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Wristwatches · Wristwatch

Omega Renaissance 1894 In Platinum, 1994

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Omega (maker)
Date
1994
Country of origin
Switzerland
Object type
Wristwatch
Materials / technique
Platinum
Dimensions
Diameter 35.5 mm
Stock no.
CUR17
Credit line
Dealer listing, Watches of Knightsbridge (CUR17)
Catalogue title (original)
Omega Renaissance 1894 In Platinum (English)

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Record summary

Catalogued by Watches of Knightsbridge (dealer), London (stock number CUR17), this is a wristwatch by Omega, made in Switzerland, dated 1994. The Atlas places it in the Mechanical Renaissance period (1990 – 2010) of its Wristwatches collection. Materials and techniques recorded by the source: Platinum. Recorded dimensions: Diameter 35.5 mm. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.

Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.

Catalogue description

Dealer description — Watches of Knightsbridge

Omega is, without question, are one of the few true powerhouses of the Swiss watch industry and in 1994, the brand celebrated its 100th anniversary. To commemorate this occasion, Omega released a series of special timepieces named the “1894”. These classic dress watches are powered by a semi-vintage hand-wound calibre 269 movement, which is visible through the sapphire exhibition case back. This movement is from an unused batch of 1960s movements, but not just any batch. The cal. 269 is held in high regard by connoisseurs and watchmakers alike, so much so that Omega decided to use it for this special limited edition watch. It is from the same family of 30mm movements as the cal. 30T2 which not only was used for the WW2 Omega British Military watches, specifically the “Dirty Dozen”, but also used as a commercially made high grade chronometer movement during the 1940s which this watch is inspired by, the original cal. 30T2Rg. The Omega Renaissance 1894 came in various metals and all featured brilliant vintage inspired sector dial designs with crosshair printing, applied Roman numerals, oversized subsidiary seconds, and feuille hands. This particular example is the rarest being made in platinum and only 100 pieces produced. It features a stunning two tone silver dial, with black print. The case measures a classic 35.5mm in diameter and is in a great, original, unpolished state, with some light scratches from occasional use. It comes on its original burgundy alligator strap, with 18-carat white-gold pin buckle. While this watch may be contemporary, it certainly ticks all the right boxes for any discerning collector of vintage timepieces.

Specifications — Watches of Knightsbridge

Reference: 5960.60.02; Metal: Platinum; Movement: Manual-Wind Calibre 269; Case diameter: 35.5mm; Bracelet/strap: Omega Leather Alligator w/ 18K White-Gold Pin Buckle

Historical context

Mechanical Renaissance (1990 – 2010)

Mechanical watches return as cultural objects; independent watchmaking flourishes.

Mechanical watches returned as cultural and luxury objects. Complications, tourbillons and new materials proliferated; independent watchmakers such as George Daniels, F.P. Journe and Philippe Dufour revived artisanal watchmaking; collecting vintage watches became a major field.

Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Quartz Revolution

Atlas type guide

Wristwatches

Bracelet watches were worn by women from the early nineteenth century — Breguet made one for Caroline Murat, Queen of Naples, in 1810–12 — but the wristwatch only became a man's instrument with military use and aviation in the early twentieth century. Between the World Wars it overtook the pocket watch; the 1920s and 1930s brought rectangular Art Deco cases, water-resistant cases and the first automatic winding systems.

After 1945 the wristwatch became a carrier of identity — dress watches, sports and dive watches, chronographs, calendars — produced by Swiss, American, Japanese, German, Soviet and Chinese industries. The quartz revolution after 1969 and the mechanical renaissance since the 1990s, including the rise of independent watchmakers, complete the story.

What to look for

  • The reference number (between the lugs or inside the case back) and serial number, the starting point for dating.
  • The calibre: its maker and number are often stamped under the dial or on the bridge.
  • Originality of dial, hands and crown — refinished ('redial') dials are common.
  • Case material marks: 18K/750, 14K/585, stainless steel, gold-filled, plated.

Dating clues

  • Wire-lug cases: before c. 1925.
  • Water-resistant screw-down cases: from 1926.
  • Quartz movements: from 1969; sapphire crystals widespread after c. 1980.

General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.

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