2471 Omega Cosmic Complete Calendar Moonphase

In 1947, this was the height of the Omega catalogue. Man hadn’t stepped on the moon, limited editions hadn’t been invented, and Ploprof was still just what you said when you sneezed. But post-war economic buzz was strong and this was Omega’s halo product. Known today as the Cosmic Complete (or Triple) Calendar Moonphase, this is one of those all-time great references that falls into the nobody cares bucket, yet really shouldn’t. Released two years prior to the Rolex Padellone, it is the complicated Omega for those who really just love great watches. I am asked frequently for recommendations of incredible vintage watches under 10K, and the truth is there aren’t a ton left; this is one.

The Cosmic was made in five circular references: this 35mm (ref. 2606, 2471 and 2473) and a few 37mm cases (ref. 2485 and 2486) from 1947 until 1956. Be sure to check the metal as there are solid and capped golds out there. At the dawn of calendar wrist watches, this was in its time the most widely produced and also at release thinnest complete calendar moonphase which had been made (counting out QP). And that moonphase has a lovely tropical sky, which never gets old (many look like this). This example comes from late in production with applied elements and somewhat unusual hexagon indices (applied at 3 and 9).

Like the Seamaster 321 and original Railmaster, the Cosmic Moonphases have always lived in the shadow of the Speedmaster which came after. Omega seemingly has had no reason to mention this history since, which is unfortunate. Total production was not small over its roughly decade of production. So they’ve never been hugely valuable, relatively speaking, and probably won’t be. But they’re great nonetheless.

Now, This where things are quite interesting. This was not a water resistant case and many Cosmics did not fare well with time. I don’t think there’s a chance this isn’t a restored dial. But well-done restorations need to be talked about openly so we can value them properly. The work here is beautiful and of the quality where it’s almost indistinguishable, save for the lack of patina. And while original should always command the greatest admiration and premium, a well-performed restoration has its place as well. I usually steer away from posting ever beautifully executed redials, and this one is done beautifully (very true to original fonts). We need nuance in this conversation, it’s not as simple as restored dial equals automatically bad and original equals good.

Sometimes I used to steer away from posting great watches just because I knew people who don’t take the time to read the full length version here will comment ‘looks like a redial’ on social media without reading the full length here in an attempt to score social credit. Fair enough. Yes, but find me a part where this redial differs from the original, fonts are consistent and performed beautifully. Everyone who really knows watches will see that this is restored at a glance. But if you look closely it’s as high quality as that kind of restoration work gets. What’s helpful and what’s needed more in watches is that we discuss what is sympathetic restoration and what is now. So I’m trying to brave that front. We need to be willing to talk openly about these things because in time most watches will need attention. It’s valued right and I’d argue very sympathetic work.

On a gorgeous mid-century Cosmic that’s not going to Phillips any time soon, well under 10k, I still find this 2471 to be a ton of fun and it’s not a compromise. There are good restorations and bad restorations, this is well-executed. Just know what you’re buying. It’s still a crazy cool calendar. Case is great, unknown if those edges are original. Rest of it looks great from what I can see. Cool watch, not a museum piece but they don’t all have to be. Wear and enjoy.