It is supremely elegant with a timeless case and beautiful combination of gold leaf hour and minute hands with blue steel seconds.
In 1945, for the first time Omega submitted two chronometer wristwatches to the Geneve Observatory for its renowned annual timing competition, a global contest for fine Swiss firms to showcase their watchmaking abilities. Incredibly, one of the two Omegas took first place honors, beating out watches entered by Patek Philippe and Rolex.
Over the next several years, these chronometers with their special, award-winning Caliber 30 T2 RG movements, would go on to win numerous awards, break long-standing timing records, outperform tourbillons, and earn their place in history among the finest observatory chronometers ever built.
This example is a true time-capsule piece. A childhood friend of mine who I hadn't heard from in years and isn't a watch dealer but follows Connoisseur of Time found it and purchased it at a local garage sale. He then reached out to me for identification help and to ask if I was interested in purchasing it.
It is a true barn find gem whose untouched dial is in better than near mint condition - a feat for one of these 75 year old chronometers in a non-water resistant case - and whose case has never been polished. It has sharp edges and is just short of mint.
It is all-original. The only part that we replaced was the crystal because of age, not wear.
Our watchmaker has disassembled it down to the last screw and cleaned and oiled the movement. It is near pristine. We installed a brand new mineral crystal to give a clear view to the extreme edges of the minute track.
For the finishing touch we have equipped it with a brand new crocodile strap making it ready for immediate enjoyment.
Included with the purchase is a one-year C.O.T. warranty on the movement and its function and a custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity, and a new timing certificate.
A history of the record setting Omega Chronometers can be found in Anton Kreuzer's excellent book Omega Designs: Feast for the Eyes in his chapter "Timing Contests and Omega." A similar watch is published in John Goldberger's work Omega Watches, 2005, pg. 98.
- Manufacturer: Omega
- Country of origin: Switzerland
- Serial no.: 10,332,126
- Year built: c. 1945
- Functions: Chronometer Time, Subsidiary Seconds
- Designed for: Men
- Case material: 18K gold
- Case markings (inside): Omega, Swiss Made, 18K (0.750), 10692432
- Case condition: Just short of mint. Unpolished with very slight wear and one scratch on the left side of the bottom left lug. Crisp unpolished lines. Presents beautifully on the wrist.
- Dimensions: 33mm wide (excluding crown), 41mm long lug tip-to-tip
- Dial: Silver, applied gold Arabic numerals and dot indexes, outer minute track, subsidiary seconds dial, original and untouched, better than near mint condition
- Hands: Original, yellow gold "feuilles"
- Movement markings: Omega Watch Co., Swiss, Seventeen Jewels, Adjusted 5 positions and temperature, 30T2RG caliber (written under balance wheel)
- Movement type: Omega 30 T2 RG mechanism, first Omega caliber to be copper colored, luxury version of the 30 mm chronometer movement. T2 = Upgraded (transformation), RG = Micrometer Regulator Details: Precision regulator, 17 jewels, straight line lever escapement, cut bi-metallic balance, self-compensating Breguet balance spring
- Jewels: 17 rubies
- Band: Crocodile, fully stitched, padded and lined for comfort, brand new and unused, equipped with unsigned buckle.
- Crystal type: Mineral glass, mint condition. We installed a brand new mineral crystal to give a clear view to the extreme edges of the minute track.
- Serviced: One of our watchmakers has disassembled it down to its last screw and cleaned and oiled it making it ready for immediate enjoyment. Your watch is important to us, and we will take care of it for its lifetime. We provide the best after sale care in the business with an experienced team of watchmakers both of whom each have over forty years of experience and a large number of parts.
- Timing: Timed to precision on a state-of-the-art computerized system.
- Warranty: 1-year C.O.T. international warranty. Please email [email protected] for details.
- Box/Papers: BOX - Connoisseur of Time watch presentation box; PAPERS - Custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity; New timing certificate
- Returns: 7 days full refund. 100% satisfaction guarantee
