Once they were intended for a small number of collectors, today they are becoming increasingly popular.
The Twentieth Century will forever remain marked by the two World Wars, which divided nations and left a devastating mark on history. At the heart of every conflict were the soldiers who risked, and often gave, their lives for their countries. Many of the allied military had Omega timepieces as their survival tools. The brand was one of the largest watch suppliers during both wars and is still recognized today for the fundamental role it played.
World War I
When the First World War broke out in 1914, certain qualities̀ made Omega the perfect supplier of military watches. Accuracy was certainly the most important. In fact, the brand had an important record history among observers, proof of the precision of its timepieces. Even more important was Omega's manufacturing ability, that is the possibility of being able to deliver large quantities of pocket and wrist watches. Omega very quickly became the first choice of the Ministry of Defense of Great Britain (MoD) as well as of the allies. As the battle moved into the trenches, Omega wrist chronographs, which were among the first ever made, became an essential tool for commanding officers. By timing the exact difference between the lightning bolt and the sound of the opposite fire, they were able to determine the enemy's distance, which is valuable information when planning an attack.
The Second World War
Omega's fame continued throughout the Second World War. In fact, the brand delivered to the MoD more than 110,000 watches for navigators, pilots and soldiers of the Air Force and Navy. This meant that more than 50% of the Swiss watches delivered to Great Britain during the war all came from a single company, Omega, while all the other brands shared the remaining 50%. From Great Britain to the United States, from France to Greece, all allies have benefited from Omega timepieces.
The legacy
With the Allied victory in the War, British general Lord Montgomery, hero of El Alamein and Operation Overlord, requested to visit Omega's factory in Biel, Switzerland. During two separate visits, one official and one private, he expressed his satisfaction with the Omega watches produced during the war and met the company representatives to thank them for the help provided by the maison. Omega would continue to produce military watches in the future as well. Lessons learned by Omega during both conflicts have strengthened the brand's skills and capabilities. It was a very important test that led to the birth of the iconic Seamaster collection in 1948, shortly after the end of the war.
The CK2129 was the Omega watch most worn by RAF personnel in the early days of World War II. Its rotating bezel was invaluable for pilots and navigators during missions because it allowed them to time specific time intervals which, for example, became crucial during bombing. The rotating bezel could also be blocked by the second crown of the watch, so that time was not altered by accidental bumps
ADVICE It is not easy to find one of these models, also because elite collectors have not yet fully understood and evaluated them. This could be a great advantage, as it could also happen to do some good business, perhaps outside the conventional channels. It may therefore not be impossible to find it in some antique dealers, especially in England, or in some flea markets, especially in the stalls dedicated to military memorabilia. In any case, a careful restoration and a beautiful Nato strap will make these timepieces extraordinary companions in everyday life. With a touch of charm that Omega manages to give.
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