Omega Flightmaster: Rare 18ct Gold Chronograph Wristwatch

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Omega Flightmaster ref 345 801 A large and rare 18ct gold two time zone chronograph wristwatch with registers and bracelet, circa 1971 Dial: gilt, baton faceted indexes, luminescent baton hands, blue airplane hand indicating secondary time zone, orange hand for chronograph, three subsidiary dials for constant seconds, 12-hour and 30-minute registers, revolving outer ring with Arabic numerals, winding crown at 3 o'clock for time setting, setting at 8 o'clock for revolving inner bezel, crown at 10 o'clock for second time zone Calibre: cal. 910 manual winding movement, 17 jewels Movement number: 31631047 Case: 18ct yellow gold 'helmet' form, revolving outer ring with Arabic numerals, screw-back engraved flightmaster and airplane Case number: 345.801 145.013 Closure: 18ct gold Omega bracelet with folding clasp, stamped 345.0801 Dimensions: 43 mm diameter, bracelet circumference approximately 165 mm Signed: case, dial and movement Accessories: Omega guarantee with reference number 345801, movement number 31631017, dated 10 August 1972, Kollection 1971/72 pricelist and presentation box, the Flightmaster in gold is amongst the rarest watches ever made by Omega., the ultimate 'tool watch', the Flightmaster was introduced in 1969, the same year as Omega's celebrated Speedmaster - unquestionably one of the most popular models ever made by the watchmaker. Possibly overshadowed by the Speedmaster at the time, the Flightmaster has come to achieve an iconic status in its own right. Advertised at the time as 'A very comprehensive instrument with a number of individual features, which tells the time in two places at once, records time from 1/5th second up to 12 hours, has a totally enclosed movable bezel and is clear to read, simple to use and looks like this'., the Flightmaster and its characteristic modernist and vibrant 70s design is now regarded as one benchmark for 'tool watches' that accomplish specific tasks beyond simply keeping accurate time. Because of the short production run of four years this reference appears at auction infrequently. Offered by the original owner's daughter, this Flightmaster presents an uncommon opportunity to acquire this luxurious gold model.

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Circa - A Latin term meaning 'about', often used in the antique trade to give an approximate date for the piece, usually considered to be five years on either side of the circa year. Thus, circa 1900 means the piece was made about 1900, probably between 1895 and 1905. The expression is sometimes abbreviated to c.1900.
Modernism / Modernist - Modernist furniture and design emerged in the early to mid-20th century as a response to traditional styles of the 19th century and prior times, and a reflection of the technological and social changes of the time. Characteristics of Modernist furniture and design include simplicity and minimalism and clean lines and a lack of unnecessary ornamentation are key features. That form follows function is a fundamental principle of Modernist design, and furniture and objects are designed with a focus on their practical use.

Modernist furniture often incorporates geometric shapes, such as cubes, rectangles, and circles. This reflects a departure from the more ornate and curvilinear forms of previous design styles. The furniture often prioritizes ergonomic design, ensuring that objects are comfortable and user-friendly. Modernist designers aimed to create designs that could be mass-produced, making good design accessible to a broader population.

Prominent figures associated with Modernist furniture and object design include designers such as Hans Wegner, Verner Panton, Florence Knoll, Harry Bertoia and Ettore Sottsass
Chronograph - A chronograph is a watch that also incorporates the features of a stopwatch, to measure elapsed time. Most chronographs are operated by two buttons, one to start and stop the chronograph second hand, and the other to return that hand to the starting position.
Baton Hands - A narrow hand on a watch, sometimes also called a stick hand.
Bezel - On a clock or watch, the bezel is the metal frame into which the watch or clock glass is fitted. In clocks, the bezel may include a hinge and a flange, in effect a door to the face of the clock. In jewellery the bezel is a band of metal with a projecting lip that holds the gemstone in its setting.
Movement - The technical name for the workings of a clock or watch, and does not include the dial or case.

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Omega Flightmaster: Rare 18ct Gold Chronograph Wristwatch

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