Vintage
Marv's detailed post on the Omega Memomatic offers a fascinating look at a truly unique and often overlooked vintage timepiece. His exploration of its innovative self-winding alarm movement and distinctive 1970s aesthetic provides valuable context for collectors interested in Omega's horological experiments beyond its more famous models. This article highlights why the Memomatic, with its precise alarm setting and discreet chime, remains a significant piece in Omega's history.
I would like to share with you few photos of a watch that I re-discovered very recently following a change of its strap:
The Omega Memomatic
The Memomatic is an alarm wristwatch issued by Omega in 1970, as you can guess from its 70s funky style.
It is the first (and until now the only) watch produced by Omega with the alarm feature.
It belongs to the Seamaster line although it is waterproof to a depth of only 200 feet / 60 meters. However, it is just enough for someone like me that wears it with a leather strap.
The movement of the Memomatic is the Omega 980, created in 1968 by Raoul-Henri Erard and produced from the following year by Lemania. A total of 35 000 units of this movement were built.
This movement has some very specific features:
There is no doubt regarding its 70s origin: black and grey dial, orange second hand, oversized case with a tonneau shape. Groovy baby!
And please note the nice effects of the various types of polishing, in particular the nice sunbrushed bezel. Sunny baby!
Concerning the sound of the alarm, I must admit that it is not loud enough to wake me up. The sound is produced by a hammer that strikes a gong attached to the plate of the movement, not to the caseback. Omega admitted it and even better, decided to communicate on it. As mentioned in the advert :
« The Omega Memomatic rings like a miniature alarm clock, it rings discreetly to remind you of your next appointment – until you shut it off with a push-button control.
So when it happens during a meeting your colleages won't fall out of their chairs. They will, on the other hand, begin to see you as a man for whom the minutes count.»
A riddle to conclude: the album used in background is also from 1970... Any idea? 
Thanks for sharing the post on that Omega. I love it! It is funky looking but definitely has a depth of character. The self-winding alarm that can be shut off by a push button is really a nice and unique feature. Wow, I am really glad to have seen this one. I am very interested in alarm watches. So what does thisone sound like. A cricket, frog, school bell, buzzer? Thanks again for psoting this and wonderful photos, too. respo
Hi Respo For you Click the PLAY button after tune down your PC's volume. Kong This message has been edited by Kong on 2009-07-01 21:41:00
Kong, my memo sounds exactly like on your record ! Great ressource you have posted here, Thank you
Thank you for your nice words, respo. I can understand your interest in alarmwatch. It is a larger field than usually expected, - starting from the early pocket watches, - going through the 50s to 70s icons: Vulvain Cricket and JLC Memovox - and being revisited with beautiful modern watches such as the Ulysse Nardin Sonata or the Breguet Reveil du Tsar... And this memomatic clearly deserves a good place in the spotlight!
. . . one of the seminal albums of my generation, too . . . cordially, Art
And I can add that this album also left its mark on the later generation!
This thread is active on the Omega forum with 20 replies. Share your knowledge with fellow collectors.
Join the Discussion →
