Omega Watches
Since the company was founded in 1848, Omega has pioneered a huge range of technical innovations in watchmaking. Britain’s Royal Flying Corps chose Omega watches in 1917 as official timekeepers for its pilots and again in 1940, RAF Pilots watches were supplied by Omega. The 1940s also saw the first tourbillon wristwatch and the first of the famous Seamaster watches, whilst the 1950s and ’60s introduced the legendary Constellation, Speedmaster, Seamaster 300 and Railmaster. Over these years, everyone from John F. Kennedy to Elvis wore Omega watches on official duties. What’s more, in 1962, astronaut Wally Schirra took his Omega Speedmaster into space on NASA’s Mercury Sigma 7 mission, and in 1969 two Omega Speedmasters were the first watches to arrive on the moon, worn by Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin.
Why This Watch is Important
This watch contains Omega’s first automatic movement, the Cal.28.10 RA PC, which was produced from 1942 to 1949. This movement became the Cal.342 in 1949 which then remained in production until 1955. This highly successful movement, with a power reserve of 42 hours, became the foundation of Omega’s automatic movement family with 1,300,000 produced, of which 500,000 were Chronometers. This series powered many thousands of the early Omega Seamaster and Constellation watches and much of the modern-day success of the Omega company we know today can rightly be attributed to this movement.
The Dial
The slightly off-white dial carries applied arrowhead and stud hour indices. The hour indices are transcribed by the original restored ‘leaf’ hands and a blued steel seconds hand. The dial is beautifully balanced and the style is clean and elegant, with a slight military influence.
The dial simply carries the Omega brand and Omega Automatic signature, with ‘Swiss Made’ at the very bottom of the dial. A new correct lens has been fitted as part of the restoration.
This is the original dial which has been restored to the highest standards by our dial restorers who are considered to be the best in the UK.
The Movement
As discussed above, the Omega Cal.28.10 RA PC was Omega’s first automatic movement and and one which later evolved into the highly successful Calibre 330 series of automatic movements. These became the foundation of Omega’s later automatic collection and are directly responsible for the huge success of the Seamaster and Constellation family from the middle of the last century onwards.
The beryllium bronze movement is in superb condition and is marked ‘Omega Watch Co’, ‘Swiss’ and ’17 Jewels’ with the Calibre number 28.10 RA PC and the serial number 11115072, which dates the manufacture of the watch to 1947.
The movement has been fully overhauled and serviced by our vintage Omega specialist watchmaker and the watch winds runs & sets smoothly and is keeping excellent time. Following its service, it has been calibrated and is currently running arrow straight at +5 seconds/day! This excellent for any watch of this age and has been verified on our electronic timegrapher instrument. The watch also has an excellent power reserve of 42 hours. We are therefore more than happy to offer 12 months warranty on the movement of this watch*.
*Please note, our 12 months’ warranty is only applicable if the full list price is paid.
The Case
The very elegant 18ct yellow gold case measures 32.5mm in diameter, excluding the correct Omega winding crown, making this a midsize wristwatch for the period. The case is of three-piece construction, with a press-fit case back which is of full thickness and has never been engraved. This is tight-fitting and presses down with a pleasing and reassuring click.
The ribbed case profile and overall design carries a good deal of 1940s style with nicely crafted lugs which making the case of obvious high quality and sophistication.
The watch has been very well cared for and so after a close inspection has simply required a careful clean and a gentle polish to bring it back to its current, almost as new condition. The case, the case-back and bezel are all in superb condition with no marks or scratches visible to the naked eye. Even under high magnification, it is very hard to find any signs of wear, indicating this watch has seen very little use and has had a charmed life.
The case is of full-thickness and has never been inscribed.
Inside the case, all is as expected and correctly signed: ‘Omega Watch Co’, ‘Swiss Made’ and carries the case serial number 10800792 and Omega model number 2445. This is a Swiss made case and therefore carries Geneva Swiss 18ct hallmarks.
As ever, our standard advice applies: Vintage watches should be kept clean and dry at all times.
The Strap & Buckle
A new high quality brown Crocodile strap has been fitted, along with matching Omega gold plated buckle. However, if a different colour or style of strap is preferred, please let us know and we will do our best to oblige free of charge. We carry tan, conker, dark brown and black in stock in plain padded leather, crocodile skin or lizard skin, but can also obtain most types and colours at short notice.
The Box and Papers
Although there are no original papers with this watch, all the numbers and markings on the watch are correct, dating the watch to 1947.
Our detailed ‘Particulars’ document will be included in the sale, along with our detailed receipt and 12 months warranty*. A separate insurance valuation for the replacement value of this watch will also be provided at the time of sale, along with our unique ‘Lifetime Authenticity Guarantee’ which states: “If at any time, this watch proves to be anything less than totally authentic, or not as described, Vintage Gold Watches of London will offer you a full refund at any time”.
The matching vintage Omega presentation box shown in the photographs is included with this watch.
In Conclusion
An exceptionally high-quality vintage wristwatch with one of the most important automatic movements of all time.
Omega watches of this quality and rarity will always remain collectable and values will remain strong, so this watch will make an excellent investment and family heirloom piece. Even though vintage Omega prices have risen markedly of late, we feel excellent examples such as this still remain undervalued. Each year as the world market for fine vintage watches grows ever wider, limited availability means prices are surely destined to climb ever higher!
A word about our prices – We always try our hardest to acquire the very highest quality watches we can find, before restoring them to the highest possible standards. We then offer these at the fairest prices we can, taking into account our pre and post-sales care and service. This approach inevitably means we will never be the cheapest, but nor will we be the most expensive. Indeed there are a number of well-known stores in West London which are very successful, charging between two to three times the price you see here. We therefore consider our prices to be fair, given the quality of watches we have to offer.
Please note, we also welcome part exchanges and if you have a watch or small collection for sale, please contact us as we will be happy to discuss.
We will be happy to Service your watch, Repair your watch or Restore your watch, all at ‘sensible’ prices. Please see here.
If you have any questions please call on Landline 0207 727 7095 or if calling from overseas on +44 207 727 7095.
We await your call and we will be happy to answer any questions and offer advice about this or any of our watches listed for sale. If you would like some general advice regarding any aspect of vintage watches, including buying, selling, or collecting vintage watches, we will also be happy to hear from you.
Finally, please enjoy some time spent viewing our other fine vintage gold watches!
Thank you.
Andrew M via feefo 
3rd December 2024 
JLC1891 
