Tag Archives: 3876.50.31

A quick walk through Antiquorum’s Hong Kong 22 February Auction

Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonphase 145.0022 [sic]

Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonphase 145.0022 [sic]

In the last decade, watch auctions have changed from relatively obscure places where retail vintage dealers bought their stock, to well-documented happenings where dealers and private individuals bid alike.

Besides the thrill of live auctions and opportunity to buy rare pieces, the auction houses also serve another purpose: their archives often contain high quality pictures of rare watches and the results can give you an estimate of the market value of certain pieces. Granted – the aforementioned thrill of an auction, plus commissions may make for quite a mark-up from ‘street value’, but still..

So, are you ready to check out some recent results from Antiquorum’s Februari 22nd Hong Kong auction?

First up is lot #1: the Speedmaster Professional Moonphase. The lot went unsold, but is was labelled incorrectly as a 145.0022 (more likely a ST-345.0809) and the dial was listed as ‘reprinted’, which explains the somewhat crooked layout.

Omega Speedmaster Teutonic 145.0040

Omega Speedmaster Teutonic 145.0040

Next Speedmaster in this auction is the so-called Teutonic with it’s signature smooth eighties styling. Somewhat of an acquired taste, but quite unique and undervalued. In fact, it’s the cheapest way to get an 861 Speedy! This example with silver dial was sold right in the middle of its estimate at 12.500 HKD (USD 1.650, CHF 1.500).

Omega Flightmaster Speedmaster X-33 Prototype

Omega Flightmaster Speedmaster X-33 Prototype

Now here’s a rare one: lot 46, the Omega Flightmaster / Speedmaster X-33 Prototype second generation.

Food for thought: this watch uses a Seamaster-type case, bears the Flightmaster name and would eventually evolve into a Speedmaster – the X-33 nonetheless, an astronaut’s favourite ’till this very day. Omega history in a nutshell!

This lot was sold for 137.500 HKD or approx. 18.000 USD / 16.000 CHF.

Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonphase 3576.50.00

Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonphase 3576.50.00 [sic]

We’ll conclude this post with a modern counterpart of the Speedmaster Moonphase posted above: lot 50, the Speedmaster Professional Moonphase 3876.50.31 (listed as 3576.50.00, the bracelet model).

One might note the subtle changes compared to the vintage model; the flatter dial, now with rings around the subdials, the updated Swiss-designation at 6:00 and various other subtle differences. Rarely seen, this model is a great choice for Speedmaster-aficionados looking for something a bit different.

Still available to day (check out the brand new models at our friends over at Ace Jewelers), the watch sold for 23.750 HKD (approx. USD 3.100 / CHF 2.800).

Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonphase

Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonphase 3876.50.31

Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonphase 3876.50.31

There is only one watch in the world for which a moon phase indicator can stand as an analogy of its history: the OMEGA Speedmaster Professional. As the only chronograph to be flight-qualified by NASA for manned space missions, it is the only watch ever to have been worn on the Moon. Today, over 30 years later, the Speedmaster remains a legend in watchmaking, its popularity unwavering amongst aficionados of classic timepieces.

April 4th 2003 – read more below the gallery

The Speedmaster Professional Moon Phase retains the essential characteristics of the original Speedmaster models, such as the stainless steel case with tapered, facetted lugs and the stainless steel bezel with black aluminium ring and tachometer scale for calculating speeds or other units per hour. The black dial, with luminous hour markers and hands, is also typical of the Speedmaster Professional, as are the chronograph counters at 3 o’clock and 6 o’clock and the continuous small seconds display are 9 o’clock. It is the presence of an additional sub-dial in the 12 o’clock position, however, that sets this watch apart from the standard Speedmaster Professional: it contains a moon phase display, with a silver moon in relief against a sky blue background and an additional hand which points to the date around the circumference of the moon phase sub-dial. As an extra touch of refinement, the classic Speedmaster Professional look is complemented by rhodium-plated steel rings surrounding the chronograph and small seconds counters.

The OMEGA calibre 1866 movement provides the functions for this Speedmaster and, like the original Speedmaster Professional movement, it is a hand-wound chronograph calibre. In addition to the chronograph function, which records elapsed times with an accuracy of 1/5th of a second, this movement can also display the date and the Moon’s 28-day cycle. It has a 45-hour power reserve and its elegant, rhodium-plated finish can be admired behind the transparent sapphire crystal on the case back. Surrounding the movement on the screw-in case back, which ensures water resistance to 50 metres, is an inscription that recalls the Speedmaster Professional’s heritage: “THE FIRST AND ONLY WATCH WORN ON THE MOON”. The OMEGA Speedmaster Professional Moon Phase is available with a matching stainless steel bracelet with safety fastening clasp or a black alligator leather strap with stainless steel foldover clasp.