Prototype Identity and Production Context
According to auction cataloguing cited by the source, this watch represents a pre-series wristwatch prototype produced by Omega in 1947. Omega had originally created twelve Calibre 30 I tourbillon movements measuring 30mm in diameter specifically to compete in the 'wristwatch' category of timing trials at the Geneva, Neuchâtel, and Kew-Teddington Observatories, with none intended for public retail.
While seven of the initial twelve competition calibres were later rediscovered and cased by Omega in 1987, historical documentation and drawings preserved at the Omega Museum indicate an initiative to house a 30mm tourbillon in a wristwatch case. This discovery brought the known count of Calibre 30 I movements to thirteen, with the present piece identified as a surviving prototype resulting from that development program.
Evidence for this section
- “produced as a prototype in 1947 and never intended for sale”
- “In 1947, Omega created twelve Calibre 30 I tourbillon movements of only 30mm in diameter to run in the “wristwatch” category of the Geneva, Neuchatel and Kew-Teddington Observatory trials.”
- “illustrations and information contained in letters preserved at the Omega Museum showcase plans for a 30mm tourbillon movement to be housed in a wristwatch, at least one such movement was created thus increasing the total count of cal. 30 I to thirteen.”