Before the Speedmaster became the most famous chronograph in the world, Omega was already building the watches that helped lay its foundation.

During the 1940s and 1950s, Omega developed a succession of superb chronographs that brought together the qualities the company would later carry into the Speedmaster: robust manually wound movements, the ability to time extended events, and cases designed to make serious chronograph functionality practical on the wrist. Watches like the one offered here are in a very real sense the precursors to watches that went to moon, part of the evolutionary path that ultimately led Omega from the great civilian chronographs of the postwar era to the Speedmasters worn by astronauts.

At the heart of this evolution was the extraordinary Caliber 321. Built around a sophisticated column-wheel architecture and painstakingly manufactured to exacting standards, it earned a reputation for precision, durability, and reliability that few chronograph movements have ever matched. Today it is regarded by many collectors and historians as one of the finest chronograph movements ever produced.

The rare ref. CK 2886 chronograph showcased in today's offering captures that story at a particularly fascinating moment. It is a reference CK 2886, produced only for a short time, which Omega's own vintage records place in its 1957 International Collection. Interestingly, it was produced in the very year Omega introduced the Speedmaster, making it a wonderful snapshot of the company's chronograph development at the moment its history was about to take a remarkable turn.

Less than a decade later, Omega's chronograph development would lead somewhere almost unimaginable when these earlier watches were being made. NASA would select the Speedmaster for manned spaceflight, and Caliber 321-powered Speedmasters would accompany astronauts during the great missions of the space program and ultimately onto the lunar surface. The Speedmaster deservedly became an icon, but its story did not begin in isolation. Behind it stood years of Omega chronograph development, and watches such as this one allow a collector to own a quieter and more elegant tangible piece of that evolution.

That is much of what makes this watch so compelling. It offers not simply the celebrated Caliber 321, but an earlier expression of the Omega chronograph from which the legendary Moonwatch era would emerge. At 33mm in diameter, it has the refined proportions characteristic of Omega's very fine mid-century wristwatches while already possessing the three-register functionality and serious mechanical sophistication that would become so important to the chronographs that followed.

Its handsome silver dial is complemented by the classic three-register layout, including a 12-hour recorder, 30-minute recorder, and running seconds register. Combined with its slim case profile, beautifully sculpted lugs, and manually wound column-wheel chronograph movement, it represents an important chapter in the development of one of watchmaking's most consequential chronograph families.

It has all of its original parts save its genuine Omega Seamaster crown, which is period correct.

Its case presents in excellent condition with fairly light remnants of wear and fairly light signs of previous polishing. On the wrist it presents in pleasing condition.

Despite what the photos seem to suggest, the "Waterproof" engraving on the back is still fully intact and slightly light.

Its dial has been restored by one of the leading dial experts in North America.

One of our Master Watchmakers has performed any needed servicing. It is running strong and true, keeping exceptionally accurate time better than many new Omegas in our testing recording position.

For the finishing touch, it comes with a new distressed rally style strap and aftermarket Omega buckle making it ready for immediate enjoyment. We also offer more dress style straps.

We also stock lizard and a variety of others straps in various prints, skins, and colors and a genuine Omega buckle. Please ask us if you're interested.

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

The watch's page on the Omega website can be found here.

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 extremely experienced team of four Master Watchmakers all of whom each have over thirty-five years of experience and a large number of parts. One used to be the watchmaker for an authorized Rolex dealership and was given training by Rolex at their Beverly Hills Service Center.

Manufacturer: Omega
Country of origin: Switzerland
Year built: c. 1957
Serial no.: 15,147,404
Model: Reference 2886, Seamaster Chronograph
Functions: Hours, Minutes, Subsidiary Seconds, Chronograph, 30-Minute Recorder, 12-Hour Recorder
Designed for: Men
Case material: Stainless steel
Case condition: Presents in excellent condition with fairly light remnants of wear and fairly light signs of previous polishing. 
Case markings (outside): "Waterproof"
Dimensions: 33mm diameter by 41mm lug-to-lug
Dial: Silvered, applied faceted steel arrowhead hour indexes with oversized applied Arabic “12”; applied Omega symbol and signed “OMEGA”; three recessed subsidiary dials with constant seconds at 9, 30-minute chronograph register at 3, and 12-hour chronograph register at 6; outer black minute and chronograph seconds track with 1/5-second divisions; peripheral tachymeter scale; signed “SWISS MADE” at 6, expertly restored by one of the leading dial experts in North America
Hands: Original, luminous steel "dauphines", counterweighted seconds
Movement type: Omega Caliber 321 manually wound column-wheel chronograph, copper colored, index regulator
Movement markings: “OMEGA WATCH Co SWISS,” “SEVENTEEN 17 JEWELS,” “ADJUSTED TWO (2) POSITIONS,” and “321.”
Width between lugs: 18mm
Band: Distressed leather, rally style, remborde, contrast stitching, brand new and unworn with aftermarket Omega style buckle. We also offer more dress style straps and lizard and a variety of other straps in various prints, skins, and colors and a genuine Omega buckle. Please ask us if you're interested.
Crystal: Acrylic, original or vintage, excellent condition
Servicing: One of our Master Watchmakers has performed any needed servicing.
Timing: Timed on a computerized system. It is running strong and true, keeping exceptionally accurate time better than many new Omegas in our testing recording position.
Warranty: 1-year international C.O.T. warranty. 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 extremely experienced team of four Master Watchmakers all of whom each have over thirty-five years of experience and a large number of parts. One used to be the watchmaker for an authorized Rolex dealership and was given special training by Rolex at their Beverly Hills Service Center and also has done authorized work for the Richemont brands including Cartier.
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

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