A seriously important early automatic Omega, dating to 1948 and housing the exceptionally rare calibre 343 bumper automatic chronometer movement.
This is one of the transitional watches produced just before the Seamaster and Constellation lines became fully established, representing Omega at a hugely important point in their post-war history. The movement alone makes this piece highly collectible.
Housed in a solid 18ct gold case measuring approximately 33.5mm excluding crown, the watch features a beautifully balanced silver dial with applied gilt numerals and markers, subsidiary seconds and elegant dauphine hands. The watch retains the desirable “Chronometre” text, denoting Omega’s highest-grade precision movements of the era.
Powering the watch is the celebrated Omega calibre 343 — an early bumper automatic chronometer movement introduced in the late 1940s. These movements were developed directly from Omega’s observatory-grade chronometer calibres and represent some of the finest automatic movements the company produced during the period. The 343 is particularly sought after due to its deluxe finishing, chronometer specification and relative scarcity compared with later bumper automatics.
The “bumper” automatic system is one of the most charming early automatic winding designs. Rather than a full-rotor movement, the oscillating weight swings through an arc and gently “bumps” against springs within the case — something collectors specifically seek out for both the tactile feel and historical significance. Omega were pioneers of this technology during the 1940s.
1948 was also the year Omega launched the first Seamaster models, making watches from this immediate period especially collectible. Many enthusiasts consider these pre-Seamaster and early chronometer bumper Omegas among the most undervalued vintage Omega references today.
The movement serial dates the watch to 1948, placing it amongst Omega’s very earliest chronometer-grade bumper automatics. Watches with calibre 343 movements were produced in far smaller numbers than later Omega automatics and are increasingly difficult to find, particularly in solid gold cases.
Condition is honest throughout, with surface marks and wear consistent with age. The solid 18ct case remains strong, with the caseback alone weighing approximately 7.5g. The movement is running well on the timegrapher with strong amplitude.
A genuinely scarce and historically important vintage Omega.
Details:
Omega Automatic Chronometre
Solid 18ct gold case
Extremely rare Omega calibre 343 bumper automatic movement
Chronometer-grade movement
Circa 1948
Pre-Seamaster era
Approx. 33.5mm excluding crown
Subsidiary seconds
Applied gilt numerals and markers
Signed Omega crown
Running well
Surface marks throughout
Leather strap fitted
A seriously important early automatic Omega, dating to 1948 and housing the exceptionally rare calibre 343 bumper automatic chronometer movement.
This is one of the transitional watches produced just before the Seamaster and Constellation lines became fully established, representing Omega at a hugely important point in their post-war history. The movement alone makes this piece highly collectible.
Housed in a solid 18ct gold case measuring approximately 33.5mm excluding crown, the watch features a beautifully balanced silver dial with applied gilt numerals and markers, subsidiary seconds and elegant dauphine hands. The watch retains the desirable “Chronometre” text, denoting Omega’s highest-grade precision movements of the era.
Powering the watch is the celebrated Omega calibre 343 — an early bumper automatic chronometer movement introduced in the late 1940s. These movements were developed directly from Omega’s observatory-grade chronometer calibres and represent some of the finest automatic movements the company produced during the period. The 343 is particularly sought after due to its deluxe finishing, chronometer specification and relative scarcity compared with later bumper automatics.
The “bumper” automatic system is one of the most charming early automatic winding designs. Rather than a full-rotor movement, the oscillating weight swings through an arc and gently “bumps” against springs within the case — something collectors specifically seek out for both the tactile feel and historical significance. Omega were pioneers of this technology during the 1940s.
1948 was also the year Omega launched the first Seamaster models, making watches from this immediate period especially collectible. Many enthusiasts consider these pre-Seamaster and early chronometer bumper Omegas among the most undervalued vintage Omega references today.
The movement serial dates the watch to 1948, placing it amongst Omega’s very earliest chronometer-grade bumper automatics. Watches with calibre 343 movements were produced in far smaller numbers than later Omega automatics and are increasingly difficult to find, particularly in solid gold cases.
Condition is honest throughout, with surface marks and wear consistent with age. The solid 18ct case remains strong, with the caseback alone weighing approximately 7.5g. The movement is running well on the timegrapher with strong amplitude.
A genuinely scarce and historically important vintage Omega.
Details:
Omega Automatic Chronometre
Solid 18ct gold case
Extremely rare Omega calibre 343 bumper automatic movement
Chronometer-grade movement
Circa 1948
Pre-Seamaster era
Approx. 33.5mm excluding crown
Subsidiary seconds
Applied gilt numerals and markers
Signed Omega crown
Running well
Surface marks throughout
Leather strap fitted
Image 1 of 10
Image 2 of 10
Image 3 of 10
Image 4 of 10
Image 5 of 10
Image 6 of 10
Image 7 of 10
Image 8 of 10
Image 9 of 10
Image 10 of 10