Omega - STYLED. Timeless Watches & How to Wear Them New York Wednesday, December 5, 2018 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Omega
    Year: 1943
    Reference No: CK 2077
    Movement No: 9'392'824
    Case No: 10'123'440
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 33.3 CHRO, 17 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel "beads-of-rice" bracelet
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel
    Dimensions: 38mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, and movement signed.
    Accessories: Accompanied by Omega Extract from the Archives confirming production of this watch on November 29th, 1943, and its subsequent delivery to South America.
    Literature: For a similar Omega reference CK 2077 with caliber 33.3 CHRO and stainless steel case with downturned lugs, see John Goldberger’s Omega Sportswatches, pp. 22-23

  • Catalogue Essay

    For many watch enthusiasts, their passion centers on the watch movement with the rest being window dressing. Whatever one’s preference may be, the movement is the literal heart of the watch, and the driving force for precision timekeeping. Many collectors have his or her definitive favorites, for reasons varying from the finishing, complexity, simplicity, or accuracy. Movements are beautiful, and there really is nothing quite like opening a watch to see the mechanism within.

    Omega’s manual-winding caliber 33.3 CHRO is an icon amongst collectors. It was launched in 1933, originally as a monopusher chronograph, however by the late 1930s, the brand redesigned it, and used the movement in some of their finest two pusher chronographs. In 1937, the caliber was fitted into Omega’s first water resistant chronograph watch – the reference CK 2077, a model that can be considered a turning point in the firm’s history. The present timepiece is a wonderful, early example of these water-resistant chronographs. Featuring an oversized, 38.5mm diameter case with screw-down caseback, it must be viewed as an early, multi-purpose tool watch with its multi-scale dial and robust, highly water resistant case construction. The hands and numerals are luminous, allowing for legibility in low-light conditions, and the dial features a pulsation, tachymeter, and telemeter track.

    The present CK 2077 stands apart due to its exceptional condition in all aspects: case, dial, and movement. The sculpted, downturned lugs are extremely thick, having never been near a polishing wheel, with the original factory finishing present throughout, as crisp as it left the factory some 80 years ago. The dial is absolutely charismatic, with a mirrored hour track contrasting beautifully with the still-vivid red, blue, and black colored scales. On top of it all, the highly oversized (for the time) case allows for these many elements to exist harmoniously on the dial. This chronograph is ideal for the passionate collector who values form and function as equal partners.

  • 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.

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98

Ref. CK 2077
A highly attractive, oversized, and very rare stainless steel multi-scale chronograph wristwatch with two-tone silver dial, and luminous numerals and hands

1943
38mm Diameter
Case, dial, and movement signed.

Estimate
$50,000 - 100,000 
CHF49,800-99,700
€43,400-86,900
HK$392,000-784,000

Sold for $81,250

Contact Specialist
Paul Boutros
Head of Watches, Americas
+1 212 940 1293
pboutros@phillips.com

STYLED. Timeless Watches & How to Wear Them

New York Auction 5 December 2018