Omega Caliber 39 CHRO Pocket Chronograph

Tony C. · 2014-01-16T08:27:46Z

Tony C. acquires an Omega pocket chronograph/tachymeter Caliber 39 CHRO. Explore its history, Amelia Earhart connection, and pristine ceramic dial.

Tony C.

WPS member · Omega forum

9 replies3615 views0 photos

9 collectors discussing this on the WatchProSite forumJoin the Conversation →

Omega pocket chronograph/tachymeter; 18 ligne, 17 jewel cal. 39 CHRO (a collaboration with LeCoultre, first produced in 1929). This example, cased in sterling silver, is 50mm in diameter, features a near-flawless ceramic dial, purple-hued steel hands, and dates to around 1931. The lower sub-dial is a second counter for the basic time function, while the upper one ifs a 30 minute counter connected to the stop-watch and tachymeter functions.

These watches were developed primarily as sports timers, as suggested by the ad shown below from the 1936 Olympics. Also of interest is the following from the Omega Museum (emphasis mine):

Few people in the history of aviation have captured the public's interest and imagination to the extent that Amelia Earhart did. Although she and navigator Fred Noonan disappeared in 1937 on an attempted round-the-world flight, there has been decades-long speculation about the shy pilot's fate. Even now, three quarters of a century later, potential crash sites in the Pacific are being investigated in the hopes of solving an enduring mystery. Earhart's Lockheed Electra 10E NR was equipped with a dashboard an Omega 39 CHRO chronograph. On her wrist, the most famous aviatrix of all time wore an Omega 28.9 chronograph and Fred Noonan sported and Omega Marine.

The acronym S.G.D.G. seen on the dial stands for "Sans Garantie du Gouvernement". Under French law, it granted the patent holder temporary exclusive rights, but did so without any explicit guarantee of the French state.

Cheers,

Tony C.

This message has been edited by Tony C. on 2014-01-16 08:28:53

The Discussion

blomman Mr Blue

Jan 16, 2014

What a great find, Tony!

Huge congrats - looks fantastic! :) Here are a couple of pages from the a Swedish AD cataolgue from the same year. Tony, I would love to meet up one day and have a closer look into your watch box... Best Blomman

Tony C.

Jan 16, 2014

Thanks blomman!

I'd be delighted to meet you in Europe some time. Where are you in Sweden? Cheers, Tony C.

Mystiqz

Jan 16, 2014

beautiful pocketwatch!

how did you end up deciding on this pocketwatch out of the many that's out there? :)

Tony C.

Jan 16, 2014

Thanks, and good question...

the answer is that it just struck my fancy, both aesthetically, and in terms of how it was used practically at the time of production. Cheers, Tony C.

Mystiqz

Jan 17, 2014

others?

what other ones were you considering as well?

amanico

Jan 16, 2014

Very nice, Tony. Aren't you afraid to have opened a kind of Pandora's box?

Once I spent one full day at the JLC Heritage Gallery admiring their collection of Pocket watches, and I must say that I saw totally captivated by their movements... That may be such a dangerous additction! Congratulations on this one. The dial is superb, and in awesome condition! Best, Nicolas