Omega 2628: An Elegant Expression of Early Automatic Calendar Craft

The Omega 2628 is not just a reference number—it represents a moment in Omega’s rich horological history when the brand was mastering automatic movements with practical complications. This particular reference housed some of Omega’s earliest calendar bumper automatic calibers, most notably the Caliber 353, and offered a clever pointer date function within a refined mid-century case.

Often overshadowed by better-known Seamaster and Constellation models, the 2628 offers something collectors increasingly appreciate: understated vintage design paired with mechanical sophistication.

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A Reference for the International Market

The 2628 reference was part of Omega’s export-focused production in the early 1950s. It typically featured:

• A stainless steel or gold-plated case (around 34.5mm diameter)

• A domed acrylic crystal

• A dial with a full outer date ring (1 to 31)

• A central pointer hand to indicate the date

Unlike more modern calendar watches that rely on a date window, the 2628 used a center-mounted hand to point to the date numerals placed along the dial’s edge. This design preserved the visual balance of the dial while adding a functional twist—a practical innovation for the era.

The watches marked 2628 were frequently powered by the Omega Caliber 353, one of the last and most refined bumper automatic movements with date functionality.

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Movement: Omega Caliber 353

The Cal. 353 is a bumper-type automatic movement introduced in the early 1950s. It features:

• 17 jewels

• Frequency: 19,800 vibrations/hour

• Power reserve: ~42 hours

• Functions: Hours, minutes, center seconds, and date by pointer

• Shock protection: Incabloc

• Rotor design: Bumper oscillating weight (semi-rotational, ~120° motion)

The Caliber 353, though not as widely known as the later Caliber 500-series movements, is a mechanical gem. The bumper rotor design gives the watch a tactile, vintage wearing experience—where you can feel the rotor “bumping” gently as it hits spring buffers.

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Design Aesthetics

Omega 2628 watches feature clean, classic dial designs:

• Applied indices or numerals (often gold-toned)

• Slim dauphine or leaf hands

• Blued or red pointer date hands

• Refined case lugs and thin bezels

The outer date track is printed clearly, with enough spacing to maintain legibility. The central date hand adds both functionality and a sense of movement to the overall dial composition.

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Collectibility and Value

The Omega 2628 offers great value in today’s vintage market. It represents:

• One of the earliest automatic calendar designs from Omega

• An uncommon pointer date complication

• A charming bumper-wind mechanical movement

• A wearable vintage case size for modern wrists

Collectors often seek out these models for their originality. Watches with original dials, unpolished cases, and working calendar functions are especially desirable. Because the 2628 isn’t as mainstream as other Omega lines, prices remain relatively accessible.

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Final Thoughts

The Omega 2628 is a watch that tells more than just time—it tells a story of Omega’s innovation in a changing post-war world. With its bumper automatic caliber and elegant pointer date function, it blends mid-century design with mechanical ingenuity. For collectors who appreciate subtle vintage pieces with a technical twist, the 2628 is a time capsule well worth discovering.

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