Omega Watches
Since the company was founded in 1848, Omega has pioneered a huge range of innovations. 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 to space on NASA’s Mercury Sigma 7 mission, and in 1969 two Speedmasters landed on the moon, worn by Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin.
Description
Here we a have a wonderful example of a classic 1950s, gentleman’s hand-wound Omega, with a oversized 36mm, 18ct pink gold watch case, which has been through a full restoration. This watch contains the Omega, Calibre 267 hand-wound movement which has had a full service and is running perfectly.
The Dial
The watch carries a simply beautiful ivory-cream dial with applied gilt ‘spearhead’ indices and standard Arabic numerals at ‘3 – 9 – 12’ which are matched with gilt ‘dauphine’ hands. The watch also carries a subsidiary seconds dial which as can be seen from the accompanying photographs, is perfectly proportioned for this beautiful dial.
The dial is simply signed ‘Omega’ with the Omega brand and applied pink gold star with ‘Swiss Made’, at the very bottom.
This is the original dial which has been restored to the very highest standards by the best dial restorers in the UK. Please take a close look at the beauty of the dial and the quality of the restoration, as it is in truly, immaculate condition.
The Movement
The Omega Calibre 267, 17 jewel copper-plated beryllium bronze movement is part of the famous Omega 30mm series, which was continually developed over 25 years and has become a cornerstone of Omega’s history.
As can be seen, the movement here is in sparkling, pristine condition and has obviously been very well cared for. It is signed ‘Omega’, ‘Swiss’ and ‘17 Jewels’ with the serial number 1,631,332. This serial number dates the watch to 1959.
The watch has been fully overhauled and serviced by our vintage Omega specialist watchmaker and is calibrated to run arrow straight within +3 seconds/day! This is outstanding for any watch of this age and has been tested on our electronic timegrapher. The power reserve on this movement is 45 hours when fully wound and the movement winds, runs and sets smoothly, exactly as it should. We therefore have no hesitation in offering our 12-month warranty on the movement of this watch*.
*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 18ct solid pink gold case has swept-back lugs which raise the case slightly on the wrist and emphasises its presence. At 36mm in diameter, excluding the correct unsigned crown, this would have been classed as an oversized watch by the standards of its day.
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. Importantly, 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’ and carries the case serial number 378250 and the model ref number 2919. 18ct 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.
As ever our standard advice applies: vintage watches should be kept clean and dry at all times.
The Strap & Buckle
A high quality dark blue crocodile strap has been fitted, along with a pink gold-plated Omega buckle. We feel the strap matches the watch nicely, 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, however, we 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 1959.
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 high quality hardwood presentation box shown in the photographs is included with this watch.
In Conclusion
This is a first class example of a highly collectable and highly practical vintage gold watch from one of horology’s most famous names which will provide an excellent financial investment as well as be something to use, wear, treasure and enjoy! This will make an excellent evening wear dress watch as well as a practical highly accurate and reliable timepiece to use on an everyday basis.
Vintage Omega watches are highly collectable and the rarity of this watch means the value will always remain strong. This watch will make an excellent investment and family heirloom piece and 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 these 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 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 deliver 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 this.
We will be happy to Service, Repair or Restore your watch, all at ‘sensible’ prices. Please see here.
If you have any questions, please call us on 0207 727 7095 or if calling from overseas on +44 207 727 7095.
Please take a look at our other fine vintage gold watches.
Andrew M via feefo 
3rd December 2024 
JLC1891 
