Omega Speedmaster Split-Seconds 2002

Omega Watches

Since the company was founded in 1848, Omega has pioneered a huge range of innovations. Britain’s Royal Flying Corps chose Omega watches in 1917 as official timekeepers for its pilots and again in 1940, RAF Pilots watches were supplied by Omega. The 1940s also saw the first tourbillon wristwatch and the first of the famous Seamaster watches, whilst the 1950s and ’60s introduced the legendary Constellation, Speedmaster, Seamaster 300 and Railmaster. Over these years, everyone from John F. Kennedy to Elvis wore Omega watches on official duties. What’s more, in 1962, astronaut Wally Schirra took his Omega Speedmaster into space on NASA’s Mercury Sigma 7 mission and in 1969 two Speedmasters landed on the moon, worn by Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin.

Omega was a pioneer of the wristwatch chronograph, releasing its first model, the 18′ CHRO, in 1913 making this one of the very first wrist-worn chronographs ever produced. These were sold as military watches with some of the first going to Britain’s Royal Flying Corps and used by some of the most famous wartime pilots and military personnel. Omega recently re-issued a heritage edition of this chronograph which has generated considerable interest in all of its original early chronograph models.

In 1930, Omega and Tissot merged, with the aim of marketing high-quality Swiss watches. Omega would maintain its position in the medium-high luxury segment and Tissot would target the medium market. Subsequently, in 1932 the company bought Lemania, a Swiss company specialising in the manufacture of high-quality chronograph movements, founded in 1884.

The Calibre 33.3 movement followed, designated 13CH by its manufacturer Lemania. It is a column-wheel movement, which was very advanced for the period and highly accurate and reliable. Later evolutions of this movement included the 33.3 CHRO T1, T2 – T6, becoming the Omega 170 in 1949, and the Omega 171. Such was the complexity and expense of this movement that only 13,700 were produced between 1933 to 1952.

A development of the Cal. 33.3, the Cal.15TL two-pusher chronograph movement is notable as the most long-lived Lemania movement and its first movement with a flyback function. This was adopted by military forces around the world from Czechoslovakia, Rhodesia, the British Royal Air Force, the French Air Force (Auricoste Type 20), the Swedish Air Force, the South African Air Force, the South African Air Force, the Royal Canadian Air Force etc.

In 1942 the Calibre 15TL movement was further improved to offer anti-shock and anti-magnetic properties. A new version for water-resistant chronographs spun off in 1949 before the end of production of the movement in 1952. In parallel, in 1949 and after a number of modifications to these predecessor movements, the Lemania Cal.27 was born. This calibre is known under a far more famous name: The Omega Cal.321. This was, of course, the movement used in the 1960s Speedmaster, chosen by early Gemini and Apollo astronauts and later adopted by NASA for use on the Apollo moon missions.

Description

In 1957, Omega were on a mission to create a robust chronograph that would be waterproof, easy to read, easy to use, and exceedingly precise. As a result, the OMEGA Speedmaster was launched and became particularly notable for being the first watch in the world to feature a tachymeter scale on its bezel.

Icon is a somewhat overused term these days, but the Omega Speedmaster is certainly one of the most famous, if not the most famous, chronographs ever produced. Everyone knows through Omega’s marketing, this is the watch which went to the moon, however the Speedmaster was not originally designed for space exploration. Instead, it was introduced in 1957 as a sport and racing chronograph following on from the early chronographs of the 1920s and 1930s.

The example you see here is fully original, unrestored and untouched and comes complete with the original box and full set of papers. This watch carries the super high grade calibre 3600A, 28 jewel automatic movement that is in sparkling condition.

The Dial

The main model Omega Speedmaster dial has remained pretty much unchanged since the first watch went into space 60 years ago. Such is the dial you see here, born for functionality, legibility, and nothing else. This outstanding carbon fibre dial is completely original unrestored and untouched and is in tip-top condition.

During the operation of the chronograph, the top register measures elapsed minutes up to 30 minutes while the bottom register measures elapsed hours, up to 12. The left-hand register counts constant running seconds, independent of the chronograph function. The outer seconds register is divided into fifths of a second, providing a more technical look.

The Speedmaster Split Seconds combines the classic Speedmaster styling with an advanced mechanical chronograph movement that allows users to measure two elapsed times simultaneously. This makes it a highly capable and versatile sports/tool watch favored by racing drivers, pilots, and other professionals who need precise time measurement capabilities.

