Vintage Watches UK

The Dial

Omega has always made a handsome dial and here they certainly don't disappoint. The original brushed finish provides a smart and formal base for the original yellow gilt furnishings. Dauphine hands with faded inlays are paired with arrow-head and dagger hour indices.

The hands and hour indices are unpolished, like the case, which maintains the rugged-professional aesthetic of this watch. Lining the dials outer perimeter are black painted minute markers which add ample detail to properly balance utility and sleek minimalism.

This watch carries a sub-seconds dial with an immaculate circular grain. Matching the existing aesthetic, the sub-dial features black painted indices and a yellow gilt sub-seconds hand.

The dial is simply signed 'Omega' with 'Automatic' below and 'Swiss Made' just below 6.

The Case

This stainless-steel Omega signed Swiss-made case measures 35mm in diameter excluding the vintage replacement crown. The lugs are proud and curved and are slightly swept back to suit the shape of the wrist.

The case is of three-piece construction but not in a traditional sense. Usually, a three-piece case featured a bezel around the lens, here, a bezel around the case-back must be removed with a case-knife before removing the press-fit case-back. The case-back and bezel come off with a reassuring pop indicating a tight fit and that the case hasn’t been bent or warped over its lifetime.

At 35mm this is an oversized case for the time. In the early 1940s, most watch cases measured around 33mmm, as per the fashion. Very few of these larger watches were made and so when we find one in this condition we always make a strong effort to pick it up and make it available to our customers at a fair price.

Inscribed on the inside of the case is a Swiss patent marking, which we assume is for the unique case-back bezel. Below, reads 'Acier Inoxydable' translating to Stainless-Steel. The 'Omega Watch Co' triangle indicates this is an Omega Swiss-made watch case and the model reference number 2374 is inscribed below.

The Movement

Housed in this vintage watch case is the Swiss-made Omega Calibre 30 10 RA PC (renamed the Cal.330), 17 jewel, early bumper automatic movement.

First released in 1942, this was amongst the first of Omegas automatic movements and holds a serious legacy, highly appreciated amongst collectors. Automatic movements quickly became standard in manufactures flagship timepieces and you’d be hard pressed today to find a successful company still mass producing manual wind luxury watches.

During a previous service, a replacement part was sourced from another 300 series movement. This part carries the doner’s calibre number, 354. Beneath the balance wheel is the correct calibre number 30 10 RA PC. The movement is signed ‘Omega, Swiss, 17 Jewels’ and the movements serial number 9881774 which dates this watch to 1943.

Strap & Buckle

This watch has been fitted with a brand new brown genuine alligator strap and yellow gold plated buckle. If a different strap would be preferred, I can fit an 18mm strap provided by the buyer at no extra expense.

Conclusion

The watch is sold as-is. The watch will take a next day tracked and insured delivery service for the UK, and a 3-5 day service for customers abroad.

Please do get in touch with a member of our team with any questions. We are always happy to talk shop and negotiate a price that everyone's comfortable with.