99th Auction
2019/5/11
Lot 109
Omega "Speedmaster Automatic", Movement No. 48233021, Ref. ST376.0822, Cal. 1045, 42 mm, circa 1987
An extremely rare automatic vintage "cult" wristwatch with chronograph, 12h counter, indicators for date and the weekdays in German writing and 24h indicator, so called "HOLY GRAIL", sold on September 22nd, 1988. With original box, original certificate, operating instructions and original sales receipt - "Full Set!"
Case: steel, screw back, tachy bezel (later original), "Omega" steel bracelet and deployant clasp ref. 1469, endlinks stamped 809, bracelet length 140 mm, total length 205 mm. Dial: black, type 1.
The Omega Speedmaster reference 376.0822 was given its nickname "Holy Grail" by the renowned collector Chuck Maddox, who was probably the most famous collector of his time. The rarity of this timepiece and Maddox’s lengthy search for it made him call this watch his holy grail of watches. Despite the fact that supposedly only 2,000 examples of this model were produced over two years (1987-1988), a large number of the watches that are on the market are variations of the original model.
As the production was discontinued in 1988, it is likely that most of these watches were revised in the mid 1990s, when the only available replacement bezel was the B4 (which was used for this watch). It differs from the original B2 bezel in the serif of the numeral "7", which is present in the original bezel.
The Omega calibre 1045 is identical to the Lemania calibre 5100 and was used by a number of other chronograph makers too. Omega improved the Lemania movement and signed the with its company name and logo.
An extremely rare automatic vintage "cult" wristwatch with chronograph, 12h counter, indicators for date and the weekdays in German writing and 24h indicator, so called "HOLY GRAIL", sold on September 22nd, 1988. With original box, original certificate, operating instructions and original sales receipt - "Full Set!"
Case: steel, screw back, tachy bezel (later original), "Omega" steel bracelet and deployant clasp ref. 1469, endlinks stamped 809, bracelet length 140 mm, total length 205 mm. Dial: black, type 1.
The Omega Speedmaster reference 376.0822 was given its nickname "Holy Grail" by the renowned collector Chuck Maddox, who was probably the most famous collector of his time. The rarity of this timepiece and Maddox’s lengthy search for it made him call this watch his holy grail of watches. Despite the fact that supposedly only 2,000 examples of this model were produced over two years (1987-1988), a large number of the watches that are on the market are variations of the original model.
As the production was discontinued in 1988, it is likely that most of these watches were revised in the mid 1990s, when the only available replacement bezel was the B4 (which was used for this watch). It differs from the original B2 bezel in the serif of the numeral "7", which is present in the original bezel.
The Omega calibre 1045 is identical to the Lemania calibre 5100 and was used by a number of other chronograph makers too. Omega improved the Lemania movement and signed the with its company name and logo.
Sold
estimated
10.000—15.000 €
Price realized
15.000 €