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 one of Omega’s first series automatic movements, initially produced from 1942 to 1949 as the Cal.28.10 RA PC. The movement was developed into the 330 series of movements, including the Cal.332 which powered the first Omega Seamaster in 1947-48 and the Cal.342 in 1949 which remained in production until 1955. This highly successful movement with a power reserve of 42 hours was part of a hugely successful family of Omega’s automatic movements with over 1,300,000 produced – 500,000 of which 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 ivory-cream dial carries applied gilt 1 – 12 standard Arabic numerals, matched with the original, restored, ‘Leaf’ style hands. The style is clean and elegant, with slight military influences. The dial catches the light nicely and changes from an off-white in daylight to a warmer ivory-cream indoors. It is beautifully well balanced with a subsidiary seconds hand at ‘6’.
The dial is simply signed with the Omega brand and Omega Automatic signature with ‘Swiss Made’ at the very bottom of the dial. A new correct Omega 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 bumper automatic was one of Omega’s first automatic movements. This was part of the highly successful Calibre 300 series of automatic movements, which became the foundation of Omega’s later collection. This series is directly responsible for Omega’s incredible early success with its Seamaster and Constellation family of watches from the middle of the last century onwards.
Bumper movements use a rotor which automatically winds the watch by gently bouncing backwards and forwards between two bumper springs, caused by the movement of the wearer’s wrist. These watch movements are robust, accurate and reliable making this watch perfectly suitable for both evening wear and everyday use.
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 11310984 which dates the manufacture of the watch to 1948.
The movement has been fully overhauled and serviced by our vintage Omega specialist watchmaker and the watch winds, runs and sets smoothly and is keeping excellent time. Following its service, it has been calibrated and is currently running arrow straight at +4 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 9ct yellow gold case measures 32mm in diameter, excluding the correct Omega winding crown, making this a midsized wristwatch for the period. The case is of a three-piece construction with a press-fit case-back which is of full-thickness and carries a beautiful commemorative inscription. The case-back is tight-fitting and presses down with a pleasing and reassuring click.
The ribbed case profile and overall design carry a good deal of 1940s style with nicely crafted lugs, making the case of obvious high quality and sophistication.
The watch case has been carefully inspected, cleaned and lightly polished to bring it back to the immaculate condition you see here, with no scratches or marks visible to the naked eye.
The inside of the case-back carries all the correct markings and is signed ‘Dennison’, ‘Made in England’, ‘A.L.D.’ meaning this watch case was made by Dennison, the case-makers in England who made a great many cases for Omega and Rolex. The case also carries the case reference numbers 12308 and 224777 along with Birmingham UK 9ct 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 Ostrich leather strap has been fitted, with 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 1948.
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
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 
