watch’s prototype status.
Another almost identical reference 11000 protoype, no. 162, was sold at Christie’s New York, Omega Speedmaster 50 from a Spacewalk to Today, 15 December 2015, lot 27.
As a prototype, this watch is extremely rare. Manufactured after the Mark IV and before the Mark V designs, collectors have nicknamed the model the “Mark 4.5”, its thicker more curved chamfered case regarded as being more attractive than the final production model Mark V.
In common with other known prototypes, the present watch is marked by the hand engraving of number “3” near the balance as well as underneath the upper left lug - a way for OMEGA to identify pre-series products at the time. Interestingly, whilst the movement is visually identifiable as calibre 1045, the caliber number is not stamped on the movement in the usual way. The case is unsigned with only the reference number “11000” and “acier inoxydable” stamped inside the back, all features underlining the watch’s prototype status.
Another almost identical reference 11000 protoype, no. 162, was sold at Christie’s New York, Omega Speedmaster 50 from a Spacewalk to Today, 15 December 2015, lot 27.