Manufacturer: Omega Year: 1958 Reference No: 3977 Movement No: 15'893'395 Case No: 373'985 Material: 18K white gold Calibre: Automatic, cal. 471, 20 jewels Bracelet/Strap: 18K gold Gay Frères for Omega integrated bracelet, max length 195mm Clasp/Buckle: 18K white gold Gay Frères for Omega clasp stamped "2 58". Additional unsigned extension clasp. Dimensions: 28.5mm Length, 28.5mm Width Signed: Case, dial, movement and clasp signed by maker, clasp further signed by bracelet maker Accessories: Accompanied by Omega Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch and it subsequent sale on April 10, 1958 in Switzerland
Catalogue Essay
While Omega is mostly known for its tool wristwatches (Speedmaster, Railmaster, Seamster etc), the present lot exemplifies the company prowess in dress watches as well. Endowed with a superbly preserved black glossy dial, the contrast with the white gold case is supremely pleasing. The white gold hands and indexes have cleverly been granted a black dorsal line which enhances legibility and adds charisma to the overall look.
The bracelet itself is a true work of art, a creation of what is considered the best bracelet maker of the past century: Gay Frѐres. The overall case construction is highly intriguing, the caseback being held in place by two screws which are anchored to the first link of the bracelet, indicating the absolute originality of this configuration (furthermore confirmed by the maker).
On the technical side, the timepiece is powered by cal.471, an automatic movement featuring a bumper rotor, Omega’s answer to the impossibility of using a standard 360 degrees rotor as Rolex at the time still held the patent on this construction.
Fresh to the auction market the present reference 3977 is the only one known in white gold to have appeared and a timepiece of incredible charism and collectibility.
Omega's rich history begins with its founder, Louis Brandt, who established the firm in 1848 in La Chaux de Fonds. In 1903, the company changed its name to Omega, becoming the only watch brand in history to have been named after one its own movements. A full-fledged manufacturer of highly accurate, affordable and reliable watches, its sterling reputation enabled them to be chosen as the first watch company to time the Olympic Games beginning in 1932. Its continued focus on precision and reliability ultimately led their Speedmaster chronograph wristwatch to be chosen by NASA in 1965 — the first watch worn on the moon.
Key models sought-after by collectors include their first, oversized water-resistant chronograph — the reference 2077, early Speedmaster models such as the CK 2915 and 2998, military-issued versions of the Seamaster and oversized chronometer models such as those fitted with their prestigious caliber 30T2Rg.