Important Watches

Important Watches

View full screen - View 1 of Lot 196. Reference 3903 Cioccolatone | A rare platinum and diamond-set automatic wristwatch, Circa 1950.

Omega

Reference 3903 Cioccolatone | A rare platinum and diamond-set automatic wristwatch, Circa 1950

Auction Closed

December 6, 09:17 PM GMT

Estimate

30,000 - 60,000 USD

Lot Details

Description

Dial: silvered, baguette diamond-set indices  

Caliber: cal. 342 automatic, 17 jewels

Movement number: 11'509'201

Case: platinum, snap on caseback 

Case number: 10'815'442

Closure: platinum Omega buckle 

Size: 44 x 33 mm

Signed: case, dial, and movement

Box: no

Papers: no

Coinciding with the Mid-century Modern design movement, watches from the 1950s saw big, bold, and beautiful wristwatch case designs defined by clean lines and geometric shapes. The large rounded square design of the 3903 was considered oversized for the 1950s and was a daring fashion statement.

‘Cioccolatone’ as the 3903 is so affectionately known to collectors, was named after the thin chocolate squares popular in Italy. The period also saw other ‘Cioccolatone’ shaped watches from different esteemed watchmakers such as the Vacheron Constantin Toledo and the Patek Philippe 2486. 


The Omega 3903 was mostly available in stainless steel, and examples in precious metal are extremely rare. The present example is an even rarer version crafted in platinum, and is one of only two examples to surface on the public market to the best of our knowledge. The dial is further fitted with baguette diamond-set indices. 


Powered by the self-winding cal. 342, this is an extremely rare example of wearable design and horological history.