Tissot ‘F300’ Hard Metal Prototype SOLD

WHY YOU CAN BUY WITH CONFIDENCE

I am delighted to be able to offer you this extremely rare and highly collectible piece.

This watch is part of the prototype series of Hard Metal watches produced by Omega/ Tissot between 1965 and 1975. The watch never went in to production however there are a handful of examples in private collections and two on display in the Omega museum.

The watch was developed as part of the series which culminated in the launch of the Omega ‘Vader’ and ‘Skywalker’ Chronographs (running 861 movements) which were produced for the Asian and European markets. Omega made very few of these special chronographs and as such their value is only exceeded by early Speedmasters, they are amongst the rarest of Omega Chronograph models.

The development of these watches was a real land mark in technological case development, Omega sought to make a case that was impervious to scratches and as such, after dozens of failed attempts, they produced a stainless-steel case that was then tungsten coated and has a resistance of Vickers 2000, the only thing that could scratch the case was a diamond.

Following the 861 chronographs Omega began experimentation with a series of other hard metal watches, which included collaborations with Tissot (who Omega owned at the time under SSIH). Over the course of five years Omega made around 80 prototypes of which a handful escaped the factory, this is one. Their experimentation in various case materials led to the 1980 release of the Tulip or Cermut, a steel/ black ceramic watch, which although a technological marvel was released at a time when Omega was on the brink of collapse and as such was not well made or successful commercially.

The example we bring to you dates to approximately 1974/5, it is houses an F300 Omega movement in a tungsten case (identical to the one on display at Omega) but with a Tissot branded dial. This case was used with a range of movements which included the F300 tuning fork, calibre 1341 and Megaquartz, some branded Omega, some Tissot and some with unbranded SSIH dials.

The watch is in perfect condition, it has a two-piece steel cases which is tungsten coated and shows no damage or wear. It is supplied on an original period peccary rally band.

This is a unique opportunity to buy a very special and very rare watch you will not see on anyone else’s wrist or in any other collection. It has all the benefits of a unique prototype but with a movement which is repairable and serviceable.

Stock number 382

General notes on our watches and terms

1.Waterproof please note under no circumstances should any vintage timepiece be regarded as waterproof regardless of the manufacturing specification at the time of manufacture

2.Precision Please note that some of the pieces we handle are over 100 years old and do not perform like some modern watches. Part of the attraction is the requirement to hand wind many of these time pieces on a regular basis.

3.Servicing, just like a vintage motor car a mechanical watch will require regular maintenance our suggestion would be once every few years should suffice but please feel free to contact us with any specific queries relating to an individual piece.

4.Returns when purchased on line any item can be returned by recorded delivery at the buyer’s expense and risk within 14 days of receipt to The Watch Collector.17London Road South. Poynton.Cheshire.SK12 1LA

5.Gaurantee, all products are guaranteed for a period of 90 days for mechanical defect. This guarantee does not cover misuse or neglect and is invalid if the case back has been opened in any way. please see note 1 regarding water ingress

See full terms and conditions for further details