Wristwatches · Wristwatch
Omega wristwatch, ref. 3220.50.00, Self-Winding Chronograph, circa 2008
- Maker / attribution
- Omega (brand / maker)
- Date
- c. 2008
- Historical period
- Mechanical Renaissance (1990 – 2010)
- Country of origin
- Switzerland
- Object type
- Wristwatch
- Materials / technique
- stainless steel
- Dimensions
- diameter 40 mm; length 175 mm. (approx.) mm
- Auction house
- Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva
- Lot
- Lot 356-1
- Credit line
- Auction lot record: LOT 1, Hong Kong,November 25-26, 2022
- Catalogue title (original)
- OMEGA REF. 3220.50.00, SELF-WINDING, CHRONOGRAPH, MINUTE AND HOUR COUNTERS, DATE, DAY, AM-PM INDICATION, BLACK DIAL; “SPEEDMASTER AUTOMATIC”; STAINLESS STEEL (English)
View the source record (auction lot) ↗ (opens another website in a new tab)Suggest a correction
Record summary
Catalogued by Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva (lot Lot 356-1), this is a wristwatch by Omega, made in Switzerland, dated c. 2008. The Atlas places it in the Mechanical Renaissance period (1990 – 2010) of its Wristwatches collection. Materials and techniques recorded by the source: stainless steel. Recorded dimensions: diameter 40 mm; length 175 mm. (approx.) mm. The record is illustrated with 3 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
Antiquorum catalogue description
Stainless steel, self-winding, “tonneau”-shaped, gentleman’s wristwatch, water-resistant with screwed case-back, stainless steel bezel with black insert, black dial with radial luminous indexes, black colour auxiliary dials, subsidiary seconds at 9 and seven horological complications:· 1/8 second chronograph (activated by the two round-shaped push-pieces located on the case-band) with tachometric scale graduated on the bezel for 500 units per hour· 30-minute counter (subsidiary dial at 12 o’clock)· 12-hour counter (subsidiary dial at 6 o’clock)· Half-instantaneous date of the month (exterior graduation with central index)· Day of the week (aperture at 11 o’clock; indication given in English)· Month of the year (aperture at 1 o’clock; indication given in English)· Diurnal (day-time) and nocturnal (night-time) hours with a 24-hour (AM-PM) scale (subsidiary dial at 9 o’clock)
Lot specifications (Antiquorum)
Model: “Speedmaster Automatic”; Reference: 3220.50.00; Movement No.: 84 528 712; Case No.: 84 528 712; Material: stainless steel; Bracelet: stainless steel Omega link bracelet with deployant clasp (Ref. 1564; end-links 975); Caliber: 3606 (based on ETA-Valjoux 7751); Diameter: 40 mm.; Length: 175 mm. (approx.); Signature: dial, case and movement; Accessories: guarantee-card (dated Japan, September 24, 2008)
Inscriptions & marks
dial, case and movement
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
Chronographs and split-seconds watches
A chronograph is a watch with an additional seconds hand that can be started, stopped and returned to zero independently of the timekeeping. Louis Moinet built an early example in 1816 and Nicolas Rieussec a recording 'chronographe' in 1821; Adolphe Nicole's heart-shaped reset cam (patented 1862) made the modern return-to-zero possible. Split-seconds (rattrapante) chronographs add a second hand that can be stopped for intermediate times; flyback chronographs restart instantly.
Chronographs were essential tools for doctors (pulsometer scales), artillery (telemeter), engineers and sport. In wristwatches, Valjoux, Venus, Lemania and later the automatic chronographs of 1969 (Zenith El Primero, the Chronomatic Calibre 11 group and Seiko 6139) are milestones.
What to look for
- Push-pieces on the case band or a single button in the crown (monopusher).
- Subsidiary registers for minutes and hours; tachymeter, telemeter or pulsometer scales.
- Column wheel versus cam control visible in the movement.
- Calibre markings of specialist makers (Valjoux, Lemania, Venus, Landeron).
Dating clues
- Pocket chronographs with heart cam reset: after 1862.
- Wrist chronographs: from c. 1910; two-button designs from the 1930s.
- Automatic chronographs: from 1969.
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.
Read next:Flyback chronographChronograph
Related records
Instruments · 1950–1976
Omega Megaquartz 2400 marine chronometer, 1950–1976
Science Museum Group, London
Instruments · 1960–1979
Stopwatch / timer by Omega, 1960–1979
Science Museum Group, London
Instruments · 1960–1979
Stopwatch / timer by Omega, Switzerland, 1960–1979
Science Museum Group, London
Instruments · 1960–1979
Stopwatch by Omega, Swiss made, single-button type reading 0 - 60 seconds in fifths and 0 - 5 minutes in minutes on subsidiary dial, 1960-79.
Science Museum Group, London
Wristwatches · 2008
Wristwatch by Breitling?, 2008
Museum Rotterdam
Wristwatches · c. 1990s
Audemars Piguet Bamboo, c. 1990s
Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva
Wristwatches · c. 1990
Audemars Piguet Huitieme Perpetual Calendar, ref. 25696PT, c. 1990
Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva
Wristwatches · c. 1990
Breitling Chronomat, ref. b13050.1, c. 1990
Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva