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Antiquorum hosts thematic auction for Omega (by Osvaldo Patrizzi)

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As you all know by now, once a year Antiquorum dedicates an auction sale to one specific theme, be it a brand, a type of watch, the production of a specific city or a nation. Our objective is for the appreciation of some of the finest and most important watchmakers or manufacturers who have contributed to the art of horology by making it famous and popular. The choice of Omega is obviously not by chance. For quite a while we have discussed, amongst ourselves, the historical and technological merits of this manufacturer, which can be easily compared to that of the “sophisticated” collectors’ brands. The 50 year anniversary of the Speedmaster seemed like the ideal occasion to celebrate this jubilee of one of the most famous wristwatches in the world. The more involved and submersed we became in the history of this company, the more interesting certain facts became, especially regarding the number and variety of the models produced. It is our contention that many of these facts have gone unnoticed by the majority of collectors. This hypothesis was confirmed when we tried to find a comparable brand to Omega; we found a strong parallel between Omega’s and Rolex’s products.

The recent sale of the Mondani Collection was sure evidence that the commercial success of Rolex is rooted in the professional series and today is avidly collected by watch enthusiasts. Omega, with its Master series parallels the same concept, producing similar models, sometimes before, and sometimes following, Rolex. Both manufacturers targeted a specific clientele, but each interpreting them in their own way with their own savoir faire.

Omega Deville

It is interesting to examine some of the parallels between the 2 brands. There are many examples of Omega’s precision, such as chronometers, which are the fundamentals of horology. Omega, just as Rolex, received many awards in the “Chronometric Contests” for wristwatches. Omega received awards from the National Physical Laboratory of Kew Teddington in the 1940’s (after winning the still unbeaten precision competitions in 1933 and 1936 with the 47.7mm caliber), the Geneva observatory from 1945, and from the Neuchatel observatory from 1948. One must not forget that in 1974 Omega produced the most precise quartz wristwatch in the world – 5 seconds per year, the Marine Chronometer.

The Omega Marine, like the Rolex Oyster, was targeted for divers as one of the first divers’ wristwatches, and was launched in 1932.
The Omega Seamaster was first commercially produced in 1948, as a sporty and yet elegant watch that was both self-winding and waterproof, and has constantly evolved, becoming a diver’s watch. This watch had the same characteristics as the Rolex Tourn-o-Graph, launched in 1950 and the Submariner launched in 1953.
The Synchrobeat (dead second), produced by Omega in 1951, was similar to Rolex’s Tru-Beat, the first examples of which are seen in 1952-53.
Omega’s Constellation, born in 1952, was selfwinding, waterproof, and it had inscribed on the dial “chronometer officially certified”. It was an elegant and completely reliable wristwatch, comparable to the Rolex Air King, Explorer, and Metropolitan.
The most celebrated of the Omega models is the Moon Watch, or the Speedmaster, which appeared in 1957 with instantaneous success. In its 50 year history, more than 250 references have been made, based on this model. It is similar to Rolex’s Cosmograph Daytona, that was first publicized in 1964 (and was difficult initially to sell). Both of these chronographs have been, and are, the most desired by collectors and watch enthusiasts.
The Railmaster was made to resist magnetism, produced by large electrical engines, made by Omega in 1957, and it was the equivalent of the Rolex Milgauss that first appeared in roughly 1958.
The ”off limits” watch was one that was for all uses and situations, and Omega’s Ranchero, made in 1958, parallels Rolex’s Explorer that started production in 1953.
Omega’s series De Ville appears in 1960, as a response to Rolex’s series Cellini and Precision.
The Chronostop is a simplified chronograph model, appearing in 1966, and has similar characteristics to Rolex’s Zerograph and Centrograph.
Omega’s Ploprof, plongeurs professionels, (1970) just as the Rolex Seadweller (1971), was destined to professional divers who plunged to extreme depths.
The Flightmaster, from 1969, was specially produced by Omega for pilots and world travelers. It is equipped with a second time zone indication hand, inspired by the GMT Master by Rolex, launched in 1953.

Omega Seamaster

Numerous comparisons can be found in Antiquorum’s Omegamania’s catalogue, as well as many typical Omega watches, some extremely rare, some with prestigious provenences, and a selection of #1 models made especially for this thematic event. We are preparing a very interesting auction catalogue, rich in information and illustrations, which we are sure will captivate your interest and attention. Every watch sold in this special auction will be completely overhauled by Omega, and will be backed by a 2 year guarantee and certificate of authenticity.

Osvaldo Patrizzi

I would like to take this occasion to thank the CEO of Omega, Mr. Stephen Urquhart, for his vision in supporting our project, providing the people and material necessary to make Antiquorum’s auction one of the most interesting events, worthy of the manufacturer. I would also like to thank Mr. Marco Richon, the “living memory” of Omega, an indispensable fountain of information, who enriched the completion of this catalogue. Vice-president Jean- Claude Monachon, but also Special Project Manager Claude Guelbert, together with Omega’s product, marketing, logistics and after-sales service team have been particularly helpful in the collaboration between our two companies and in the planning of our worldwide exhibitions. Everyone Antiquorum wuold like to thank the entire Omega staff. I leave you now to enjoy this Omegamania selection preview, but before closing, I would like to share a comment made by Gerald Genta, an icon in the horological world, made to me when I mentioned the Omega project. He reflected for a moment and said: In the early 60’s I designed many models for Omega, very discreetly; I felt very connected to this company. Everything that Omega produced was copied by all the others – they were the best!

This entry was posted on Thursday, January 26th, 2006 at 3:30 pm and is filed under Guests Submissions

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Antiquorum hosts thematic auction for Omega (by Osvaldo Patrizzi)

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