It is very hard not to get excited by this special watch - a rare Omega with the most stunningly aged dial. It has a military-style dial with a bronze/copper-colour aged chapter ring and rare Roman numerals sitting just inside. The subsidiary seconds dial is larger than usual and the sleek, stick, blue-steel hands give the watch a sense of symmetry. The dial has aged in the most unusual way and we are very much in love with it - it is almost as though the dial has freckled.
Housed in the unpolished, stainless steel, three-piece case is Omega's famous 30T2 caliber, serviced by us and running strongly. The 30T2 is the movement inside their WWW military watches.
We have paired the watch on a new old stock, 1940s, Swiss-made, riveted bracelet, which complements the dial, but this watch also looks great on leather too!
Extra Points
Founded by Louis Brandt in 1848, Omega started out as La Generale Watch Co., an unassuming, but international business. It wasn't until 1885, when the company had been taken over by Louis' sons, that the first mass-produced caliber, the Labrador, was released. By 1903, the company had renamed itself Omega and only two years later were they the official timekeepers at many sporting events across Switzerland. Omega stepped onto an international stage in 1932 as the official timekeepers at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles, the first of over 20 Olympic Games. Omega were one of the 12 companies, now known as the Dirty Dozen, commissioned to produce watches for the British Military during the Second World War. One of Omega's most iconic watches, the Seamaster, was introduced in 1948 to celebrate their 100th anniversary. Over 70 years later, it is still one of Omega's best selling watches. Omega made headlines in 1962 when Wally Schirra wore the Speedmaster as part of NASA's first crewed spaceflight programme, making the Speedmaster the first watch to enter space. It was only a few years before the Speedmaster became the official chronograph for the American space missions and was worn by Buzz Aldrin as well as the Apollo 13 crew. Omega are still involved with NASA and have been instrumental in creating vital pieces of equipment for space exploration. Omega's reputation continued to soar in the 1990s with Omega Seamaster worn by Pierce Brosnan as James Bond. As well as post-1995 James Bonds, Omega has been worn by the likes of Elvis Presley, John F. Kennedy, Prince William, Rory McIlroy, Ringo Starr, Michael Phelps, Cindy Crawford and George Clooney.
For a watch of this age, we would recommended that it is considered for occasional use, once or twice a week. This is largely because watches of this age weren't built to deal with modern life. They do not have dust proofing, shock absorption and are easily magnetised. Please do try and keep the watch away from magnets such as computers, phones, speakers etc.
This watch has been fully serviced in our on-site workshop and comes with a 12 month, non-waterproof service cover.
What we think
This watch is a stunning example of a 1930s, military-style watch that would also work beautifully as a dress watch. If you're looking for an affordable, attractive and reliable vintage watch, you'd be pushed to find a better example. Perfect for a vintage-watch newbie or seasoned collector and it can be switched from bracelet to strap at your leisure.
Spec Stuff
Serial :945****
Movement :30T2 Age :1931/1940 Specific Age : 1939 Case Size :33mm Case Thickness : 9.5mm Lug to Lug : 38mm Lugs : 18mm Condition : Pre-Owned Box & Papers : No Case Material : Stainless Steel Service History : 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty
1939 Rare Omega Calatrava Military-Style Chapter Ring Patina Dial in Unpolished Stainless Steel on 1940s Bracelet Caliber 30T2
