Omega Gent's Watch

In the aftermath of the Second World War, Omega dived headlong into producing consumer pieces after having devoted their attention to manufacturing timepieces for men and machines. Inspired by those durable service watches, Omega sought to build watches that could be worn in more everyday conditions, watches that could look good on the wrist while also standing up to the onslaught of travel, weather and daily use. Many of these watches were infused with the lessons that Omega had learned while producing reliable wristwatches for servicemen: they used stainless steel cases with simple, stalwart movements, kept dials uncluttered and legible, and dotted them with radium for added visibility in low-light environs.

Even with these style notes coming right out the war-time guidebook, Omega took care to make their new consumer pieces beautiful, often using yellow and pink gold to cap their stainless cases, and introduced a variety of fancy lug styles. 

Many of these watches were built around Omega's early automatic movements, which would lay the groundwork for Omega's successful and enduring Constellation and Seamaster lines.

Though the earliest examples of automatic (or self-winding) watch movements were produced in the 18th Century, the concept was not perfected until the 1920s, when John Harwood filed his patent for an automatic wristwatch movement with an oscillating weight. Movement manufacturer A. Schild S.A. produced 10,000 of these movements for Fortis, Blancpain, and others.

But Omega resisted; in the words of Paul-Emile Brandt, “If our clients are too lazy to wind their watch everyday, then we should stop producing watches!”

However, in 1942, Omega produced its first automatic movements, the Caliber 30.10mm and 28.10mm. The watch featured here is a Reference CK2374/4, one of the flattest automatic watches produced during the 1940s, and contains the Caliber 30.10mm. With its flared lugs, it suggests the Constellation while its railroad-style dial and large radium numerals is reminiscent of the military watches produced during the War. 

Only 146,200 of these gorgeous, Art Deco watches were produced, making this one (with an early Omega strap and signed buckle) a rare and important example from this pivotal era in watch production.

Our Pledge

Analog:Shift stands behind the authenticity of our products in perpetuity.

Condition

Since our pieces are vintage or pre-owned, please expect wear & patina from usage and age. Please read each item description and examine all product images.

Warranty

We back each Analog:Shift vintage timepiece with a one-year mechanical warranty from the date of purchase.

International Buyers

Please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.

All of our watches include complementary insured shipping within the 50 states.

Most of our products are on hand and will ship directly from our headquarters in New York City. In some cases, watches will be shipped directly from one of our authorized partners.

We generally ship our products via FedEx, fully insured, within 5 business days of purchase. An adult signature is required for receipt of all packages for insurance purposes. Expedited shipping is available at an additional cost. We are also happy to hand deliver your purchase in Manhattan or you may pick it up at our showroom.

Returns must be sent overnight or by priority international delivery, fully insured and paid for by the customer. A restocking fee may apply. Watches must be returned in the same condition as initially shipped.

We welcome international buyers, please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.