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This Seamaster 30 wristwatch was purchased on the internet through a major auction site. The anticipation mounted while opening the package delivered by the US Mail. Tissue paper wrapped around the watch was carefully removed to reveal a work of art. One can never tell from pictures on the web how good a watch will look in person. Well, this one far exceeded my expectations. For a watch built in 1963, this looks as if someone parked it in their sock drawer after wearing it for maybe 6 months.
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Shown above is the pristine Cal. 286 movement, appearing to almost be untouched since it's being sealed into the case by Omega in 1963. This movement is the culmination of Omega's 30mm diameter offering which began life in the 1930's with the 30mm family of movements. Here is an excerpt from Omega's website (www.omega.ch):
"Its performance made the 30mm the most precise wristwatch calibre ever tested at Neuchâtel, Geneva and Kew Teddington (the only ‘‘open’’ competition where it would beat all the records time and again in 1940, 1946 and 1949). With its seconds centre derivative launched in 1940, the 30 mm would continue to grow and be replicated 3 million times until 1963. It was constantly improved in line with the latest developments in watchmaking technology."
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The case back is a screw-on type. The machining marks are still on the center portion of the back. As you can see, someone in the past slipped with a caseback wrench and put a scratch across the back.
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Inside the case back is the reference number of the case. Omega did outstanding work even to the case interiors.
This is a photo the seller used of the watch as seen on the auction site.