1961 Omega Seamaster 'De Luxe' Automatic Waterproof - Solid 18k Y Gold + Box - Ref. 2802 SC
A fine and legendary early Omega Seamaster Automatic.
WHY IS THIS WATCH SPECIAL
The first Omega Seamaster was modeled after the waterproof wristwatches made for and worn by the British military during World War II. This particular example has the pressed caseback that guarantees a resistance to humidity and doesn't features yet the seahorse (Later models had a snap-on caseback and a seahorse engraved). The well preserved case houses the high quality 471 Omega automatic caliber The 471 is actually one of the most accurate movements.
The condition of this timepiece is quite exceptionnal, 63 years after it's manufacturing, the dial is still near to mint.
THE STORY
Omega's rich history begins with its founder, Louis Brandt, who established the firm in 1848 in La Chax de Fonds. In 1903, the company changed it's name to Omega, becoming the only watch brand in history to have been named after one its own movements. A full-fledged manufacturer of highly accurate, affordable and reliable watches, its sterling reputation enabled them to be chosen as the first watch company to time the Olympic Games beginning in 1932. Its continued focus on precision and reliability ultimately led their Speedmaster chronograph to be chosen by the NASA in 1965, the first watch worn on the moon.
The first Omega Seamaster was modeled after the waterproof wristwatches made for and worn by the British military during World War II. What distinguished the Seamaster from its diving watch predecessors was its O-ring gasket which improved its water-resistance. Previously water-resistant watches relied on lead or shellac gaskets which were easily affected by temperature changes like those a diver would experience at various depths. Omega turned to the submarines used during WWII for inspiration and included a resilient rubber gasket in the Seamaster’s final design. This new case remained intact at depths up to 60 meters and temperature ranges between -40 degrees and 50 degrees Celsius.
Omega engineers was so confident of the Seamaster’s durability, they attached one to the outside of an aircraft and flew it over the North Pole in 1956.
The Seamaster was a watch for customers who wanted something for town, sea and country and took inspiration from the watches Omega produced for the British military in World War II. These 'watch wristlet waterproof' or w.w.w watches were more utilitarian in design than the first Seamasters but the basic elements remained the same: Solid case construction, legible dials and a world class movement inside. The tradition of Seamaster dress watches continued throughout the 1940s all the way to present day.
The Omega Seamaster received a major boon when it was selected as the James Bond watch. Although James Bond’s author Ian Flemming included a Rolex watch in his novel and even wore a Rolex himself, Omega pushed Rolex out of the film as the costume designer noted Omega was more historically relevant to the British Royal Navy and, in turn, the James Bond character. Therefore, Pierce Brosnan’s James Bond wore an Omega Quartz Seamaster Professional 300 in the film Golden Eye in 1995. For the next three Bond films, Brosnan sported the Omega Seamaster Automatic Chronometer in Tomorrow Never Dies (1997), The World is Not Enough (1999) and Die Another Day (2002).
When actor Daniel Craig was cast as the next James Bond for 2006's Casino Royale, he wore an Omega Seamaster. Craig donned a Seamaster again for Quantum of Solace (2008) and a Seamaster for Skyfall (2012). In celebration of the 24th Bond film, Spectre (2015), and a 20 year-long partnership with the Bond franchise, Omega released the special edition Seamaster Spectre which harkened back to the original Bond Seamaster.
THE DATA
- Maker: Omega
- Model: Seamaster Automatic 'Patent Applied'
- Reference: 2802 SC
- Year: 1961
- Material: Solid 18k Yellow Gold
- Dimentions (WxHxT): 33x41x11mm
- Caliber: In House Omega 471
- Bracelet/Strap: Black leather
- Lug width: 18mm
- Box/Papers: Original Omega box from 1961
THE IMPORTANT DETAILS
This watch is in exceptionally good condition for its age. The case is very well preserved and unpolished , the original 'Two-Tone' dial with applied gold indexes and 'Dauphine' faceted hands looks absolutely dashing. This is a fine high-quality classic vintage timepiece, elegant and with a presence on the wrist, perfect for everyday wear and formal events.
