Next up, a bit more standard fare with the limited edition Speedy 125 (gavel price of $3,600).

Because these, unlike the prototypes noted above, are available on the market, this is the first instance where some pricing observations can be made.

On the one hand, the gavel price of $3,600 is toward the high end of what a good example can be found for on the open market, and the all-in auction price+fees of $4,500 is certainly a premium.

On the other hand, this particular watch is unique in respect of its history and provenance. Christie's reports this to be the example photographed in AJTT, it comes with some incredible back up and materials (extract from the archives, box and papers, etc.), and now it's "the example sold at Christie's Speedmaster 50 event."

For my money, given the above, I'd say this watch actually went for quite cheap - especially given that only 2000 were ever produced (and also my bias that these cal.104X family watches are currently under appreciated generally).

If anyone knows where this watch went, please congratulate them for me, and as them to PM me!

 

Finally, perhaps the most standard fare of the auction (though still not exactly run-of-the-mill), this in my opinion was a real value-buy.

With a gavel price of $2,800, which is around where at the moment a good example of these may be had in the open market (give or take), even the all-in auction+fees price of $3,500 is arguably a great buy - particularly given the provenance provided along with this watch. This particular example was owned by Christie's, comes with an extract from the archives, and - here again - is now "the example sold at the Christie's Speedmaster 50's event."

For those seeking interesting Speedmaster examples (in this case, a 'Mark' example with the cal.1040, pilot line case, etc.), or those seeking interesting cal.104X examples, it's now a very unique piece of an otherwise already uncommon watch.

 

As a final note on the reporting of the Christie's auction results, it is now known that the Omega museum has a representative at the auction purchasing several examples - including a Ron Evans flight-worn speedy that took the top value prize. Those in attendance have also suggested that the same representative purchased a set of two prototype digital/Quartz Speedmasters (at a real premium).

Perhaps others in attendance or in the know will chime in on whether any of the watches described above were also possibly taken by the Omega museum (especially the two prototypes).

For more feedback and discussion about the auction results and prices, see this thread: https://omegaforums.net/threads/christies-speedmaster-50-auction-results.32927/

 

P.S.

DIBS

 

unfortunately the right dial in the wrong case....

 

It must be embarrassing for you to wear that thing around - it doesn't even have red hands.

 

I would have loved to win that ref 11000 prototype, but it got away from me so quickly! It was very nice in hand.

 

The FIFA is the other watch with this configuration, also made about the same time.

 

One of these days you'll drill that FIFA reference into my head!

 

I love those cal. 1045 prototypes, especially the case on lot 27. Did Omega use that case on anything else, maybe on a hummer?

 

None I know of.

When NASA bailed on the Alaska project, Omega had sunk a ton of money into case design techniques and machinery, and development of the first ever titanium case (for temperature reasons). To defray costs the directed those efforts toward a new line of Speedmasters - the 'Mark' series. I'm sure that during this period of time they carved a good many designs we've never seen in production.

 

Omega did not, but Lemania made quite a few with same or similar design (pics from internet).

PS: One could easily create an Omega prototype out of them, I suppose.

 

Guess what I bought on auction today?

 

My 176.007

 

Just now found this thread. It is nothing short of amazing, especially the OP. Thanks for all your hard work. I love my 176.007s!

 

Thank you - I'm ultimately unsure that this is a "review" in the sense of the word used in the other "reviews" wall, but the moderators moved it here presumably based on the word "review" used in the title of the original post. Glad you found it anyway!

 

For more on the cal.1045 prototype ref 176.0017, see:

http://chuckmaddoxwatch.blogspot.com/2005/11/mystery-of-1760017-resolved.html?m=1

 

My 176.007

 

https://omegaforums.net/threads/omega-seamaster-176-007-cal-1040-back-from-restoration.37808/