Omega Bumper Automatic Chronometer 18ct Pink Gold 1951

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 the 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 landed on the moon, worn by Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin.

Description

A beautiful, fully restored early Omega bumper automatic chronometer gentleman’s dress watch in 18ct pink gold from 1951. This watch is simply wonderful with a very rare salmon pink dial which is almost never seen.

This watch is immaculate, having just completed a full restoration by our team. The movement in particular is in spectacular condition. Omega  Chronometer watches are always highly regarded for their accuracy and dependability and these are considered some of the most practical everyday vintage watches one can buy.

The Dial

The large vertical centre grain pink dial looks stunning on the wrist and really catches the light beautifully. The dial carries applied pink gilt ‘dagger’ hour indices, matched with the original and restored pink gilt Dauphine hands, all of which look wonderful against the pink gold case. This beautiful watch is also framed by a minute rail track register. Pink dial Omega watches from this period were exceedingly rare, which we feel makes this watch something of a special piece.

The dial carries both the applied gold Omega brand and is signed ‘Omega’ and ‘Automatic Chronometer’ with ‘Swiss Made’ at the bottom. The dial also carries the classic 1950s subsidiary seconds dial at ‘6’.

A new correct replacement Omega lens has been fitted as part of the restoration.

The Movement

As can be seen, the fully restored beryllium bronze movement is in amazingly clean condition having been fully overhauled and serviced by our vintage Omega specialist watchmaker. This means it has been completely disassembled to all its component parts, carefully inspected under high magnification, replacement where necessary with only genuine Omega parts before careful reassembly, adjustment and calibration. The watch winds, sets and runs perfectly accurately and reliably within +6 seconds per day, averaged over 5 positions. This has been checked and confirmed on our electronic watch timegrapher and is outstanding for any watch, particularly of this age. The movement also has an excellent 42-hour power reserve when fully wound. We are therefore more than confident in offering 12 months’ warranty with this watch movement*.

Bumper movements use a rotor which winds the movement by gently bouncing backwards and forwards between two spring ‘bumpers’, caused by the movement of the wearer’s wrist and are very highly regarded for its accuracy and reliability, making this watch ideal for regular daily use.

The movement is signed ‘Omega Watch Co Swiss’ along with the Calibre No. 333, ‘17 Jewels’, and the serial number 32,388,797 which dates this watch to 1951.

*Please note – our 12 months’ warranty is only applicable if the list price is paid.

The Case

An early Omega Chronometer in such fine condition as this is a rare thing in the vintage watch market, especially in 18ct pink gold. This very lightly polished, large and noticeably heavy 18ct solid pink gold case with beautifully sculpted swept-back lugs measures 35mm in diameter, excluding the correct, Omega signed crown. The case is in amazing condition showing no signs of wear visible to the naked eye and even under a loupe it is very hard to fault. Importantly, the case is of full-thickness and has never been inscribed.

Inside case-back all is correct and signed ‘Omega Watch Co.’, ‘Fab Suisse’ and ‘Swiss Made’ with the serial number 10894194 and the model ref. 2515 The case also carries Swiss Geneva 18ct hallmarks.

Please note – although the rubber seals have been replaced, and this watch was originally specified as water-resistant, this has not been tested and it is not guaranteed. As ever, our standard advice applies: Vintage watches should be kept clean and dry at all times.

The Strap & Buckle

A brown calf leather watch strap has been fitted with a pink gold-plated Omega buckle which we feel finishes this watch perfectly. 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. We can also obtain most types and colours from our partners at ‘Watch Obsession’ within 48hrs. Please take a look at their wonderful range of 18mm straps if you wish here.

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 1951.

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”.

This watch comes complete with a vintage Omega presentation box.

In Conclusion

This is an outstanding example of the rare pink gold Omega Chronometer bumper automatic dress watch with the highly regarded Cal.333 movement. This 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 of its day. Omega Chronometer watches are highly collectable and the rarity of this watch means the value will always remain strong. This watch will also make an excellent investment and family heirloom piece. Even though vintage Omega prices have risen markedly recently, we feel fine examples such as this still remain undervalued. As each year goes by and the world market for vintage watches expands, availability will become more limited, so 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.

We are happy to accept PayPal as this is the quickest method of payment. However, if you would wish to pay by bank transfer, we will be pleased to pass on a 3% transaction saving to you. Similarly, if you wish to pay by International SWIFT or International 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 that happen to visit the UK 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 your watch directly to you there.

Please note, we 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 us on 020 7727 7095 or if calling from overseas on +44 207 727 7095.

We are here, ready, available and awaiting your call! 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!