An Oversized Stainless Steel Calatrava from Omega with Radium Dial
Circa: 1940s
Movement: Omega Cal. 30T2 PC manual-wind 15j movement
Case: 36mm; stainless steel with push-down crown and snap-on case back
Dial: Original faded black dial with luminous Arabic numerals and sub-seconds at 6 o'clock.
More about Omega:
The caliber 30T2 powered Omega's watches from 1939 to 1963. It set Omega's reputation for high chronometrical standards, winning numerous competitions. The 30T2 came in two varieties: the 30T2 SC--the SC denoting sweeping seconds--and the 30T2 PC, with sub-seconds and the added bonus of shock protection.
One of the first consumers of the 30T2-powered watches was the British military. Over 100,000 watches were ordered for British soldiers and airmen during World War II. Another client was the Swedish military, who equipped their soldiers with the Suverän model.
The present watch is an example of a 30T2 with a rare intact radium dial. The black of the original has faded to a grey, and the radium on the numerals and hands has acquired an even patina. While the 30T2 movement alone makes this watch collectible, the radium dial is sure to make it highly desirable.