For the serious Omega connoisseur, few things are more exciting than finding an example of one of the company's much sought after and elusive models...
Our offering today showcases a quite rare Omega chronometer model, the Ref. 14311. These watches are one of the very interesting late 40's and early 50's Omegas, and their history has not yet been fully established.
Omega's official history book, Omega: A Journey through Time lists the model as a Globemaster, although that label may be an oversight.
This is the third such "plain bent lug ref. 14311 chromometre" we have owned. These were an early chronometer offering whose introduction pre-dated the Constellation. They seem to have helped bridge a chronometer gap between the Centenary chronometers in 1948 and the release of the first Constellation in 1952.
In Omega's official anthology book, Omega: A Journey through Time, Marco Richon, Omega's Museum curator and a client of our ours believes that case OT 143.11 was one of the first Constellation models ever produced and notes that the word Constellation was omitted from the dial because the name was owned by Lockheed.
Powering the watch is a caliber 352 "bumper" movement worked up to chronometer status, the same 35x series that powered the first Constellations.
Interestingly, these watches were not fitted with the usual applied star marker found at the '6' position on Constellations.
It presents in beautiful restored condition. The dial has been restored, and the case presents in pleasing condition still retaining strong lines and a clear hallmark.
Our Master Watchmaker has fully serviced the watch which consists of fully disassembling the movement, carefully inspecting each part, replacing any overly worn components with new Omega parts, reassembling and lubricating the movement, and extensive timing testing and regulation (a $795 value).
For the finishing touch we have also equipped it with a genuine new-old-stock Omega strap making it ready for immediate enjoyment
A previous 14311 we owned was written about by our friend and prominent Constellation expert Desmond Guilfoyle on .
A copy of the original vintage ad can be found in Marco Richon's Omega: A Journey through Time, 2007, pg. 363.
- Manufacturer: Omega
- Country of origin: Switzerland
- Serial no.: 12,334,797
- Year made: c. 1951
- Model: Chronometer, Ref. 14311
- Functions: Hours, Minutes, Sweep Seconds, Automatic
- Designed for: Men
- Case material: 18K gold
- Case markings (inside): Omega Watch Co., Swiss Made, 18K, 14311
- Case condition: Near mint plus with light wear. A couple of tiny indentions in back. Bezel has been perfectly restored.
- Dimensions: 35mm wide (excluding crown) 43mm long lug tip-to-tip
- Dial: Silver with somewhat unusual long faceted gold applied markers, outer minute/seconds track with 1/5 markings, professionally restored
- Hands: Genuine Omega, gold, rounded dauphines, new-old-stock
- Movement type: Cal. 352, copper-colored, 17 jewels, straight line lever escapement, monometallic balance adjusted to 5 positions and temperatures, shock absorber, self-compensating flat balance spring, micrometer regulator
- Width between lugs: 18mm
- Band: Genuine Omega, fully stitched, padded, brand new and unworn with unsigned buckle
- Crystal type: Acrylic, excellent condition
- Serviced: Our Master Watchmaker has fully serviced the watch which consists of fully disassembling the movement, carefully inspecting each part, replacing any overly worn components with new Omega parts, reassembling and lubricating the movement, and extensive timing testing and regulation (a $795 value).
Your watch is important to us, and we will take care of it for its lifetime. We provide the best after sale care in the business with an experienced team of watchmakers both of whom each have over forty years of experience and a large number of parts. - Timing: Timed to precision on a state-of-the-art computerized system.
- Warranty: 1-year warranty. Please email [email protected] for details.
- Box/Papers: BOX - Connoisseur of Time watch presentation box; PAPERS - Custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity; New timing certificate
- Returns: 7 days full refund. 100% satisfaction guarantee
