Omega - The Geneva Watch Auction: XVI Geneva Saturday, November 5, 2022 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Omega
    Year: 1993
    Reference No: ST 345.0022.105 – PIC 03596.50.00
    Case No: 48'294'653, caseback further engraved 1/28
    Model Name: Speedmaster Professional, “MIR 365 Days”
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 861, 17 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Omega bracelet, endlinks stamped "812", max length 215 mm
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Omega deployant clasp stamped 1479
    Dimensions: 42mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, bracelet and movement signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by undated and unstamped International Warranty, limited edition Certificate confirming the present timepiece to be number 1/28, pouches, VHS tape, Omega black book-like presentation box, Houston Space Center pen, Omega Speedmaster book, Omega collection booklet and unique edition MAGISTER Speedmaster collection book.
    Literature: The exact same watch is featured in Andrea Foffi's MAGISTER , A unique Andrea Foffi speedmaster selection, pp. 262-265

  • Catalogue Essay

    While many commemorative endeavors were made for various space missions and accomplishments, the present watch is actually part of an aerospace project, as it physically stayed in space for 365 days at the MIR space station, earning the coveted title of a "flown" wristwatch.

    During the cold war the exploration and subsequent control over the outer unexplored space was unquestionably lead by the United States and the Soviet Union. Both sides made it their mission to be the first to be leaders in the age of space exploration, these pioneering efforts yielded significant improvements and discoveries of new technologies that would eventually be transferred to civilian use. In 1986, the Soviet Union effectively built a space station named MIR ("world" in Russian) which operated on Earth's low orbit. Robustly built, the space craft had an intended life expectancy of five year, however it surpassed those expectations and remained operative till 2001, when the Russian federation removed it from orbit due to age.

    The main objective of the MIR space station was conducting study projects on microgravity, and the study of the effects of long-term human spaceflight. In July 1993, during one of those studies, 35 Speedmaster Professional watches where taken on the space station for 365 days to study and observe the effects of microgravity on the mechanism of a watch. Out of those 35 examples, 28 where cased in stainless steel, like the present example, and 7 in yellow gold. Only after their successful return to Earth and after a thorough examination from Omega where they successfully offered on sale to the public, with naturally a dedicative and celebrative engraving on the caseback.

    The present Omega MIR is preserved in excellent overall condition, with hardly any signs of wear, other than two extremely small dents present on the caseback. The timepiece has developed a very enticing matte-black, greyish hue on the dial and its hour markers together with its hands have both developed a lovely and homogeneous topicalization to a light caramel color.

    Most importantly, out of the extremely limited and low number of examples made, this particular example is the very first reference 345.0022.105 from the rare batch of 28, as it can be seen and confirmed from the caseback. This exact same watch , numbered 1/28, and featured in Andrea Foffi's book :MAGISTER, A unique Andrea Foffi Speedmaster selection. Completed with its original accessories, the present lot is an unmissable chance for watch lovers and space enthusiasts to own mementos which chronicle one of the most important space missions in the history of humanity.

    This watch, in addition of being complete with its "space" accessories, has another absolutely unique peculiarity: it is accompanied by a "unique" copy numbered 1/1, of the XL version (35x50 cm) of the Magister volume, while 40 other examples in this format will be produced with a standard cover. This unique book has a personalized cover where this watch is featured. It is also presented on 8 pages inside.

  • Artist Biography

    Omega

    Swiss • 1848

    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.

    View More Works

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Ref. ST 345.0022.105 – PIC 03596.50.00
An exceptional and rare limited edition stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with “MIR – 365 Days” caseback inscription, bracelet, certificate, international warranty, impressive travel case and unique copy of the MAGISTER book, numbered 1 of a limited edition of 28 pieces which were flown in space for a year

1993
42mm diameter
Case, dial, bracelet and movement signed

Estimate
CHF40,000 - 80,000 
€41,000-82,000
$39,900-79,800

Sold for CHF100,800

Contact Specialist

Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Watches, Continental Europe and the Middle East
+41 22 317 81 81
AGhotbi@phillips.com
 

Tiffany To
Head of Sale, Geneva
+41 22 317 96 63
TiffanyTo@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: XVI

Geneva Auction 5 - 6 November 2022