Manufacturer: Omega Year: 1941 Reference No: 2077 Movement No: 9’379’975 Case No: 9’979’046 Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Manual, cal. 33.3 CHRO, 17 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Dimensions: 38.5mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial and movement signed Accessories: Accompanied by an Extract from the Archives confirming date of production on September 15, 1941 and delivery to Sweden. Provenance: Phillips, Geneva, START-STOP-RESET: 88 EPIC STAINLESS STEEL CHRONOGRAPHS, May 14, 2016, lot 78.
Provenance
Phillips, Geneva, START-STOP-RESET: 88 EPIC STAINLESS STEEL CHRONOGRAPHS, May 14, 2016, lot 78.
Catalogue Essay
When reference CK 2077 was first launched in 1937, it was Omega’s first water resistant chronograph wristwatch, and can be considered a turning point within the manufacturer.
This example from 1941 is a very early representation of this reference, and considering its age, has managed to survive with hardly any signs of wear. It’s fitted with an absolutely beautiful dial, with two grey subsidiary dials and an hour ring that contrast sharply against the black dial. Preserved in most appealing condition, its masculine, highly legible aesthetic is further enhanced by mirror-polished, raised Arabic hour markers. The most outer black ring is highlighted by a bright beige telemeter scale that could be a most helpful feature for any military personnel, but also weather monitors.
The case retains excellent proportions and sharp lines along the bezel and lugs. The screw-down caseback is further engraved “Waterproof Modèle Deposé”, as it was a still new and exciting feature during the era of its manufacture.
With a substantial diameter of 38.5mm, it was oversized for the time period, but is now considered ideal for watch collectors today. It is testament of its overall quality and appeal the fact that the present timepiece was selected to be part of the highly curated and restricted "Start-Stop-Reset" Phillips thematic sale centred on outstanding chronograph timepieces.
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.
Ref. 2077 A very attractive, rare and oversized stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with black and grey colored-dial, mirror-polished raised Arabic hour markers, and telemeter scale
1941 38.5mm Diameter Case, dial and movement signed
