Guide to OMEGA Wristwatches From 1940-1949
If you're looking to add a piece of history to your watch collection, check out OMEGA wristwatches from 1940-1949. Before, and after, the evolution of quartz technology, OMEGA was a world leader in accuracy. Founded in 1848, OMEGA is the official timekeeper of the Olympic games. Their watches have been everywhere, including outer space and on the wrist of James Bond.
What's the history of the OMEGA Seamaster?The Seamaster made its first appearance in 1948, marking the company's 100-year anniversary. The Seamaster is still in production, and it has seen many changes over its history. The original Seamaster was largely influenced by the British military watch made by OMEGA during World War II.
The Seamaster used an O-ring gasket to seal the watch case. It was waterproof to a depth of 60 meters. While the Seamaster has evolved into a world-class diver watch, it originally started out as a small men's dress watch. The case was made of steel or steel and gold. Notable features included highly legible dials and OMEGA'S signature precision timekeeping.
Do 1940s OMEGA watches have a secondhand?Many OMEGA watches from the 1940s did feature tracking for seconds. Some models had a central secondhand while other models counted seconds on a separate dial. The two different styles required different movement mechanics.
Were any 1940s OMEGA watches self-winding?While most watches from this time period did require manual winding, a number of automatic watches were available. Look for the word "bumper" to signify that it is a self-winding watch.
What are some features of OMEGA watches from 1940-1949?Omega watches from the 1940s came in a wide variety of sizes, shapes, and colors. The cases ranged in size from 15 mm to 47 mm. Watchbands were primarily leather or steel. Some specific features you can find on models from this time include:
- Moon phase
- Day and/or date indicator
- Month indicator
Yes, OMEGA did make elegant ladies' watches during this time period. Most of them were more rectangular-shaped than men's watches. Some were as narrow as 15 mm without the crown. Many were graced by diamonds, and some had delicate flowers on the face.
| OMEGA Calibre 30T2 PC | IWC Pilot Watch Ref. 431 | OMEGA 2374/5 | OMEGA 2503-13 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gender | Men's | Men's | Men's | Men's |
| Case Size | 39 mm | 55 mm | 35 mm | 36 mm |
| Secondhand | Separate dial | Central dial | Separate dial | Separate dial |
| Dial Style | Arabic numerals | Arabic numerals | Arabic numerals | Roman numerals |
| Automatic? | No | No | Yes | No |