Omega CK 2292

The Omega CK 2292 is a military wristwatch produced around 1942-1944, primarily for British forces during World War II, notably the Royal Air Force (RAF) and the Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm (FAA). It is a historically significant timepiece, often associated with RAF pilots, including those who flew Spitfires, and valued for its robust Omega Caliber 30T2 movement, legibility, and wartime service. The CK 2292 existed in different variations depending on the military branch it was issued to, most commonly marked as 6B/159 for the RAF or H.S.8 for the Royal Navy, each with distinct case materials and lug types. It is important to distinguish the CK 2292 from the later Omega “Dirty Dozen” W.W.W. watches, which had different specifications and dial characteristics.  

Specifications

Key Details & Variations

Variations

The Omega CK 2292 was produced with variations primarily dictated by the military branch it was intended for:

• Omega 6B/159 (Royal Air Force):
  • Case Material: Typically a Duralumin (aluminum alloy) upper case with a stainless steel snap-on case back. Duralumin offered a matte, less reflective finish.  
  • Lugs: Fixed bar lugs were traditional for security.  
  • Markings: Case backs usually featured the broad arrow (pheon), “6B/159,” and an issue number (e.g., A11551). “A.M.” (Air Ministry) might appear on earlier issues.  
  • Post-War MoD Recasing (1956): Many surplus 6B/159 watches with 30T2 movements were re-cased by the MoD in 1956 into larger (around 36mm) stainless steel Dennison cases, often with new black or white dials by Bill & Sons and screw-down case backs. These are distinct from the original wartime issues.  
• Omega H.S.8 (Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm):
  • Case Material: Often a nickel-plated brass upper case with a stainless steel snap-on case back. Brass was chosen for its corrosion resistance in naval environments.  
  • Lugs: Predominantly featured spring bars, allowing for standard two-piece straps. Lugs are often described as shorter than the RAF version.  
  • Markings: Case backs were engraved “H.S.↑8” (Hydrographic Survey, Watch Wristlet) and an issue number.  
  • Rarity: Generally considered rarer than the RAF 6B/159 version.  
• General CK 2292 (Omega’s Database): Omega’s vintage database also lists the CK 2292 with an all-stainless steel case option and a press-in case back, with a water resistance of 30 meters.  

Correct Dial

• Color: Commonly off-white, cream, or silvered for both 6B/159 and H.S.8 variants.
• Numerals: Black Arabic numerals for maximum legibility.  
• Markings: Signed “Omega” and often “Swiss Made” at the bottom. Some military dials might lack “Swiss Made”.  
• Lume: Radium was the luminous material used on dials and hands for this period. RAF versions could have lumed dials and hands, while H.S.8 versions often had non-luminous hands.

Correct Hands

• Style: Blued steel hands were common. Shapes included “pear” shaped, simple stick, or syringe style.  
• Lume: RAF versions could have lumed hands; H.S.8 versions typically had non-luminous blued steel hands.

Correct Case

• RAF (6B/159): Duralumin upper case, stainless steel snap-on back, fixed lugs. Approx. 33mm diameter.  
• Royal Navy (H.S.8): Nickel-plated brass upper case, stainless steel snap-on back, spring bars, often shorter lugs. Approx. 33-33.5mm diameter.  
• General: Omega’s database also indicates all-stainless steel as a possibility for the CK 2292 reference.  
• Crown: Typically a large, unsigned crown for ease of use with gloves.  

Additional Details

The CK 2292 was powered by the robust and reliable manual-winding Omega Caliber 30T2, often the 30T2 SC (Sweep Central seconds) version for military use.

• Jewels: 15 or 16 jewels.  
• Frequency: 18,000 vph.  
• Power Reserve: Approx. 43-44 hours.  
• Plating: Wartime military versions often had nickel-plated movements instead of copper/rose-gold due to copper’s strategic importance.  
• Magnetic Resistance: The 30T2 was noted for improved magnetic resistance due to new balance spring alloys, beneficial for pilots.  

Distinction from “Dirty Dozen” (W.W.W.) Watches

The Omega CK 2292 (6B/159 and H.S.8) is distinct from the Omega W.W.W. (“Dirty Dozen”) watches.

• Dial: W.W.W. watches had black dials with sub-seconds. CK 2292 variants typically had white/cream/silver dials and often central seconds.  
• Markings: W.W.W. watches were explicitly marked “W.W.W.” on the case back. CK 2292s were marked “6B/159” or “H.S.8”.  
• Purpose: W.W.W. was a general army specification, while 6B/159 and H.S.8 were primarily for aircrew and naval/hydrographic survey use.  

Collector Information

• Authenticity: Verify movement serial numbers (e.g., 9,8xx,xxx – 10,3xx,xxx for 1943/44), correct military markings, 30T2 movement characteristics (nickel plating for wartime), and originality of dial/hands.  
• Rarity & Value: H.S.8 versions are generally rarer. Prices range widely based on condition and originality, from ~$700-$1500 to $3000+ for prime examples.  
• Radium Lume: These watches used radium lume. Handle with care, especially during servicing, to avoid ingestion/inhalation of radium particles.