Here we have an uncommon 1939 Omega ‘Teddington’ Red Star, produced exclusively for the Brazilian market. It has a 32.5mm stainless steel case with the snap-on bezel and case back. The straight lugs are thin with the hard angle to the wrist. The dial is the aged silver tone with speckled patination. It has the black minute track with alternating dash and applied Roman numeral hour markers. The dial is marked with the ‘Omega’ name and logo with the Red Star below. The hands are of index style with the tapered central second. To the right is the thin onion crown. Inside is the Omega 30T2 PC movement, which is the same calibre that won the famous award at Teddington Observatory. It has been recently serviced and has a daily variation within 1 minute per day.
It is known as the ‘Teddington’ due to the prize won by Omega at the Teddington Observatory. The Chronometer certificate prizes were the ultimate accolade for watchmaking companies. The observatory was originally located at Kew in England, before it was relocated to Teddington in 1912. Here in 1936 Omega set an all time record for an observatory watch with their pocket watch calibre 47.7. It was regulated by Alfred Jaccard and scored an incredible 97.8/100. The record was broken again by Omega in 1943 with the 30T2RG movement, which is the 30T2 in the Red Star range.
The Red Star emblem below the Omega signing on the dials was solely for the Brazilian market. Brazil is incredibly humid and warm, which is a recipe for disaster with watch dials. This means that many of these watches have had restored dials. The Omega signing on this example has faded, but it is original.
The dial is the aged silver tone, which has a speckled patination. This will be due to the heat and high humidity of the Brazilian climate. The seconds track is around the exterior with the 1/5th seconds graduations for accurate timekeeping. The hour markers are alternating dashes and applied roman numeral hour markers. The applied markers really catch the eye with their silver tone and the texture and depth provided by them. The dial is signed below 12 with the Omega name and logo which has faded with age. The Red Star symbol sits below and is clear. The hands are a silver tone of Index style. The central second hand has the tapered design with the thermally blued finish.
The case is formed of stainless steel and measures 32.5mm x 32.5mm. It is a neatly designed piece, with the angular lugs adding to the presence and stretching the total length to 38.75mm.
It has the snap on bezel and case back with the straight, angular lugs attached to the centre. The bezel is thin with the bevel which allows the dial to take centre stage. The sides of the case and flat with the lightly brushed finish. The case back balances well with the bezel to provide and even, balanced profile. To the right hand side is the thin Onion style crown which is pleasing on the eye.
The case back is good with the lightly brushed finish. Inside it is signed with the Omega logo with the serial number ‘10415149’. It has the perlage finishing.
The movement is the Omega calibre 30T2 PC which has a jewel count of 18 and is manually wound. It has the sweep second hand. It has been recently serviced and is keeping time to within 1 minute variation a day.
The watch is modelled on a 17.75cm wrist circumference.
Full condition report below. Please see the images as these compliment and aid the description provided below.
Dial:
The dial is original and is in decent condition. It has spotted ageing. The Omega logo has worn with age.
Hands:
The hands are original and are of Index style. They are in good vintage condition with no noticeable corrosion.
Glass:
The crystal is a replacement which is in good condition.
Crown:
The crown appears original and is in good condition with only light marking.
Case:
The case is stainless steel and is in good condition with only light marking associated with age.
Case back:
The case back is in good condition with only light surface scratching.
Strap:
The watch comes on a new genuine leather strap which is in unworn condition.
Movement:
The movement is the Omega calibre 30T2 PC which has a jewel count of 18 and is manually wound. It has the sweep second hand. It has been recently serviced and is keeping time to within 1 minute variation a day.
Case dimensions:
Case width: 32.5mm
Case width with crown: 34.5mm
Case length: 32.5mm
Case length lug to lug: 38.75mm
Case Depth: 10.3mm
Lug width: 18mm