Manufacturer: Omega Year: 1940 Reference No: CK2186 Movement No: 9'150'939 Case No: 10'030'823 Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Manual, 15 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather strap Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel pin buckle Dimensions: 37mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial and movement signed Accessories: Accompanied by Omega Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch and its subsequent sale in 1940 in Germany
Catalogue Essay
The present watch features one of the most intriguing and appealing dial configuration ever seen on an Omega wristwatch. Defined by its two-tone sectorial-style configuration, the the dial presents an azurage decoration (textured concentric circles) to the center encircled by a black ring. The same black hue is also used for the running second counter at 6 o clock. Already a powerful combination, this design is further highlighted by the gilt graphics where the outer railway minute divisions are combined with Arabic hour markers of highly unusual style and disposition. These are arranged radially adjacent to the inner side of the railway divisions, but the cardinal markers (12, 3, 6 and 9) are larger, not radial and placed in superimposition of the railway divisions. Even the font employed is particular as it recalls he Bauhaus style but with a twist. While the Bauhaus numerals are usually very tall and very thin, in this instance, they are short and broad, still maintaining though the rounded corners and thin trait which define Bauhaus numerals.
Omega's rich history begins with its founder, Louis Brandt, who established the firm in 1848 in La Chaux de Fonds. In 1903, the company changed its name to Omega, becoming the only watch brand in history to have been named after one its own movements. A full-fledged manufacturer of highly accurate, affordable and reliable watches, its sterling reputation enabled them to be chosen as the first watch company to time the Olympic Games beginning in 1932. Its continued focus on precision and reliability ultimately led their Speedmaster chronograph wristwatch to be chosen by NASA in 1965 — the first watch worn on the moon.
Key models sought-after by collectors include their first, oversized water-resistant chronograph — the reference 2077, early Speedmaster models such as the CK 2915 and 2998, military-issued versions of the Seamaster and oversized chronometer models such as those fitted with their prestigious caliber 30T2Rg.