1957 Omega Speedmaster Sets a New Record at Philips Watch Auction
The most-successful record-breaking watch auction ever
Philips joined hands with Bacs and Russo to host the record-breaking Geneva Watch Auction: XIV. It featured 249 most interesting and rare watches that were ever made. All of them were sold for a total of AU$ 101.1 million. It is the highest result ever achieved at a watch auction. The auction had more than 2300 online and 400 bidders offline. The Philippe Dufour Grande & Petite Sonnerie #1 and Omega Speedmaster were some of the show stealers.
The best performing lot was Philippe Dufour Grande & Petite Sonnerie #1 in yellow gold, fetching AU$ 7.04 million. Another was FP Journe Chronomètre à resonance “Souscription” N1 in platinum and pink gold that fetched AU$ 5.8 million, a Philippe Dufour Duality N8 in pink gold, which got AU$5.4 million, and an Omega Speedmaster “Broad Arrow” Ref. 2915-1.
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The Omega Speedmaster “Broad Arrow” Ref. 2915-1 broke the record for the highest price ever paid for an Omega watch. It was sold for CHF 3,115,500 or (about AU$4.6 million).
The Omega Speedmaster has a special place in all watch lovers’ minds and hearts as it has a rich history and worthy cultural significance. It has been worn by top car drivers, astronauts, and engineers since 1957. The unique Omega Speedmaster sold at the Philips auction has been described as Omega’s “most historically important model.” According to the auction house, this watch is considered by collectors as ‘the grail.’
Describing it, Philips wrote, “In terms of design, it was the first chronograph to feature a tachymeter scale (or, as Omega called it at the time, the Tacho-productometer scale) on the bezel, rather than on the dial. In terms of movements, Omega did not go for a brand-new calibre, turning instead to calibre 321, an extremely robust and reliable column-wheel chronograph, which is recognized as the best available option for its new Speedmaster.”
Before the sale of Omega Speedmaster, Philips had anticipated that it would be sold for about
80,000 and 120,000 CHF, but its price went beyond anyone’s imagination. Even Omega didn’t imagine it.
1957 Omega Speedmaster
The Technical specs of the 1957 Omega Speedmaster CK2915-1
Manufacturer: Omega
Year: 1957
Reference No: 2915-1
Movement No: 15’500’006
Model Name: Speedmaster “Broad Arrow”
Material: Stainless steel
Calibre: Manual, cal. 321, 17 jewels
Bracelet/Strap: Leather
Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Omega pin buckle
Dimensions: 38mm Diameter
Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
Accessories: Accompanied by Omega Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch on November 22, 1957 and original product literature.
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