376.0822 LE - Gold dial.

[andy_s]

A rare version - judging from the serial on the back it looks like an LE of 200 of the 5100/1045 Speedmaster with a gilt dial, pushers and tachy bezel.

Can't say I've seen this one before. Pucker or not? "18 carat for the Italian market"...

http://www.chrono24.com/en/omega/spe...num=0&tab=pics

[Pascal S]

This is indeed a limited edition of 200 released on the Italian market in 1990 by Omega in order to clear the remaining stock of Grails, as amazing as it may sound nowadays.

This version, which I usually refer to as the "Liberace Grail" thanks to its flamboyant looks, came on the heels of another Italian limited edition run, this one based on the Speedmaster Professional.



As you can see, the cosmetic changes are very similar: gold crown, pushers, registers and bezel. And just like the LE Grail, this watch only came on a leather strap.

[DaveS]

An interesting find Andy, though I have to say I prefer the original (grail).

One detail I noticed, the LE numbers are appallingly engraved/stampred.

Is this usual on this model, I don't recall having seen a caseback of one before...

dave

[Pascal S]

Originally Posted by DaveS

One detail I noticed, the LE numbers are appallingly engraved/stampred.

Is this usual on this model, I don't recall having seen a caseback of one before...

Yep, that's the usual engraving on this version. It shows that it was rushed onto the market, as Omega didn't even bother to change the case reference for this model.

Interestingly, I notice that the papers state that the watch was sold in 1988. I find that hard to believe since all the evidence I have regarding this watch points to an introduction in 1990. But given that the box is not the original for this version, it is not much of a stretch to believe that the paperwork might have been doctored as well (a cal. 861 user manual for a cal. 1045? Yeah, right!).

[andy_s]

Great info chaps, I too prefer the original version - I must have a spot of gold aversion.

I thought that too about the series number, but that sounds a reasonable explanation Pascal. Good spot on the paperwork.

I've been 'price watching' the regular ones, so out of interest -

Feb - German auction house 3400Eu (+22%)
Mar - Chrono24; one with service dial £4,400 and one with bad redial £3,000
Apr - TZ-UK £3,800 (Service dial)
May - Italian Watch shop - 3800Eu (quickly sold for cash )
May - WuS £4200 - unsold?
June - Private offer - £4,750
June - TZ-UK - £5,250

[Pascal S]

You can add a few that sold on eBay over the last 6 months:
- a good one with everything original for €4600
- one with service dial, service hands and a cheapo 1171 bracelet for €3500
- one withe service dial and hands, but with its original ref. 1450 bracelet for €3800

More and more of these watch have the incorrect service dial, and the shorter hands that are made for the other calibre 1045 chronographs. By committing such defacements, Omega is really screwing up the look of one of its most beautiful watches ever produced...