Description
The Omega CK2554/2337 is incorrectly knowns as the ‘Techron’, and is a rare and unusual Omega model which seems to have ‘fallen through the cracks’ of the collecting world. Made between 1941 and 43, it seems to only have been sold in two quite small markets – Brazil and Canada, with the majority coming from Canada. It seems only to have been advertised in Canada. The advertising makes much of the fact that the watch has been approved by the Royal Canadian Air Force; I am unsure what ‘approved’ means, they certainly weren’t issued. Everything about the watch is interesting; starting with the case, it’s a nice size 35mm with double stepped bezel and lugs, with a nice lobed end to the lugs and screwed back. The case has an unusual combination of brushed and polished surfaces, all of the above can be seen in the accompanying video. The reference 2554 is usually found with fitted with certified chronometer movements; but research by Erich Lexer has found that this rare version was ordered by the Canadian importer Ken Hatch Ltd., in 1941 but not finally delivered until late 1944/early 1945. Presumably when the risk of the shipment falling prey to U-Boats was considered minimal.
The movement is the very unusual rose gold finish 18 jewel anti magnetic version of the 30T2, which is stamped 30T2SCPC – the SC standing for Sweep Seconds and the PC for “Para Choc” or shock protected, as these movements were some of the earliest subsets of this movement to be fitted with Incabloc; this 18j a/m movement is much more rare than the chronometer rg version. The movement serial number 9847030 indicates a manufacture date of 1943/4
The dial is wonderful with the two tone finish, silvered railroad seconds track and high gloss black centre section, the huge radial radium Arabic numbers will be seen a couple of years later on the US Army CK2179 – the arrowhead shaped hour and minute hands are very unusual, whilst the sweep seconds hand looks like the prototype for the Speedmaster sweep seconds. I was sure that the seconds hand on my watch has been repainted red, but internet searches for this model show that around two thirds of them have this exact same red luminous hand. And beyond all this, its a gorgeous watch to look at.
The case is 95% whilst the movement is 95+% and the dial is 90+%.
The watch measures 35mm diameter, 40.5mm lug to lug, 10.5 mm high and takes an 18mm strap and a new black padded leather one is fitted.
