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While many collectors today are focused on the iconic Seamaster and Constellation lines, there is a special, understated purity to Omega’s simple “Automatic” models from the 1950s. They are, arguably, the most distilled expression of the brand’s mid-century golden age, representing a perfect fusion of robust engineering and timeless, elegant design.
The 1950s was a period of intense innovation, with the industry racing to perfect the self-winding watch. Omega, having already mastered the “bumper” automatic, introduced the Caliber 47x series as its first family of modern, in-house, full-rotor movements. This was a significant technological leap. This watch is powered by that very engine: the Caliber 471. It is a stunning piece of machinery, finished in Omega’s signature copper-gilt, and renowned for its robust construction and reliability. It is precisely this kind of high-grade, in-house workhorse that cemented Omega’s legendary reputation.
This particular example, a Reference 2802-1, is a textbook case of 1950s style. It is housed in a sharp stainless steel case that appears unpolished, retaining its strong, elegant lugs. But the dial is the real star. It features a beautiful and highly sought-after “cross-hair” motif, a technical detail that quarters the dial and adds a fantastic sense of precision and balance.