The dial carries the Omega brand and signature and is also signed ‘Speedmaster’ and ‘Automatic Chronometer’.

Usually, we restore the dials of the watches we sell, however, we decided in this case, due to its unique condition, to retain its originality and charm for the many collectors who prefer this. This watch has a clean original dial with a very even patina. It also helps to contrast with almost all of the other watch dials you see on our website, which have been restored.

Please note, studio lights, professional-grade digital cameras, and macro lenses can be very unkind to an unrestored vintage watch dial. Also the dial here measures less than 1.25 inches across, so the image you see here may be between 5 – 25 times larger than the watch itself. Therefore please keep in mind you are seeing many tiny flaws which cannot be seen, or will be very hard to see with the naked eye, even under close examination. Suffice to say, on the wrist, in natural light, this dial looks much better and carries a great deal more charm than the photographs portray.

The Movement

This incredible watch carries the super high grade caliber 3600A, 28 jewel automatic chronometer movement, which remains in outstanding condition. The calibe 3600A movement was particularly notable for its high beat rate of 36,000 vph, which allowed for more precise chronograph timing.

It is in tip-top condition having been overhauled and serviced by our vintage chronograph specialist watchmaker. This means it has been completely disassembled to all its component parts, carefully inspected under high magnification, replacement where necessary with only genuine Omega parts before careful reassembly and adjustment and calibration. The watch winds, sets and runs perfectly accurately and reliably and at the time of testing, immediately following its service, the test results were within +2 seconds per day. This is truly outstanding for any watch of this age and has been confirmed on our electronic watch timegrapher. The movement also has an exceptional power reserve of 48 hours.

The round waterproof pushers operate positively. In keeping with modern convention, the top chronograph button is used to start and stop the operation of the chronograph while the bottom button is used to reset it to zero. As with all chronographs, it is not recommended to leave the chronograph function running unnecessarily when this is not in use. This is because it causes unnecessary wear of the chronograph movement, which runs separately to the normal time-keeping section of the movement. This is of particular importance with vintage chronograph movements.

The movement is correctly signed ‘Omega 3600’ ‘28 Jewels’, and carries the Calibre 3600, along with the serial number 60093808 which dates its manufacture to 2002.

*Please note – our 12 months’ warranty is only applicable if the list price is paid.

The Case

The heavy Omega Swiss made-case is of exceedingly high quality with a muscular profile and lugs. All the lines and edges are well defined, indicating the watch has been very well cared for and never overpolished. This watch weighs an outstanding 194.5 grams

The watch is complete with its original Omega signed crown. The case measures 42mm in diameter, excluding the crown and pushers. This is an Omega snap-back case and of a very robust design which makes this watch ready for any task including sports use, should you so wish.

Inside the case-back is signed ‘Omega Watch Co.’, ‘Fab Suisse’ and ‘Swiss Made’, along with the case reference number 35405000 and the case serial number 60093808.

As ever, our standard advice applies: Vintage watches should be kept clean and dry at all times.

The Bracelet

The original Omega Speedmster Professional stainless steel bracelet is absolutely perfect. This bracelet is of full length including 16 links. The bracelet is correctly signed with Omega Speedmaster Professional.

Box and Papers

This watch comes complete with all the original paperwork and booklets dating the watch correctly to 2002.

Detailed particulars will be included with our purchase receipt for your interest and security. A separate insurance valuation for the replacement value of this watch will be provided at the time of sale along with our unique ‘Lifetime Authenticity Guarantee’ which states: “If this watch proves to be anything less than 100% genuine, authentic and original, a full refund will be given at any time”.

This watch comes complete with the original Omega presentation box as shown in the photographs

Payment and Delivery

If you would like to pay by bank transfer, we will be pleased to assist you with this and pass on a 3% saving to you. Paying by bank transfer for a 3% saving will not affect your 12 months warranty. Similarly, if you wish to pay by International SWIFT or Bank Wire Transfer we will provide you with our BIC / Swift number and our IBAN number.

Please check the import duties and any taxes your government may apply, these are different for each country and, unfortunately, out of our control.

We understand there may be some ‘loopholes’ that may help you avoid these charges; however, attempting to use these could impact our ongoing ability to serve our growing international customer base.

For those who happen to visit London on occasion, we are, of course, more than happy to store your watch until we can meet you in our offices in Kensington, London, and hand your watch directly to you there.

As with all our watches, this watch will be sold under our 14 days no-quibble sale or return policy.