Omega Ref CK 2404, Rose Gold, 38mm, Cal 33.3 Circa 1948

This an extremely rare, oversized pink gold chronograph wristwatch with extended lugs manufactured by Omega in 1948. The heart of the watch is the Caliber 33.3 CHRO manual movement, 17 jewels, 18,000 vph. The watch features a silvered matte dial, raised hour markers, engine-turned subsidiary dials for constant seconds and 30 minute register, large circular case, snap on dust cover, enlarged downturned lugs, oval chronograph buttons. Case, dial and movement signed. 38 mm. diameter.

Omega Caliber 33.3

Cal. 33.3 has its roots in the Cal. 28.9, designated 13CH by Lemania.  Caliber 28.9 (13 linges) was a 28.9mm (hence the label) 17-jewel, 18,000 vph, column wheel chronograph movement first unveiled in 1932. Cal. 28.9 gave way to the 33.3, a larger and thus more accurate and reliable caliber. Lemania manufactured this movement for both Omega and Tissot when the two companies merged in 1932. The improvements over 28.9 included a larger balance, and in 1942 the movement was further improved with variable-inertia balance screws and anti-shock / anti-magnetic properties. A new water-resistant version was made in 1949, three years before the end of production of the movement. In parallel, after a number of modifications to these predecessor movements, the Lemania Cal. 27 was born.

The Lemania Cal. 27 is known under a much more famous name: Omega Call. 321. That was the celebrated mechanism that was used in the first 11 years of the Omega Speedmaster production, and it was the caliber used in the Moonwatches of the Apollo missions. The connection to one of the most distinguished chronographs of all time makes Cal. 33.3 a favorite among collectors.

Scarcity is another reason for the collectability:  In the roughly 20-year production run of the Cal. 33.3., only 13,000 are believed to have been produced. Lastly, the Cal. 33.3 is a large movement that can trace its lineage directly to Omega pocket-watches of the past. This is only the second one we have handled in pink gold and is priced very well.

With a diameter of 38mm, these watches dwarfed other chronographs of the 1940s period, which generally measured 33-34mm. Also, this particular case model chosen for Cal. 33.3, has a remarkable modern wrist presence owing to its elongated downturned lugs.

Reference:                        CK2404, Circa 1948

Movement Number:      10757227

Case Number:                   10757227

Movement:                        Caliber 33.3 CHRO T5, 17-jewels, 18,000 vph

Diameter:  38 mm

Signed: Case, Dial, Movement

Accessories: Original Box and Extract from the Archives, Delivered on a new ABP Paris Square Grain Alligator Strap