104th Auction

2021/5/22

Lot 73

Omega

An ultra-thin vintage wristwatch, produced on April 18, 1944 and delivered to James SA, Rue Saint-Francois 6, Lausanne, Switzerland - with Omega extract from the archives

estimated
1.8003.500 €
Price realized
-
specific features
Case
Steel, push back with fixation ring, "Omega" buckle.
Dial
Black, luminous Arabic numerals.
Movement
Automatic.
Ref.CK2374
Cal.30.10RA PC
Diam.35 mm
Circa1944
Ctry.Swiss
Wt.1 g


This model is one of Omega’s first automatic watches and also the flattest ever model to be made in serial production.
The watch was launched in 1943 and had a frequency of 19,800 beats, which set the standard for most Omega calibres until the mid 1960s. The oscillating weight is limited by a spring-loaded buffer and provides a relatively slow, unidirectional wind. Henri Gerber, who was technical director at the time, preferred the weight to a rotor because it was more robust, heavier and consequently more powerful. This permitted a flat movement design which could consequently be fitted into equally flat and very elegant cases.
Source: Marco Richon, "Omega", Bienne 2007, p. 254.
This timepiece is in beautiful original condition with lyre-shaped lugs and brushed band. The charmingly aged dial is particularly attractive – time and outside influence gave it a marvellous, marbled appearance, which lends the watch a new and fascinating beauty.