105 Omega Exceptional and Rare Oversized Aviators Jumbo Wristwatch in Steel, With Black Glossy Dial, Arabic Numbers and Gay Freres Bracelet

Estimate: € 6,000 –⁠ 12,000

Sold € 21,450

Model: Oversize
Material: Stainless Steel
Reference N°: 2181
Year: 1940s
Case N°: 9859025
Caliber: 30 T
Movement type: Manual
Movement N°: 9123251
Bracelet: Stainless Steel
Dimensions: 38 mm
Signed: Dial, case and movement

In the early days of watchmaking, the standard sizes for wristwatches were much smaller if compared to present days. The normality was to measure 36, 35 mm or even less if we think about the iconic Calatrava ref. 96 by Patek Philippe with its 32mm (please see lot 67). The large cases were rather destined to the military environment or to the pilots’ wrists to allow an easier reading of the timetable. In the ’40s and ’50s it was therefore very difficult to see a large diameter watch with a classical design and this fact makes the Omega offered here an absolutely rare and interesting specimen. Its 38mm case was in fact an absolute novelty in the 1950s for a dress watch and immediately surprised the passionates. Made of stainless steel, the Calatrava style case with snap on back and long triangular lugs has been perfectly preserved over the years. The dial is the ultimate example of cleanliness and elegance with its black lacquered color in excellent condition: the choice of not using the radium and instead printing the arabic numerals together with the outer closed track for minutes and the subsdiary dial for seconds is so unusual but also a winning choice for the perfectly successful result. To further embellish the watch, the stainless steel bracelet made by Gay Freres with beads of rice straight endlink. This special company was able to offer products that perfectly captured the various fashions of the day, using steel, gold, and platinum to create bracelets in all kinds of shapes and sizes, giving free rein to the imagination during the Art Deco period. The present lot is a real beauty and a crisp example capable of breaking patterns in terms of size and style.