Omega Cal.30T2 14ct 1945

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.

Description

A beautifully, previously restored Cal.30 T2 gentleman’s 14ct yellow gold dress watch from 1945. The stars of the show here are undoubtedly the outstanding black dial and the movement as the ultra high-grade Cal.30 T2, often specified as chronometer grade, is simply one of the finest hand-wound movements ever conceived. It is an important movement from a horological point of view for its record-breaking levels of accuracy and reliability attained at the numerous competitive trials it entered and won.

The Dial

The incredible previously restored black dial carries mixed ‘3 – 6 – 9 – 12’  standard Arabic numerals and ‘stud’ hour indices, all of which are swept by the original ‘leaf’ hands. This dial is completed with a subsidiary seconds dial at 6.

The dial simply carries the Omega brand and signature. A new correct lens has been fitted as part of the restoration.

This watch has been previously restored to a very high standard yet remains in outstandin 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 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!

As can be seen, the movement looks spectacularly pristine having been well cared for and properly maintained. It is marked ‘Omega’, ‘Swiss’ and ’17 jewels’ with the serial number 10516321 which means the date of manufacture was 1945.

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 +7 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*.

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

The Case

The sturdy 14ct yellow gold case measures 33mm in diameter, excluding the correct Omega signed winding crown. This makes this a good sized 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 click.

The case profile is completely rounded where the bezel meets the case and case back, which makes this a very simple and elegant design. Likewise, the elegantly shaped sweeping lugs lift the watch slightly on the wrist, again increasing the overall impression of quality and sophistication.

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, all is as expected and correctly signed with the Omega Watch Co triangle along with ‘Omega’, ‘Fab Suisse’, ‘Swiss Made’ and carries the case serial number 10642529, along with Swiss Geneva 14ct hallmarks.

As ever, our standard advice applies: Vintage watches should be kept clean and dry at all times.

The Strap & Buckle

A high quality black leather strap has been fitted, along with an Omega 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.

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 1945.

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”.

This watch comes complete with an Omega presentation box, as shown in the images.

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

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 in a 14ct yellow gold 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 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.