Omega Bumper Automatic Cal.331 14ct 1946

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, completely original, unrestored and untouched early Omega bumper automatic gentleman’s dress watch in 14ct yellow gold from 1946. This watch is simply wonderful and carries a beautiful camel coloured, original dial. The Calibre 331 bumper automatic movement, in particular, is in spectacular condition.

The Dial

The superb camel dial has applied yellow mixed gilt ‘spearhead’ and ‘baton’ hour indices which are matched with the original unrestored ‘leaf’ style hands, all of which look wonderful against the yellow gold case. The inner minute rail track is also placed perfectly. This is a beautifully well-balanced dial with some delicate signs of ageing in the form of an even patina and a few marks of spotting and pitting. However, we feel all of these add a certain unique feeling to this dial. The dial is typical of the late 1940s, so effortlessly classic, elegant and stylish and one which will never look out of date or out of place.

The dial is simply signed with an applied yellow gold Omega brand, with ‘Omega’ and ‘Automatic’ below.

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

As can be seen, the original Omega Chronometer grade Cal.331, copper-tone bumper automatic movement is totally pristine. 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. These watch movements are very accurate and reliable making this watch perfectly suitable for both evening wear and everyday use.

Cal.331 movements are highly sought after and highly regarded for their accuracy and reliability. This watch has just been fully overhauled and serviced by our vintage Omega specialist watchmaker and is calibrated to run arrow straight within +15 seconds per day with a 42-hour power reserve when fully wound. We are therefore more than happy to offer this watch with our 12 months’ warranty on the movement*.

The movement is signed ‘Omega Watch Co Swiss’, ‘Seventeen Jewels’ and Cal.331 with the serial number 10997498 which dates the watch to 1946.

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

The Case

This watch has obviously been very well cared for and has seen only light use. The beautiful 14ct solid yellow gold case has swept-back lugs which raise the case slightly on the wrist and emphasises its presence. At 32mm in diameter, excluding the correct unsigned crown, this is one of the  smaller sized watches of the period.

The watch has been very well cared for and 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 ‘Omega Watch Co.’, ‘Fab Suisse’ and ‘Swiss Made’ with the case serial number 10821288 and the model reference 2420. 14ct UK hallmarks are also shown.

The case has been professionally inspected, cleaned and lightly polished and is in superb condition, showing only very minimal signs of wear with no scratches, dings, or other damage visible to the naked eye.

Please note – 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 brown leather strap and Omega 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 1946.

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 also 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.

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 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 deliver 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 beautiful example of a top of the range Omega bumper automatic dress watch with an 14ct yellow gold case. The 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.