Jul 6

Jul 6 The 1940's Omega Automatic in Steel

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The 1940’s was a huge period of time for Omega. So much innovation in watchmaking happened during this time, and this steel Omega Automatic is a great example of just that. Omega not only created incredible watches from an aesthetic perspective, but also pushed forward their agenda to produce high quality, innovative movements that displayed their ability as a brand and stamped them into the history books.

The Omega Automatic is a steel, 35mm cased watch that on its onset is a fairly simple piece. The case has a high polish finish to it and sits nicely on the wrist. The dial, originally white, has faded to a nice cream colour. It has applied hour markets and an Omega logo at 6 o’clock. The 12 o’clock indicator is in Breguet font which personally I absolutely love. If only the other hour markers had a similar design. The dial also has a sub-seconds indicator at 6 o’clock, seen in many Omega’s of this time.

The watch is running on the caliber 342; the same movement seen in this Omega covered recently on the site. The caliber 342 is one of Omega’s first series of automatic movement. The movement is a bumper movement and was initially produced under the name Cal.28.10 RA PC from 1942 to 1949. Throughout this time, Omega introduced some other calibers, namely the 330 series of movements which included the caliber 332 which was used in the Omega Seamaster’s from 1947- 1948. Omega then introduced the caliber 342 in 1949 and used it through until 1955. So not only does this watch has aesthetically pleasing features, it is significant in the history of automatic movements produced by Omega.

There were approximately 1.3 million caliber 342 movements produced, of which about half a million were chronometers. The movement has 42 hours of power reserve, and is in very good condition, running well in this example. The watch is on a stretch bracelet, which personally, feels off for this watch. Throw on a nice light brown strap, and this watch really comes to life.

The watch is available on our store here.

Enjoy!