Omega - Racing Pulse New York Saturday, December 12, 2020 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Omega
    Year: Circa 1970
    Reference No: ST 165.024
    Movement No: 20’318’767
    Model Name: Seamaster 300
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 552, 24 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Nylon
    Dimensions: 42mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, and movement signed. Caseback engraved “0552/923 – 7697 – A/348/70”

  • Catalogue Essay

    Omega introduced the Seamaster 300 in 1957 as part of its “Professional” line of watches. Whilst the vast majority was produced for professional and recreational divers alike, a very small batch was made for military use from 1967 until approximately 1970, and custom designed by Omega to meet the needs of members of the British Royal Army and Navy.

    A number of special features set these military-issued watches apart from Omega’s regular production units. Their cases, with distinctive curved and beveled lugs, were delivered with fixed spring bars. Dials featured an encircled “T” designation, signifying the use of tritium for the luminous hour markers and hands. The broad, sword-shaped hour and minute hands, as well as the angular sweep seconds hand, were also specially designed. The crown was screw down as opposed to the snap down design as found on production versions. Their case backs were engraved by the British Ministry of Defense with the military branch code, issue number, and year of issue.

    As many were used in combat and on military deployments, very few have survived with all factory military features intact. We are therefore thrilled to offer this piece in its full “mil-spec” configuration. The dial is original to the watch, still fitted with what’s known as the “thin” encircled T. Most SM 300 dials were replaced during use, and can be found with “fat” encircled T’s that were reprinted by the MOD. The luminous hour markers have faded to a pale yellow, which match the hue of the luminous numerals on the original acrylic bezel.

  • 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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107

Ref. ST 165.024
A very rare and attractive stainless steel diver's wristwatch with center seconds, fixed spring bars and special military markings, made for the British Royal Navy

Circa 1970
42mm Diameter
Case, dial, and movement signed. Caseback engraved “0552/923 – 7697 – A/348/70”

Estimate
$30,000 - 60,000 
CHF27,500-55,000
€25,400-50,900
HK$233,000-465,000

Sold for $258,300

Contact Specialist

Paul Boutros
Head of Watches, Americas & International Strategy Advisor
Senior Vice President
+1 212 940 1293
pboutros@phillips.com

Racing Pulse

New York Auction 12 December 2020