Omega
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.
Description
A beautiful, previously restored Cal.30 T2 PC gentleman’s 18ct pink gold dress watch from 1946. The star of the show here is undoubtedly the movement, as the ultra high grade Cal.30 T2, often specified as chronometer grade, was simply one of the finest hand-wound movements ever conceived. It is an important movement in the record books, for its incredible standards of accuracy and reliability attained at all the competitive trials it entered and won. See below.
Other notable features of this watch include its simply wonderful and highly elegant dial, which is typically 1940s, along with its beautiful, large size, 35mm pink gold watch case.
The Dial
The silver-white dial is furnished with alternate stud hour indices with black outlined standard Arabic numerals at ‘2 – 4 – 8 – 10 – 12’. The numerals are swept by unrestored ‘leaf’ style hands. As a whole, this dial speaks of another level of quality, in keeping with the quality of the case and movement.
The dial simply carries the Omega brand and signature, with a wonderful crosshair subsidiary seconds dial at ‘6’.
This is the original dial which has been previously restored to the highest standards and remains in tip-top condition.
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 the watch fairs of today, these events were not intended to showcase new products. Instead, the Observatory trials focused on the science of Chronometry and the ability to make chronometers measure time precisely.
Geneva observatory trials were exclusive 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 – they wanted to take part in 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 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!
As can be seen, the Omega beryllium-bronze movement looks spectacularly pristine having been well cared for and properly maintained. It is signed ‘Omega’, ‘Swiss’ and ‘15 Jewels’ with the serial number 10958317, dating manufacture to 1940.
The movement has just been fully overhauled and serviced by our vintage Omega specialist watchmaker. The watch therefore 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. These results have 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*.
*Please note, our 12 months’ warranty is only applicable if the full list price is paid.
The Case
The high quality Omega Swiss made 18ct pink gold case measures 35mm in diameter, excluding the unsigned Omega winding crown. This makes this an exceptionally large wristwatch for the period, when typical sized watches measured only 32 or 33mm diameter. The case is of a sturdy three-piece construction with a wide bezel and strong lugs.
After a close inspection, the watch case 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 almost no marks visible to the naked eye, indicating this watch has been very well cared for.
The case-back is of full thickness and has never been inscribed. It is tight-fitting and presses back with a pleasing and reassuring ‘pop’.
Inside the case-back, all is correct and as expected; Signed ‘Omega Watch Co’, ‘Fab Suisse’ and ‘Swiss Made’, with the case serial number 10823107 and 18ct Swiss Geneva 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 Alligator strap has been fitted, along with a pink gold-plated Omega 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 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 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 hardwood presentation box shown in the photographs will be included with this watch.
In Conclusion
An exceptionally high quality vintage wristwatch with one of the best hand-wound movements of all time. This watch is in as fine a condition as one is likely to find, and it is in a rare 18ct pink gold oversize case.
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.
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. Paying by bank transfer for a 3% saving will not affect your 12 months warranty. 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 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 
