For the serious Omega connoisseur, few things are more exciting than finding an example of one of the company's much sought after and elusive models...

Our offering today showcases a quite rare Omega chronometer model, the Ref. 14311. These watches are one of the very interesting late 40's and early 50's Omegas, and their history has not yet been fully established.

Omega's official history book, Omega: A Journey through Time lists the model as a Globemaster, although that label may be an oversight.

This is the fourth such "plain bent lug ref. 14311 chromometre" we have owned. These were an early chronometer offering whose introduction pre-dated the Constellation. They seem to have helped bridge a chronometer gap between the Centenary chronometers in 1948 and the release of the first Constellation in 1952.

In Omega's official anthology book, Omega: A Journey through Time, Marco Richon, Omega's Museum curator and a client of our ours believes that case OT 143.11 was one of the first Constellation models ever produced and notes that the word Constellation was omitted from the dial because the name was owned by Lockheed.

Powering the watch is a caliber 352 "bumper" movement worked up to chronometer status, the same 35x series that powered the first Constellations.

Interestingly, these watches were not fitted with the usual applied star marker found at the '6' position on Constellations.

It presents in beautiful restored condition. The dial has been professionally restored, and the case presents in pleasing condition.

As part of the restoration our watchmaker has cleaned and oiled the movement, which is running extremely accurately. For the finishing touch we have equipped it with a lizard strap making it ready for immediate enjoyment.

Included with the purchase is a one-year C.O.T. international warranty on the movement and its function, a custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity, and a new timing certificate attesting to its performance.

A previous 14311 we owned was written about by our friend and prominent Constellation expert Desmond Guilfoyle on his blog here.

A copy of the original vintage ad can be found in Marco Richon's Omega: A Journey through Time, 2007, pg. 363.

• Manufacturer: Omega
• Country of origin: Switzerland
• Serial no.: 12,331,837
• Year made: c. 1951
• Model: Chronometer, Ref. 14311
• Functions: Hours, Minutes, Sweep Seconds, Automatic
• Designed for: Men
• Case material: 18K gold
• Case markings (inside): Omega Watch Co., Swiss Made, 18K, 14311
• Case condition: Excellent with light wear and signs of polishing.
• Dimensions: 35mm wide (excluding crown) 43mm long lug tip-to-tip
• Dial: Silver with somewhat unusual long faceted gold applied markers, outer minute/seconds track with 1/5 markings, professionally restored
• Hands: Original, gold, dauphines
• Movement type: Cal. 352, copper-colored, 17 jewels, straight line lever escapement, monometallic balance adjusted to 5 positions and temperatures, shock absorber, self-compensating flat balance spring, micrometer regulator
• Width between lugs: 18mm
• Band: Lizard, fully stitched, padded, brand new and unworn with unsigned buckle
• Crystal type: Acrylic, excellent condition
• Serviced: Yes, freshly cleaned and oiled by our watchmaker. Your watch is important to us, and we will take care of it for its lifetime. We provide the best after sale care in the business with an experienced team of watchmakers both of whom each have over forty years of experience and a large number of parts.
• Timing: Timed to precision on a state-of-the-art computerized system.
• Warranty: 1-year warranty. Please email concierge@cotwatches.com for details.
• Box/Papers: BOX - Connoisseur of Time watch presentation box; PAPERS - Custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity; New timing certificate
• Returns: 7 days full refund. 100% satisfaction guarantee

We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee for all of our watches. If you are in any way unsatisfied with the watch we will fully refund the purchase price anytime within 7 days after the watch has been received. Our goal is to exceed our client's expectations throughout the buying experience.

All watches are packaged carefully and mailed double boxed in specially constructed, reinforced shipping boxes designed for high value items. All watches are sent fully insured with signature required. Most of our domestic shipping is done through FedEx. At times we will also use USPS Express Mail, and we can accommodate most requests for your preferred carrier. International shipments are sent USPS International Express Mail or FedEx.

The purchase price will be the declared value of the merchandise on any required customs forms. The payment of all customs duties, tariffs, and taxes are the responsibility of the buyer.

Also note that water resistance of vintage watches can no longer be guaranteed and is not covered under the watch's warranty. We do not recommend getting a vintage watch wet, even one that was originally designed to be waterproof.

To get an idea of how this watch will look on the wrist, please use the Watch Sizing Guide