Manufacturer: Omega Year: 1939 Reference No: CK 2393 Movement No: 9’387’521 Case No: 9’555’697 Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Manual, cal. 33.3CH, 17 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather strap Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel pin buckle Dimensions: 37.5mm 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 Poland on July 5, 1939.
Catalogue Essay
This specimen of reference 2393 represents an exquisite example of early Omega chronographs. In fact, we are looking at a watch of a completely different conception than what will become the best-known Omega chronograph: the Speedmaster.
While the Speedmaster perfectly embodies the 1960s conception of chronograph as a professional timepiece for racers, thus incorporating a number of technical upgrades such as a waterproof case a very clean dial layout, the present watch harkens back to an exquisitely early-20th-century conception of the chronograph. In that optic, the chronograph is first and foremost a tool to be used by soldiers, technicians, workers etc. to accurately measure elapsed time as part of a professional task. Thus, the dial of this piece is highly elaborate: not only it presents an additional telemeter scale, but furthermore it features a tachymeter scale: to the usual outer track, four additional inner concentric tracks are added, allowing the measurement of speeds lower than 60 Km/h, down to 12 km/h.
The case construction as well is of much earlier conception than the screw-back, waterproof case of the Speedmaster. It’s architecture is 3-part with snap on back - typical of 1930s-1940s chronographs - with beautifully strong beveled lugs. The one element slightly unusual for the time is its generous 37.5mm diameter, which can be explained by the professional connotation of the watch, necessitating a larger diameter for improved legibility.
Two additional features render this timepiece supremely collectible: the overall condition of the piece is simply excellent, without signs of restoration and preserved in remarkable condition of both case and dial. The former perfectly preserves its proportions and architecture - most notably, the beveled lugs - while the latter is absolutely free of cosmetic enhancements or interventions, with flawless scales and designations, and it features an extremely light patina which strongly amplifies its character and vintage vibe. Last, but not least, this timepiece is powered by cal. 33.3CH, widely considered one of the greatest chronograph movements of all times, and undoubtedly a pinnacle of Omega production.
Incorporating highly vintage elements in an oversize stainless steel case, and one of the best-in-class movement of the time, the present piece is a very rare and attractive example of early chronograph by one of the most important and influential watchmaker brands: an unmissable opportunity for the collector of fine and early vintage wristwatches.
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.