Important Watches
Important Watches
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.