I consider this watch a grail - not because it is particularly valuable (it's not at least not yet) but because it is rare and is significant in vintage omega history. I will show first only a picture of the inner caseback. There are regulars in the Purists who will surely get it and I am interested to see how we do over here.
Just one look at the markings hint to me it's a pre-1950 model and most likely a manual wind. I'm out of the running. Good luck guys!
Well 1939, assuming the case # is somewhere near the movement #, I would suspect it is one of the first series of 30mm movements , not a 30 or T1, perhaps one of the original first 1000 T2s ?
Snapback... Staybrite marking on the caseback... I think that's the key, as it wasn't used on much, it was a weird high chromium alloy of steel from memory, something to give it a bit more bling factor at the cost of mechanical properties over more typical grades of Stainless. How about, CK 2097 30mm manual wind sub second movement, larger case, 1939/1940.
Getting much warmer - you've got the case reference right but why is it a grail? Steve is in the ballpark but hasn't hit the nail on the head yet.
Wait 30T2 is too late for 1940, the Cal 30 came out in 1939, and won its first Kew Observatory competition in 1940, has to be one of those
I'm going to lock in that answer, if it were a chronometer or an observatory regulated piece it'd be crazy expensive, but if its an early CK2097 its not a chonometer or anything special but rather a very first generation of the 30mm movement that evolved into the 30T2RG and Tourbillon of later decades.
I suppose giving us the actual serial number would have been too easy. I'll keep an eye out. I the mean time I'll have to settle for my 92xxxxx
Looked over at the other site. It took them about 12 hours to get to the right answer. It took about 15 hours here before you flipped over all the cards. Certainly no help from me...I totally got it wrong. Not bad guys, gatorcpa
Nope not bad. I'm not counting Bill Sohne but it was actually Ben (deGeus in the purists) who actually wrote about the first 600 for a magazine some years ago.