OMEGA SEAMASTER REF. 2850SC "XVI OLYMPIC GAMES MELBOURNE" YELLOW GOLD WRISTWATCH, 1956 OMEGA SEAMASTER REF. 2850SC "XVI OLYMPIC GAMES MELBOURNE" 1956 18kt yellow gold case, screw-down case back engraved with a cross of merit and Olympic rings, crown marked, spider horns, smooth bezel, cream Chinese lacquer dial (defects) with central cross of merit and Olympic rings, applied hour markers, self-winding movement cal 471 no. 14507724, non-original brown leather strap, gold-plated buckle marked Omega, plastic glass, gr. 40. Diam. mm 34. Equipped with second original gold-plated buckle. For outstanding service to the world of sport, Omega was awarded the Olympic Cross of Merit in 1952. To celebrate this event, four years later, the company presented the Omega Seamaster XVI at the 16th Olympic Games in Melbourne, Australia. The model we are presenting represents a rare pre-commercial prototype, given to athletes, celebrities and officials at the Olympic Games. The story goes that Omega made about 100 examples of the Seamaster model, but this watch caused a clash with the Olympic Committee. In fact, the emblem with which the Swiss company had been honoured could not be used for commercial purposes and Omega was forced to modify the dial, replacing the cross of merit with the number XVI on the dial. This version was to be the definitive version of the watch. For outstanding service in the world of sport, Omega was awarded the Olympic Cross of Merit in 1952. To celebrate this event, four years later, the Maison presented the Omega Seamaster XVI, on the occasion of the sixteenth edition of the Olympics in Melbourne, Australia. The model we present, represents a rare pre-commercial prototype, donated to athletes, celebrities and executives at the Olympic Games. The story goes that Omega made about 100 examples of the Seamaster model, but this watch caused a clash with the Olympic Committee, in fact the emblem with which the Swiss House was awarded, could not be used for commercial purposes and Omega was forced to modify the dial, replacing the cross of merit with number XVI on the dial. This version will be the final version of the watch.