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Omega Speedmaster Professional 'Missions Series' (Ref. 3597.05) "Gemini VII" Dial, 1998 — view 1 of 6
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Wristwatches · Wristwatch

Omega Speedmaster Professional 'Missions Series' (Ref. 3597.05) "Gemini VII" Dial, 1998

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Omega (maker)
Date
1998
Country of origin
Switzerland
Object type
Wristwatch
Stock no.
OMSPMPROMIS-2
Credit line
Dealer listing, Craft & Tailored (OMSPMPROMIS-2)
Catalogue title (original)
1998 OMEGA Speedmaster Professional 'Missions Series' (Ref. 3597.05) "Gemini VII" Dial W/ Box & Booklets (English)

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Record summary

Catalogued by Craft & Tailored (dealer), Los Angeles (stock number OMSPMPROMIS-2), this is a wristwatch by Omega, made in Switzerland, dated 1998. The Atlas places it in the Mechanical Renaissance period (1990 – 2010) of its Wristwatches collection. 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 — Craft & Tailored

The Omega Speedmaster Professional is one of our favorite chronographs. The Speedmaster has an incredible history starting with automotive racing, moving into flight, and eventually to NASA with the U.S. Space Program. There are many subtle differences within the vintage Omega Speedmaster range of references that make them all slightly unique and different. The Omega Speedmaster Mission watches were a limited production set that was introduced in 1997 in commemoration of every NASA space mission that included the Omega Speedmaster. These sets included 22 watches in a briefcase made of NASA spacesuit material, and each watch featured the respected mission patch they represented on the 9 o'clock sub-dial. Omega also released these Mission watches individually in a very limited series of 150 pieces for each Mission watch. The Omega Speedmaster Professional 'Missions' Gemini V Watch presented was part of Omega's individual release of these watches and is 1 of 150 models created for this limited run. Commemorating the Gemini VII mission with the NASA mission patch featured in the 9 o'clock sub-dial. The Gemini VII mission was the 4th manned Gemini mission and occurred on December 4th, 1965, with NASA astronauts James Lovell and Frank Borman. SPECS Stock # OMSPMPROMIS-2 Brand Omega Style Speedmaster Professional 'Missions Series' Model 3597.05 Serial 483XXXXX Size Men's Material Stainless Steel Dial Matte Black "Gemini VII" Millimeters 42 Bracelet Omega 1998 Bracelet W/ 849 End Pieces CASE & BRACELET The robust asymmetrical case is believed to remain unpolished, boasting extremely crisp factory finishing, angles, and dimensions with nominal signs of previous use present. The black tachymetre bezel is in virtually perfect condition. The case retains its original Omega signed crown and pump-pushers. The unpolished case back retains all of its original factory markings and black enamel, with signs of gentle use present. The original Omega 1499 bracelet with 842 end pieces retains 14 links that show no stretch and will fit up to a 6 3/4-inch wrist. DIAL & HANDS The matte black Gemini VII Missions dial is flawless, showing no aging or damage to the dial. The luminova lume plots have a slight green coloration. The original luminova hands match the dial and are in perfect condition. ACCESSORIES The watch comes with its original inner and outer boxes and booklets. The watch is running and functioning correctly, though the service history is unknown. A movement service can be purchased upon request.

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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