Omega Aviator

The 1930s were aviation's golden age. Pilots were flying higher, farther, and faster than ever before, and the wristwatch was evolving alongside them. Omega answered the call with a series of purpose-built pilot's watches that emphasized legibility, durability, and practical functionality. Among the most distinctive was the CK 2000—a watch whose bold design feels every bit as compelling today as it did in the cockpit.

This example dates to approximately 1938 and is housed in a stainless steel case with fixed wire lugs and a beautifully executed coin-edge rotating bezel. Long before the dive watch made elapsed-time bezels commonplace, aviators relied on rotating bezels like this to calculate flight times, navigation legs, and fuel intervals. It's a thoughtful complication that speaks directly to the practical demands of early aviation.

The richly patinated black dial remains the star of the show. Large luminous Arabic numerals dominate the display, complemented by cathedral-style hands and a recessed subsidiary seconds register at six o'clock. Together they create the unmistakable aesthetic of an interwar pilot's watch, where every design decision was made with legibility in mind. Decades of honest aging have given the dial a warmth and character that simply cannot be replicated.

Inside beats one of Omega's respected manually wound calibres from the 37.5 or 40.6 family. These movements helped establish the manufacture as one of Switzerland's premier suppliers of precision wristwatches during the first half of the twentieth century. Robustly engineered and built for reliability, they remain among Omega's most celebrated early movements.

Vintage military and aviation watches continue to attract collectors, but few combine genuine tool-watch credentials with such timeless design. The CK 2000 occupies an important place in Omega's history, arriving well before the Seamaster or Speedmaster and demonstrating that the manufacture's expertise in professional watches stretches back nearly a century. Oversized, purposeful, and remarkably charismatic, it stands as one of the great pilot's watches of the pre-war era.

The story of Omega is one that captivates generations of horological devotees. The second-largest watchmaker in the world in terms of annual turnover, the Bienne-based firm has been continuously producing watches since 1848, which it does today under the auspices of the Swatch Group.

Founded in La-Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland as La Generale Watch Co, Omega was well ahead of the horological curve from the beginning, developing the first minute-repeating wristwatch in 1892 as well as the eponymous “Omega” caliber in 1894. This 19-ligne movement was revolutionary in that its parts could be replaced by any watchmaker in the world without modification, while its winding and time-setting via the crown provided an industry standard.

Omega became the timepiece supplier of choice for the British Royal Flying Corps in 1917, while the Americans followed suit in 1918, choosing their watches for the U.S. Army. Awards for precision chronometry became almost commonplace, while 1932 saw them become the first watch brand to time an entire Olympic Games. Their Marine, which debuted the same year, is regarded as the first commercially available diver’s watch.

During the Second World War, Omega supplied well over 100,000 timepieces to British forces, making it the largest watch supplier to the British and her allies. These watches, from the unique 6B/159 to the famed “Dirty Dozen” W.W.W, remain highly collectible today.

1948 saw the launch of the original Seamaster: Built upon the tool watch legacy of the brand’s timepieces from the War, it’s since become a byword for reliability and legibility, both as a dress watch and, more recently, as a serious diver’s tool. The Speedmaster, released in 1957 and originally marketed for the auto-racing market, first rocketed to space on the wrist of American astronaut Wally Schirra in 1962. However, it became a household name when, in 1969, it accompanied Buzz Aldrin on the Moon, and later helped save the space-stranded crew of Apollo 13 in 1970 by timing a critical rocket burn.

Today, Omega’s watches — all of which feature in-house movements — run the gamut from svelte dress pieces to the venerable Speedmaster in all its guises. Providing an unquestionable value proposition, Omega is a brand that deserves to be at the center of every serious watch lover’s collection.

Our Pledge

Analog:Shift stands behind the authenticity of our products in perpetuity.

Condition

Since our pieces are vintage or pre-owned, please expect wear & patina from usage and age. Please read each item description and examine all product images.

Warranty

We back each Analog:Shift vintage timepiece with a two-year mechanical warranty from the date of purchase.

International Buyers

Please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.

All of our watches include complementary insured shipping within the 50 states.

Most of our products are on hand and will ship directly from our headquarters in New York City. In some cases, watches will be shipped directly from one of our authorized partners.

We generally ship our products via FedEx, fully insured, within 5 business days of purchase. An adult signature is required for receipt of all packages for insurance purposes. Expedited shipping is available at an additional cost. We are also happy to hand deliver your purchase in Manhattan or you may pick it up at our showroom.

Returns must be sent overnight or by priority international delivery, fully insured and paid for by the customer. A restocking fee may apply. Watches must be returned in the same condition as initially shipped.

We welcome international buyers, please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.