A rare Omega: The illustrious Grand Sport “Racing Dial”
Omega Genève Grand Sport “Racing Dial” 135.041
So what’s this? A Timex with an Omega logo? A calibre 601 that’s incredibly rare?
This is the Grand Sport. A time only wrist watch that was being sold as a “racing” inspired watch at an affordable price point in 1968.
Omega: A Journey Through Time door Marco Richon, 2007
The Grand Sport could be considered as the cheaper alternative of the Omega Chronostop which was a consumer line of Omega Speedmaster “Professional”.
Omega Chronostop advertisement
Image and watch by Revolution Watch: https://revolutionwatch.com/
You can see the heritage of the second hand of the Grand Sport that was introduced in the late 60’s with the Omega Chronostop and famed Omega Speedmaster “Ultraman”.
Rarity. This watch is produced in a very limited production run. With around 20 watches known (with this dial but having varying handsets). Making this one of the rarest of the Omega’s from the early racing years.
True story of the grand sport
The book “Omega: A Journey Through Time” describes is this a watch made for the Grand Prix of Canada of 1968. One example of this dial in another case has been confirmed to be made for this event.
But other pieces from the reference 135.041 are probably not made for this event and sold as more affordable “racing” inspired alternatives.
As many pieces are being found in The Netherlands it’s unlikely that they where produced for the Canadian market.
The one owner Grand Sport
Luckily I’ve found a Grand Sport that belonged to the first owner and could specify how he got the watch.
It was 1968 where he was a young boy and went shopping with his dad. He remembers going to the watch firm on Kalverstraat 206 in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
The name of the firm is E. Kiek Jr. (ELKA Watch Co.) A store with a long history of selling watches since 1913.
He remembers at the time you could get the Grand Sport with two strap variations. The checkered strap and a black rubber tropic strap but unsure if this was done by the store or really a part of Omega’s offering.
E. Kiek Jr.,1961 Kalverstraat 206 Amsterdam in The Netherlands.
Do you own an Omega Grand Prix or do you have more information about this watch?
I would like to get in contact with you!
