Omega Bumper Automatic Ref.2421/1 1947

Omega Watches

Since the company was founded in 1848, Omega has pioneered a huge range of technical innovations in watchmaking. 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 into space on NASA’s Mercury Sigma 7 mission, and in 1969 two Omega Speedmasters were the first watches to arrive on the moon, worn by Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin.

Description

Here we a have a wonderful example of a completely original, unrestored, untouched and extremely unique 1940s, gentleman’s bumper automatic Omega, with a good sized 35mm stainless steel watch case in beautiful condition. This watch contains the high quality Omega, Calibre 332, 17 Jewel bumper automatic movement which is also in wonderful condition.

The Dial

Simply beautiful! Completely original, unrestored and untouched off-white dial with applied ‘stud’ hour indices and ‘2 – 4 – 6 – 8 – 10 – 12’ Roman numerals, which are swept by original ‘Leaf’ hands. All of these incredible features give this watch a very unique feel and makes this watch very easy to read when on the wrist.

Please note – the dial is fully original and unrestored rather than restored to retain originality, charm and character. We use a very high definition camera and macro lens which picks up every detail, much more so than the naked eye. The camera images, therefore, can be a little unflattering. In fact, if noticed at all, the effect is quite charming. However, if you would prefer to buy this watch with a restored dial, we will be pleased to arrange this at a nominal charge.

The dial is simply signed ‘Omega Automatic’ along with the Omega brand at the very top of the dial below 12.

As this dial is in original, unrestored condition, this has been left untouched by our restoration team due to its superb condition. Usually, we restore the dials of the watches we sell, however we decided in this case to leave it alone, due to its unusually good condition and to retain its originality and charm for those who prefer this. It also helps to contrast with almost all of the other watch dials you see on our website, which have been restored. The hands, likewise, have also been left in their original untouched condition.

Please note, studio lights, professional-grade digital cameras, and macro lenses can be very unkind to an unrestored vintage watch dial. Also the dial here measures less than 1.25 inches across, so the image you’re seeing may be between 5 – 25 times larger than the watch itself. Therefore please keep in mind you are seeing many tiny flaws which cannot be seen, or will be very hard to see with the naked eye, even under close examination. Suffice to say, on the wrist, in natural light, this dial looks much better and carries a great deal more charm than the photographs portray.

The Movement

The Omega Cal.332, 17 Jewel bumper automatic movement fitted to this watch was one of Omega’s most successful movements, remaining in production for over 20 years.

Manufactured by Omega between 1940 and 1963, the Omega Cal.332 movement is very highly regarded for its accuracy and reliability, making this watch perfectly suited for everyday use, as well as evening wear. The movement is in tip-top condition having been overhauled and serviced by our vintage Omega specialist watchmaker. This means it has been completely disassembled to all its component parts, carefully inspected under high magnification, replacement where necessary with only genuine Omega parts before careful reassembly and adjustment and calibration. The watch winds, sets and runs perfectly accurately and reliably within +13 seconds per day, averaged over 5 positions. This is excellent for any watch of this age and has been confirmed on our electronic watch timegrapher. The movement also has an excellent 45-hour power reserve when fully wound. We are therefore more than confident in offering 12 months’ warranty with this watch movement*.

The movement is correctly signed ‘Omega’, ‘Swiss’ and ‘17 Jewels’, along with the Calibre 332, along with the serial number 107011268 which dates this watch to 1947.

*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 stainless steel case has swept-back lugs which raise the case slightly on the wrist and emphasises its presence. At 35mm in diameter, excluding the correct Omega signed crown, this is a large sized 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. 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’, ‘Swiss Made’ and ‘Patent’ along with the model reference number 2421/1.

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 and Buckle

The watch is fitted with a high quality black lizard strap and Omega signed stainless steel buckle, which we feel suits the watch perfectly. If, however, 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 burgundy and black straps in stock, in plain, padded leather, alligator, crocodile or lizard skin.

Box and Papers

Although there are no original papers with this watch, the reference numbers, markings, signatures and hallmarks are all correct, dating this watch to 1947.

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”.

This watch comes complete with a high quality hardwood presentation box.

Payment and Delivery

If you would like to pay by bank transfer, we will be pleased to assist you with this and pass on a 3% 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 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 who happen to visit London 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 hand your watch directly to you there.

As with all our watches, this watch will be sold under our 14 days no-quibble sale or return policy.

In Conclusion

This is a first-class example of a highly collectable and highly practical vintage stainless steel 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.

A word on our prices – We always try our hardest to acquire the very highest quality watches we can find, before restoring them 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 means we will never be the cheapest, but nor will we be the most expensive. Indeed there are some well-known stores in West London which are highly 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.

Please note, we also welcome part exchanges. If you have a watch or a small collection for sale, please contact us as we will be happy to discuss this.

We will also be happy to Service your watch, Repair your watch or Restore your watch, all at ‘sensible’ prices. Please see here.

If you have any questions please call us on 020 7727 7095 or if calling from overseas on +44 207 727 7095.

Please take a look at our other fine vintage stainless steel watches.

Thank you