Omega Watches
Since the company was founded in 1848, Omega has pioneered a huge range of innovations. 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 to space on NASA’s Mercury Sigma 7 mission, and in 1969 two Speedmasters landed on the moon, worn by Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin.
Description
Here we a have a wonderful example of a classic 1940s gentleman’s hand-wound Omega, with an oversized 36mm, 18ct pink gold watch case, which is completely original, unrestored and untouched. This watch contains the Omega Calibre 30T2 PC hand-wound movement which has had a full service and is running perfectly.
The Dial
The watch carries a simply beautiful, original, unrestored and untouched speckled off-white dial with applied gilt ‘baton’ indices which are matched with pink gilt ‘dauphine’ hands. The matching pink gold case, pink gold indices and pink gold hands against the colour of the wonderful unrestored dial is particularly pleasing. This watch is complete with a subsidiary seconds dial at the bottom of the dial in place of the 6.
The dial is very simply signed ‘Omega’ with the applied Omega brand at the very top of the dial below 12.
This dial is original and unrestored and has been left untouched by our restoration team due to its superb condition. Usually, we restore the dials of the watches we sell, however we decided in this case to leave it alone, due to its unusually good condition and to retain its originality and charm for those who prefer this. It also helps to contrast with almost all of the other watch dials you see on our website, which have been restored. The hands, likewise, have also been left in their original untouched condition.
Please note, studio lights, professional-grade digital cameras, and macro lenses can be very unkind to an unrestored vintage watch dial. Also the dial here measures less than 1.25 inches across, so the image you’re seeing may be between 5 – 25 times larger than the watch itself. Therefore please keep in mind you are seeing many tiny flaws which cannot be seen, or will be very hard to see with the naked eye, even under close examination. Suffice to say, on the wrist, in natural light, this dial looks much better and carries a great deal more charm than the photographs portray.
The Movement
During the late 19th and early 20th century, manufacturers and their master watchmakers expended significant amounts of time and resources in preparation for Observatory trials held throughout Europe. Unlike today’s annual watch fairs, these events were not intended to showcase new products, but to focus on the science of Chronometry and the ability to make chronometers measure time precisely.
Geneva observatory trials were opened exclusively for companies in the Canton of Geneva, whilst Neuenburg (French: Neuchâtel) competitions were open to all manufacturers. This is why Omega and Longines set up branches in Geneva as each wanted to take part in these prestigious Geneva competitions. The Omega Cal.30 was first released in 1939 and was so successful it remained in production, regularly certified as Chronometer grade, until 1963. It became famous for winning the first prize ‘for Precision’ i.e. accuracy and reliability, at the Kew Observatory trials in 1946 and went on to win back to back 1st prizes at the worlds most competitive trials in Geneva and Neuchâtel throughout 1947-1951. It not only beat all comers, including Patek Philippe but also relegated Omega’s own Tourbillon movement to second place!
The movement has been fully overhauled and serviced by our vintage Omega specialist watchmaker. The watch winds, runs & sets smoothly and it is keeping excellent time. Following its service, it has been calibrated and is currently running arrow straight at +9 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 44 hours. We are therefore more than happy to offer 12 months warranty on the movement of this watch*.
As can be seen, the movement looks spectacularly pristine having been well cared for and properly maintained. It is marked ‘Omega’, ‘Swiss’ and ’15 jewels’ with the serial number 11191787, dating manufacture to 1947.
*Please note, our 12 months’ warranty is only applicable if the full list price is paid.
The Case
The solid 18ct pink gold watch case measures 36mm in diameter, excluding the correct Omega signed winding crown. This makes this an exceptionally large wristwatch for the period. The case is of three-piece construction, with a rounded case-back which is of full thickness and has never been engraved. This is tight-fitting and presses down with a pleasing and reassuring pop.
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-back all is correct and as expected, signed with the Omega Watch Co. triangle branding, along with ‘Fab Suisse’ and ‘Swiss Made’. The case-back also carries the model reference number 2896 along with the serial number 352186.
As ever, our standard advice applies: Vintage watches should be kept clean and dry at all times.
The Strap and Buckle
The watch is fitted with a high quality black leather strap and Omega pink gold-plated buckle, which we feel suits the watch perfectly. If, however, 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 burgundy and black straps in stock, in plain, padded leather, alligator, crocodile or lizard skin.
Box and Papers
Although there are no original papers with this watch, the reference numbers, markings, signatures and hallmarks are all correct, dating this watch to 1947.
Detailed particulars will be included with our purchase receipt for your interest and security. A separate insurance valuation for the replacement value of this watch will be provided at the time of sale along with our unique ‘Lifetime Authenticity Guarantee’ which states: “If this watch proves to be anything less than 100% genuine, authentic and original, a full refund will be given at any time”.
The Omega presentation box shown in the photographs is included.
Payment and Delivery
If you would like to pay by bank transfer, we will be pleased to assist you with this. Similarly, if you wish to pay by International SWIFT or Bank Wire Transfer we will provide you with our BIC / Swift number and our IBAN number.
Please check the import duties and any taxes your government may apply, these are different for each country and, unfortunately, out of our control.
We understand there may be some ‘loopholes’ that may help you avoid these charges; however, attempting to use these could impact our ongoing ability to serve our growing international customer base.
For those who happen to visit London on occasion, we are, of course, more than happy to store your watch until we can meet you in our offices in Kensington, London, and hand your watch directly to you there.
As with all our watches, this watch will be sold under our 14 days no-quibble sale or return policy.
In Conclusion
A truly beautiful and rare vintage hand-wound dress watch with a oversized 18ct pink gold case, from one of Switzerland’s best known and most respected brands. The Omega Calibre 30T2 PC hand wound movement is of a very high grade and on a par with watches far more expensive than this. Indeed when new, this watch would have cost more than the equivalent Rolex. Omega watches are highly collectable and the rarity of this watch means the value will always remain strong.
A word on 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 means we will never be the cheapest, but nor will we be the most expensive. Indeed there are some well-known stores in West London which are highly 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. If you have a watch or a small collection for sale, please contact us as we will be happy to discuss this.
We will also 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 us on 020 7727 7095 or if calling from overseas on +44 207 727 7095.
Please take a look at our other fine vintage gold watches.
Thank you
Andrew M via feefo 
3rd December 2024 
JLC1891 
