Don't miss the next drop
If you ask any serious vintage Omega collector to name the most important movement the brand ever produced, the answer is almost undoubtedly the 30T2. This legendary manual-wind caliber was not just a movement, it was the backbone of Omega’s precision records and military contracts throughout the 1940s. Reference 2338 represents this golden era perfectly, housing that chronometer-grade architecture in a stainless steel case that, at 35mm, was considered “Jumbo” for its time and remains incredibly wearable today.
This particular example dates to approximately 1944, based on the 10.3 million serial number visible on the bridge of the movement. It features the highly desirable Caliber 30T2 SC, denoting the center-seconds modification that gives the watch a more dynamic and modern feel than its sub-seconds counterparts. The dial layout is charmingly idiosyncratic, displaying Arabic numerals only at the even hours (12, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10), interspersed with simple baton markers.
What truly defines this watch, however, is the character it has earned over the last eighty years. The dial displays a heavy, uniform “stardust” patina, a speckled aging pattern that collectors look for as a sign of honesty and originality. The gold-tone leaf hands show oxidation consistent with the dial, while the blued steel center seconds hand provides a subtle, colorful pop against the warm background. The stainless steel case, marked “Acier Inoxydable” inside the caseback, retains its classic lines and is paired with a rustic tan suede single-pass strap that complements the vintage tool-watch aesthetic.
To us, this is the definition of a “driver” watch in the vintage world. It is not a safe queen terrified of sunlight, but a piece of horological history that looks fantastic on the wrist. It offers the robust reliability of the 30T2 movement in a package that tells a story from across the room.
