http://www.ebay.com/itm/OMEGA-FIFA-...z%2BrSnU7uZoBMhdDq6js%3D&orig_cvip=true&rt=ncPurchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network I remember reading about this reference on Chuck Maddox's site years ago but I figured the were too uncommon to appear on eBay, the this one popped up, condition is on the rough side and $6,000 was more than I was willing to pay but its a fascinating watch none the less, and an interesting auction price point of reference
The case is totally vulgar and 1970s, but its more that you just don't see them around much, not sure about the specifics but my understanding is they were not officially sold to the public and only made in small numbers, hence the price
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! I mean, GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAL! The case is heavy, clunky, and funky (I've got two left from three total) but the dial and bezel are mega! But €4.6k? I paid €0.6k for this and it is much rarer: How many people can say they are wearing a Lemania Valljoux?
I did not sleep either... after I snagged this one. Even Chuck took a while to find his, considering a very limited number and not issued to the general public. Apparently the last time it was on the market was 2 years ago. This is most likely the closest I could ever get to a prototype of anything Omega!
Sounds like what I used to say ten years ago. Then it happened... That's a fantastic looking watch. I confess the Speedy 125, the TV 176.014 and the 176.012 are among my favorite Omega chronographs. I love the Genta designs for AP (Royal Oak) and Patek (Nautilus). Viva Los 70's! And the FIFA is the only dial that makes me laugh like "Beavis and Butthead" (check out the two big balls and the minute hand heh heh).
Aaaaah.............This would be the subtle 'FIFA Business Model' Design Initially introduced in the 70's, but still current. Always available to buy, if you know the right people, & for enough money. You may experience considerable difficulty, in seeing inside it Did it arrive in a reciprocal 'brown envelope' ?
Perhaps well known, perhaps not............. the FIFA watch is an evolution of one of the Omega NASA prototypes under Alaska III. Omega send 18 Speedsonics and 18 Speedmaster cal 1040/1045's to NASA in 1977/78 for testing when NASA came round to rectifying the moonwatch. The Speedsonic variations had standard F300 Speedonic movements in them (without the serial plate I believe), the dials were not Swiss Made Radial dials (at NASA's request) and the cases made by Star in the USA, 18 pieces were delivered, one is currently on show in Bienne. The 11003 versions where fitted for the most part with standard 1045 movements and were a mixture of non swiss branded radial dials and standard Speedmaster 1045 dials (the one at the museum is a standard dial), the cases were 11003, the NASA ones were again Star made but there were also a number of prototypes which came out of the factory with Swiss made 11003 cases! Ultimately both watches passed all of the NASA tests but were not picked up by NASA, who chose to continue with the faithful 145.002 and order 54 (I believe) or there about 145.002's with Radial dials! http://omegaforums.net/threads/visit-to-omega-museum-part-d-space-and-flight.6533/ After the watches were not picked up by NASA Omega produced the 11003-2 'FIFA' the following year, interestingly they never continued with either a Radial Dial Speedsonic (which is a shame as that dial is really cool) or a Speedmaster professional in the 11003 case Anyway, non the less nice watches