I'm grinning, so I thought I should share with you all.

Some months ago I happened upon a sweet little bumper and, like everything I buy, it spoke to me. No, this one screamed at me! The cosmetic condition of the case was just unbelievable. I don't think there's so much as a brush mark on it let alone a scratch or any rubbing.



The movement was filthy so off she went to an extremely trustworthy elf ... and back she came today.

Now, she was a long time gone because she needed a new setting lever and it seems to have taken a while to arrive; then my elf went away; and, then I did. Here she is:



The serial number suggests a date of 1948 but Omega and the Venerable Maddox both claim that this watch was first made in 1949; the 342 movement was also supposedly first made in 1949. That 342 (and doesn't it look shiny!) was an evolution of the 29, 10RA and, as far as I understand, just had the inclusion of a bridge covering the bumper springs. The case, though. Did I mention the case? Cos I love this case. Just in case you hadn't realised. The case is in steel with rolled gold lugs and bezel. Glancing at it on your wrist, it looks like a superb deco dress watch and then you catch the contrast of the mid-case and it makes you double take.

As all bumper owners know, the movement reminds you once in a while that it's on your wrist and then you find yourself twisting your hand to make it bump.

With this little beauty on my wrist (and I have 8 inch wrists), I do wonder why people demand big watches.

The only question I have at all is the crown. Personally, I think it's a replacement as it's just a little wider than the image on the omega site (https://www.omegawatches.com/media/...92d86c6d221abfe/i/m/image-vintage-CK-2581.jpg) but i'd appreciate input from the hive mind on that. I do have this one at 4.54 OD and 2.12mm thick in my little spares box.

 

Just a Monday morning bump to see if anyone who doesn't read the forums over the weekend has a thought about that crown?