Today's offering showcases this rare and important Omega "Deluxe Marine" Standard, one of our favorite early Omega watches.

This is only the second Marine Standard that has come through these halls in our fifteen years in business. The first was purchased from us by the Omega Museum for display at their headquarters in Switzerland as part of their permanent collection and was featured in Marco Richon's book, Omega: A Journey Through Time on page 133. For those not familiar Mr. Richon is the curator of the official Omega Museum.

The "Marine Standard" Baumgartner design.

Omega is perhaps best known as a sports timekeeper, recording the world's most important competitions, from the Olympics and America's Cup to the CART World Series. In the 1930's, after fulfilling their role as the official timekeeper for the 1932 Olympics in Los Angeles, Omega dedicated themselves to developing a waterproof sports watch that would be protected against perspiration, humidity, and even watertight for diving.

The first watches they developed were made in fairly limited quantities, the Marine and Marine Standard models. As Mr. Richon discusses in his book, the Marine Standard "guaranteed long-lasting water-tightness" under two atmospheres of pressure thanks to its Frédéric Baumgartner system of bezel and case middle equipped with hooks to compress the case back against a rubber gasket. Omega patented and trademarked this design which used neither screw nor hinge.

The designs for the Marine Standard were patented by Frédéric Baumgartner, a Geneva based case maker and well-known figure in case making particularly because of his contribution to field of waterproof cases. If you would like more technical information on the patents and designs for this watch, please inquire.

Despite the fact that the Rolex Oyster released in 1926 has often become thought of today as the earliest dive watch, it actually wasn't, as it wasn't marketed as intended for divers.

Rolex did not claim that the Oyster was suitable for diving or submersion in water to any great depth. Perhaps it wasn't important to Rolex because diving was a commercial or military activity in 1926 for which wristwatches were not required. The Oyster was waterproof for ordinary swimming and was potentially capable of being the first divers watch, but the Omega Marine was the first watch to be specifically tested and qualified for diving depths.

These rare watches are highly sought after by serious collectors.

Further adding to this watch's desirability is that it is the "Deluxe Marine", so name because it uses a synthetic sapphire crystal rather than a plexiglass one. Using a synthetic sapphire crystal, like what comes on nearly all modern luxury watches, was virtually unheard of in the 1930's.

We were fortunate to acquire it in all original and totally honest untouched condition down to its original rare sapphire crystal! Its case is in excellent condition and has never been polished. Its original dial has even patina and warmed to a sepia tone, giving it a true vintage look. And its original sapphire crystal is in very good condition with only one hairline in the corner.

One of our watchmakers has disassembled it down to its last screw and cleaned and oiled it. For the finishing touch we have equipped it with a brand new crocodile strap making it ready for immediate enjoyment. Note that the new crocodile strap was installed after the photos were taken.

Included with the purchase is a one-year international warranty on the movement and its function, a custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity, and a new timing certificate.

The Marine Standard's page on the Omega website can be found here.

Note: Several published examples of this model including the last example that we sold are featured in Marco Richon's work Omega: A Journey Through Time, 2007, pg. 133 and also reside in the Omega Museum. To commemorate the Marine series, in 2007, Omega released ony 135 valuable examples of the first edition "Marine" as a limited edition as part of its special “Museum Collection” series.

• Manufacturer: Omega
• Country of origin: Switzerland
• Serial no.: 9,049,088
• Year made: c. 1935
• Model: Ref. CK 3637
• Functions: Hours, Minutes, Subsidiary Seconds
• Designed for: Men
• Case material: Stainless steel
• Dimensions: 23.5mm diameter (excluding crown), 39mm long lug tip-to-tip
• Dial: Matte silver with black painted Roman numerals, outer minute track, signed Omega, original and untouched, warmed to a sepia tone and evenly painted
• Hands: Original, blue steel batons
• Movement type: Cal. 19.4 SOB, rhodium plated, 15 jewels, cut bimetallic balance, Breguet overcoil balance spring, index regulator
• Jewels: 15 rubies
• Beat frequency: 18,000 BPH
• Band: Crocodile, fully stitched, padded, brand new and unworn
• Width between lugs: 18mm
• Crystal type: Original, flat top, synthetic sapphire, very good condition with one hairline in the top right corner
• Serviced by C.O.T.: One of our watchmakers has disassembled it down to its last screw and cleaned and oiled it making it ready for immediate enjoyment.
• Warranty: 1-year international warranty. Please email concierge@cotwatches.com for details
• Box/Papers: BOX - Connoisseur of Time watch presentation box; PAPERS - Custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity; New timing certificate
• Returns: 7 days full refund. 100% satisfaction guarantee

We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee for all of our watches. If you are in any way unsatisfied with the watch we will fully refund the purchase price anytime within 7 days after the watch has been received. Our goal is to exceed our client's expectations throughout the buying experience.

All watches are packaged carefully and mailed double boxed in specially constructed, reinforced shipping boxes designed for high value items. All watches are sent fully insured with signature required. Most of our domestic shipping is done through FedEx. At times we will also use USPS Express Mail, and we can accommodate most requests for your preferred carrier. International shipments are sent USPS International Express Mail or FedEx.

The purchase price will be the declared value of the merchandise on any required customs forms. The payment of all customs duties, tariffs, and taxes are the responsibility of the buyer.

Also note that water resistance of vintage watches can no longer be guaranteed and is not covered under the watch's warranty. We do not recommend getting a vintage watch wet, even one that was originally designed to be waterproof.

To get an idea of how this watch will look on the wrist, please use the Watch Sizing Guide