THE ESSENTIALS

MAKE: OMEGA
MODEL: 3517.30.00
YEAR: 2001
BOX/PAPERS: NO/YES
CASE DIAMETER: 39mm
CASE MATERIAL: STAINLESS STEEL
BRACELET MATERIAL: STAINLESS STEEL
MOVEMENT: AUTOMATIC

The year is 1995, the track of the Pacific Grand Prix painted with thunderclouds and a palpable tension as Michael Schumacher races for a chance at his second World Championship, and what started as a razor-thin margin eventually grew to a 21 second lead over rival Damon Hill - securing him the title.

In the wake of this triumph, Omega extended an alliance to Schumacher, marking the beginning of a 15-year ambassadorial bond. During this period, their synergy culminated in eight distinct Schumacher watch variants. Curiously, the first - unveiled at his private Kerpen karting circuit - bore no direct signature of Schumacher, choosing instead to resonate with racing enthusiasts via three effervescent dial colours, all encased in an avant-garde tyre-shaped box.

This example is a 2001 Omega 3517.30.00 – a nod to Schumacher's illustrious third world title. This iteration, among the first of its lineage, is coveted for its pristine white dial, one among only 4,000 ever crafted. Its counterpart - a black-dial variant - had a slightly larger production at 6,000 units both featuring a stainless steel 39mm exterior and the Cal. 3220 automatic movement.

Accompanied by its original papers and full-linked bracelet, this timepiece remains in fantastic condition — perhaps the most pristine we've had the privilege to showcase. Recently serviced, it runs with a precision of +4 secs a day.