Year: 1993
Reference No: 3890.50.00, ST345.0022
Movement No: 48’295’104
Model Name: Speedmaster Professional
Material: Stainless steel
Calibre: Manual, cal. 861, 17 jewels
Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Omega bracelet, endlinks stamped “812”, max length 200mm
Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Omega deployant clasp stamped “1479”
Accessories: Accompanied by blank Omega warranty card, leather holder, hang tag, product literature, presentation box with Khanjar emblem and outer packaging.
The history of the Omega Speedmaster Professional is well-known within the collecting community, and both the brand and their timepieces are entrenched within the history of the United States NASA space program from its beginnings to the present, and has the honour of being “the first watch worn on the moon”. Over the last sixty years, Omega has released special edition models celebrating one of the most spectacular feats of mankind and the present watch is made all the more special with the addition of the Khanjar daggers emblem of Sultanate of Oman.
The Sultan of Oman Qaboos bin Said al Said, a well-known collector of fine watches, commissioned timepieces from brands, which were then engraved with the national emblem, and these watches were given as gifts to dignitaries and friends. The most frequently seen “Khanjar” watches are from Rolex and include models like the Submariner, to Day-Date, and Daytona Cosmograph. The present example from Omega is exceedingly rare and research suggests only ten Omega timepieces were made for the Omani ruler in 1991.
The present lot, from 1993 and sold to Oman, is in immaculate condition with crisp factory finish to the lugs and band, along with sharp bevels, and crisp Khanjar emblem engraved to the caseback. The luminous material has turned a warm orange brown hue. Today, collectors are seeking the rare and usual, along with extraordinary condition, this Omega chronograph celebrating mankind’s remarkable accomplishments checks all the boxes with a rarity unmatched, a condition unmatched and original warranty and Omega Khanjar wooden presentation box. Another similar example was sold in 'Start Stop Reset' Thematic Auction at Phillips in 2016 for 30,000 CHF.