OMEGA Automatic 10K GF Black Dial 1950s

Timegrapher +12s/d 222°

A gold dress watch from Omega's early automatic years, made in the 1950s. The glossy black dial carries gold Arabic numerals at 12, 3 and 9 with arrowhead markers between them, so the dial and the gold case read as one piece. Inside is the Cal.344, a 17-jewel "bumper" automatic. Its winding weight does not turn a full circle but swings back and forth and rebounds off small springs, which is where the name comes from. It is currently running to within about twelve seconds a day. We fitted it with a black lizard leather strap from PRINCIPE PRIVÉ, which keeps it sharp enough for a suit and relaxed enough for a sweater.

The case is 10K gold filled, and the inside of the caseback is stamped by the Star Watch Case Co., an American case maker, which shows this watch was cased in the United States for the American market. Scratches and marks from use are visible across the case, but there is no major damage. It measures 32.5mm across without the crown and 38mm lug to lug, with a 17.5mm lug width. A slim bezel and plain, tapering lugs keep the shape simple, and the size slips easily under a shirt cuff.

The dial is a deep, glossy black. Raised gold numerals and markers, gold dauphine hands and a small seconds register at six with a fine concentric finish make up the whole layout, with only OMEGA AUTOMATIC printed below the logo. Under light the black turns almost mirror-like and the gold stands out sharply against it, so the time is easy to read at a glance.