Omega Automatic Bumper Ref. 2446 (Vintage Gold-Cap)
Dress Watch (Vintage Subcategory) · Omega (Swatch Group), luxury tier, historic Swiss manufacturer renowned for precision and durability
Period: Mid-Century (1940s-1950s) with characteristic teardrop lugs and sector-style track
Type
Dress Watch (Vintage Subcategory)
Brand
Omega (Swatch Group), luxury tier, historic Swiss manufacturer renowned for precision and durability
Movement
Automatic bumper self-winding mechanical movement (Omega Caliber 344 / 351 family), 17 jewels, 19,800 vph, approx. 42-hour power reserve
Dimensions
Case diameter: 35mm, case thickness: 11mm, lug-to-lug: 42mm, lug width: 18mm
Description
This vintage Omega Automatic embodies the elegance of mid-century watchmaking. Featuring a striking glossy black dial accented by warm gilt typography and dauphine hands, it showcases the classic 35mm proportion favored during the era. Driven by an early bumper automatic movement, it offers collectors a tactile winding experience unique to the period, making it a quintessential vintage dress piece.
Key Features
Early Omega bumper automatic movement, rare and striking glossy black gilt dial with Arabic numerals 12-3-9, small seconds subdial at 6 o'clock, and classic teardrop lugs
Dial Description
Glossy black dial with gilt applied Arabic numerals at 12, 3, and 9, dagger markers, dauphine hands, small seconds subdial at 6 o'clock, and outer minute track
Case Material
Gold-cap / Gold-filled over stainless steel with polished finishing
Crystal Type
Domed acrylic / hesalite crystal with light surface scratching
Bezel Details
Fixed smooth bezel integrated into the gold-cap case construction
Crown & Pushers
Small unsigned push-pull crown located at the 3 o'clock position
Bracelet or Strap
Vintage gold-toned expansion link bracelet with textured center panels
Caseback Details
Solid stainless steel snap-on caseback, likely engraved on the interior with Omega watch corporation reference markers and serial number
Movement Type
Automatic bumper self-winding mechanical movement (Omega Caliber 344 / 351 family), 17 jewels, 19,800 vph, approx. 42-hour power reserve
Water Resistance
None / Splash resistant only. Vintage dress watches from this era were not designed to be water-resistant and should be kept strictly away from liquids.
Origin & Provenance
Swiss Made, manufactured in Bienne, Switzerland with an in-house Omega bumper automatic movement
Age Estimate
Circa 1950s production based on dial layout, bumper automatic caliber era, and case style
Cultural Significance
Represents the post-WWII boom in wristwatch popularity, showcasing Swiss engineering mastery and the shift toward everyday automatic wristwatches for the discerning gentleman.
Condition Notes
Very Good vintage condition. Case shows moderate signs of wear with slight gold-cap softening at high points. Acrylic crystal has typical surface scuffs easily polished out. Dial remains well-preserved with intact gilt print. Movement functions properly but would benefit from a professional service.
Value Estimate
Estimated secondary market value ranges between $800 to $1,800 USD depending heavily on the precise movement caliber, maintenance history, and originality of the dial and hands.
Care & Maintenance
Requires gentle handling due to vintage age. Keep away from water and moisture as water resistance gaskets have degraded. Recommended professional mechanical service every 5 to 7 years to prevent wear on the bumper mechanism.
Similar Watches
Longines Conquest Automatic, Universal Genève Polerouter, Rolex Datejust (Vintage), Tissot Star Automatic
Interesting Facts
Omega's bumper automatic movements (so named because the oscillating weight bounced back and forth against springs rather than rotating 360 degrees) represent the crucial stepping stone between manual-wind watches and modern fully-rotor-driven automatics.