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Lot Essay
Almost never seen at auction today, the Speedmaster 2998-1 is one of the ‘must-have’ models for the serious Omega collector. This excellent example is fitted with the original early-type black aluminium tachymeter bezel graduated to BASE 1000 units and features the iconic and much sought after ‘lollipop’ luminous chronograph seconds hand. In excellent overall condition, this very appealing watch will impress collectors with its very well preserved dial, naturally aged over the past 60 years, the luminous material has mellowed to a pleasing sandy colour that perfectly matches the luminous material of the hands. A rare early semi-expandable bracelet stamped with the date code for the third quarter of 1961 completes this superb reference 2998-1. Worthy of closer examination, the specifics of present watch are detailed below. For ease of identification, any classifications can be cross-referenced to the book ‘Moon Watch Only – The Ultimate Omega Speedmaster Guide’, Grégoire Rossier and Anthony Marquié, 2014.
The Dial
Type ‘A4’ in use between 1959 and 1961. The main distinctive features are the round ‘O’ of Omega and minutes counter with short secondary markers.
The Hands
Known as ‘Alpha – Variant 2’ and in use on reference 2998-1 between 1960 and 1961. The hour hand with distinctive triangular-shaped luminous field. The chronograph seconds is the correct ‘lollipop’ (was also available with straight hand), white ‘Alpha’ subsidiary hands.
The Case
Screw back engraved ‘Speedmaster’ and with the hippocampus emblem. Black ‘Style 2’ aluminium ‘BASE 1000’ bezel insert in use between 1959 and 1961. Original Omega winding crown with ‘flat footed’ Omega symbol. Hesalite (shatterproof acrylic polymer), Type A2 -Omega symbol with wide loop and short feet.
The Movement
Caliber 321, 1st Generation, in use between 1957 and 1968, it features a symmetrical clutch bridge. Usually with an arrow-shaped adjustment index, the present movement has the stretched lozenge type in use from 1963. However, Rossier & Marquié in ‘Moon Watch Only’ state that “It is not unusual for the adjustment index to have been replaced, if needed, by the new type”.
The Bracelet
Possibly the transitional version between references 7077 and 7912, stamped ‘3 61’ for the third quarter of 1961. This bracelet still has the short clasp and partially expanding links of the earlier reference 7077 but no longer has the ‘double’ links found on that reference. The end links are stamped ‘6’ (19 mm.).
Reference 2998
The immediate successor to reference 2915, the 2998-1 was released in 1959. The new model adopted many of the features of the 2915-3, the final model of the earlier reference, including the black bezel and Alpha hands. Over only three years of production, eight sub-references of reference 2998 were introduced. Famously, the reference became the first Speedmaster to travel into space with Wally Schirra on the Sigma 7 mission of the Mercury program in October 1962.
The Dial
Type ‘A4’ in use between 1959 and 1961. The main distinctive features are the round ‘O’ of Omega and minutes counter with short secondary markers.
The Hands
Known as ‘Alpha – Variant 2’ and in use on reference 2998-1 between 1960 and 1961. The hour hand with distinctive triangular-shaped luminous field. The chronograph seconds is the correct ‘lollipop’ (was also available with straight hand), white ‘Alpha’ subsidiary hands.
The Case
Screw back engraved ‘Speedmaster’ and with the hippocampus emblem. Black ‘Style 2’ aluminium ‘BASE 1000’ bezel insert in use between 1959 and 1961. Original Omega winding crown with ‘flat footed’ Omega symbol. Hesalite (shatterproof acrylic polymer), Type A2 -Omega symbol with wide loop and short feet.
The Movement
Caliber 321, 1st Generation, in use between 1957 and 1968, it features a symmetrical clutch bridge. Usually with an arrow-shaped adjustment index, the present movement has the stretched lozenge type in use from 1963. However, Rossier & Marquié in ‘Moon Watch Only’ state that “It is not unusual for the adjustment index to have been replaced, if needed, by the new type”.
The Bracelet
Possibly the transitional version between references 7077 and 7912, stamped ‘3 61’ for the third quarter of 1961. This bracelet still has the short clasp and partially expanding links of the earlier reference 7077 but no longer has the ‘double’ links found on that reference. The end links are stamped ‘6’ (19 mm.).
Reference 2998
The immediate successor to reference 2915, the 2998-1 was released in 1959. The new model adopted many of the features of the 2915-3, the final model of the earlier reference, including the black bezel and Alpha hands. Over only three years of production, eight sub-references of reference 2998 were introduced. Famously, the reference became the first Speedmaster to travel into space with Wally Schirra on the Sigma 7 mission of the Mercury program in October 1962.