Omega Bullseye Dial, Stainless Steel Watch, circa 1940

Dealer description — Vintage Watch Specialist

Omega's 30mm movement family is one of the most important chapters in the manufacturer's pre- and post-war history. Introduced at the end of the 1930s, the architecture proved remarkably successful and would remain in production, through a succession of developments and renamed calibres, for more than two decades. The 30 SC T2 was the centre-seconds version of the celebrated hand-wound movement. Its comparatively large movement diameter allowed Omega to build robust, straightforward watches with excellent timekeeping potential, and the basic design earned a reputation for reliability that helped establish the 30mm family among Omega's most respected vintage movements. The late 1930s and early 1940s were also a particularly interesting period for Omega dial design. Alongside more conventional silver and Arabic numeral layouts were striking two-tone and sector-style designs, including what collectors now commonly describe as "bullseye" dials. Their contrasting concentric areas provided strong visual definition and have made surviving examples particularly distinctive today. These early watches pre-date the familiar named collections that would come to dominate Omega's catalogue in subsequent decades. Instead, the movement, case construction and dial design are very much the stars of the show. What’s on Offer Here we have a wonderful early Omega dating to circa 1940, housed in a stainless-steel case and featuring a particularly striking black and white bullseye dial that has developed considerable natural patina over the intervening decades. The dial is undoubtedly the star of this watch. Its originally pale central section has aged to a wonderfully warm champagne tone, surrounded by a contrasting black chapter carrying large Arabic hour numerals. Around the very edge sits a detailed minutes and seconds track, while a further track separates the centre from the black outer chapter to create the distinctive concentric design now commonly referred to by collectors as a bullseye dial. There is extensive age-related spotting and tonal variation across the centre of the dial, giving this approximately 85-year-old Omega a great deal of individual character. The black outer chapter has aged too, with the cream-coloured numerals and markings taking on an attractive warmth that works beautifully against the central patina. A pair of slim dark hands are accompanied by a central sweep seconds hand, while the simple Omega logo and signature sit neatly beneath 12 o'clock. It's a wonderfully balanced design, with very little unnecessary decoration beyond the contrasting dial itself. The stainless-steel case measures 34.5mm across and is particularly attractive in profile. The relatively slender lugs extend away from the case before curving downwards towards the wrist, helping the watch sit neatly despite its distinctly vintage proportions. The drilled lug ends are another lovely period detail. Inside is Omega's manually wound 16-jewel calibre 30 SC-T2, part of the highly regarded family of 30mm Omega movements that became such an important part of the manufacturer's output during this period. The watch is currently paired with a warm brown leather strap, which works particularly well with the aged tones that have developed across the dial. This is a very characterful early Omega. The bullseye layout gives it immediate visual impact, while more than eight decades of natural ageing have transformed what began as a contrasting black and white dial into something completely individual. Should you prefer to have the watch professionally serviced before delivery, this can be arranged through our watchmaker at an additional cost. Simply add a note when placing the watch in your basket, and we will contact you to discuss the available servicing options.