Vintage 1947 OMEGA wrist watch, s/steel with heavy gold capping Rare ref2581-1
Posted on September 22, 2022 | By admin
This is an absolutely stunningly, original and very rare looking wrist watch dating to 1947. It is so rare that there are currently no others with this reference number for sale on any other platform that I can find as I write this. This actual watch has been featured in articles on the Omega forum platform and in this condition I would say all but unique. This is a first iteration of the 2581 and the first appearance of the calibre 342. The watch is unmolested and original with a wonderful patina just beginning to develop nicely. It really would be a challenge to find a better example for sale outside of collectors’ circles or a museum. The mid-case and back are stainless steel. The stainless steel bezel and lugs are capped in 14k yellow gold and are in excellent condition. There is no damage or loss and all bevels are intact. The watch has never been polished or molested in any way and is in the condition that collectors demand. As I hope you can see the dial has aged gracefully with only minor age spots in the lacquer that are visible at certain angles and in certain lights: The Arabic numerals are in painted lume which has obviously long since ceased to glow and have aged beautifully to a mellow yellow. There is no lume loss, which is remarkable given how old it is. The needle hands are also original and have aged to a slightly contrasting yellow that I think you’ll agree looks vey good. Inside the case beats a “bumper” calibre 342 movement. The movement was serviced in September 2018 which included some new parts (mainspring and second wheel) but retains all the original bridges which match each other very well. It has had very little wrist time since then and keeps quite accurate time so will not need servicing in the near future. As mentioned this is a 342 calibre movement which is known as a bumper: Early automatics relied on the auto-winder’bumping’ backwards and forwards between two springs to maintain power. Later automatic watches have a fully rotating action. Early bumper movements such as the 342 were not as efficient as modern rotary action automatics so if you are not active during the day it may need a wind up in the morning. I have found when I’m working I need not wind it but when I couch potato it needs a quick wind in the morning. The movement is signed with the Omega name and it has the serial number 11462890 which how one is able to date it so accurately to 1947. ?? The watch itself measures 32mm in diameter without the crown and 35mm with the crown; it is 40mm in length. The stainless steel case with gold capped lugs and bezel are in remarkable condition as I hope the pictures show. The rest of case is also in similar condition and the winding crown is also gold capped. (not sure if is the original). The inside of the case back has the Omega triangular logo and also the case reference 2581-1 which is correct for the calibre 342 movement. ?? The plexiglass is in good condition. ?? A real Ostrich paw strap has been fitted along with an Omega signed pin buckle. So all in all a genuinely rare Omega in collectors/museum condition which will also attract those who enjoy mid-century classics. This item is in the category “Jewellery & Watches\Watches, Parts & Accessories\Watches\Wristwatches”. The seller is “veryinteresting2″ and is located in this country: GB. This item can be shipped to United Kingdom, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, United States, Canada, Norway, Mexico, Bermuda, Guernsey, Gibraltar, Iceland, Jersey, Liechtenstein, Monaco.
- Features: Small Second
- Case Size: 32 mm
- Dial Colour: Cream
- Department: Men, Unisex Adults
- Display: Analogue
- Strap Material: Ostrich paw
- Indices: Arabic Numerals
- Case Material: Stainless Steel/gold
- Water Resistance: Not Water Resistant
- Year Manufactured: 1940-1949
- Model: 2581-1
- Customised: No
- Bezel Colour: Gold
- With Papers: No
- With Original Box/Packaging: No
- Reference Number: 2581-1
- Strap Colour: Brown
- Band/Strap: Two-Piece Strap
- Brand: OMEGA
- Style: Classic
- Case Colour: Steel/gold
- Movement: Mechanical (Automatic)
- Type: Wristwatch