1974 Omega Time Computer 2 Gold-Plate (Ref. 196.0039) W/ Box & Papers

The Omega TC 2 represents a fascinating moment in Omega’s history, blending forward-thinking quartz technology with refined, distinctly 1970s design. Introduced in the mid-1970s, the Omega Time Computer 2 represents a pivotal moment in the evolution of wristwatches, when Swiss manufacturers began seriously engaging with emerging digital technology. Just a few years earlier, in 1969, Hamilton had invested heavily in the development of LED technology, ultimately releasing the Pulsar P1 in 1972, the world’s first digital wristwatch. At the time, this was a radical departure from traditional mechanical watchmaking.

Omega licensed this LED technology and applied its own design language and engineering standards to create the Time Computer series. Following the initial Time Computer 1, the TC-2 refined the concept with a more integrated, architectural case and bracelet design, along with improved functionality and ergonomics. While unmistakably futuristic for its era, the TC-2 maintained a level of restraint and quality that aligned with Omega’s broader identity.

One of the most distinctive features of the TC-2 is its unconventional time-setting system. Rather than traditional crowns or pushers, the watch utilizes a magnet stored discreetly within a hidden compartment in the clasp. When aligned with specific notches on the caseback, the magnet allows for precise adjustment of the hours and minutes, a clever and distinctly 1970s solution that underscored the experimental nature of early digital watchmaking.

Today, the Omega Time Computer 2 stands as a defining artifact of the digital transition era, increasingly appreciated not only for its technical significance but also for its confident, period-correct design and rarity in well-preserved condition.

Executed in a yellow gold-capped case with an integrated bracelet, the watch carries a confident, architectural presence while maintaining the restraint and quality expected of Omega.