Manufacturer: Omega Year: 1938 Reference No: CK 859 AF Movement No: 8'761'247 Case No: 9'519'035 Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Manual, cal. 26.5 SOBT2, jeweled Bracelet/Strap: Leather strap Clasp/Buckle: Associated stainless steel buckle Dimensions: 37mm diameter Signed: Case, dial and movement signed Accessories: Accompanied by Omega Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch and its sale in Italy on July 16, 1938
Catalogue Essay
The present watch is an immensely attractive example of watchmaking from the late 1930s. Its sector dial, specifically, is not only an invaluable aesthetic addition but also fully representative of its era. In fact, sector dials were particularly popular for a short time in the second half of the 1930s, precisely matching the sale date of this watch. The one diversion from the taste of the time is its surprisingly large size: 37mm in that period was considered absolutely oversize, as normally wristwatches had a diameter size between 30 and 35 millimeters. This is a very lucky coincidence, as today the market demands much larger timepieces and 37mm is the perfect size for a vintage piece to maintain a distinct vintage vibe but at the same to be perfectly wearable and enjoyable today. The original sale location - Italy - adds a final layer of appeal and exoticism to this fine timepiece.
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.