Bill Sohne
1637
Review-Omega: Omega chronometres from 1905 to 1974
Sep 05, 2016,21:23 PM
Hi everyone ....
This is a presentation on Chronometre grade Omegas from 1905 to 1974.. i hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it.
The above is first generation case ref CK 2254. Its a stunning 35 mm in diameter steel screwback case. The early examples ( Pre 1943) used a 30T2Sc chronometer grade movement. The 30T2SCRg was introduced in 1943. The example above is from aprox 1945. . Omega called the regulation system in the 30T2Rg the "Omega System". If you were to take a loupe to a Rg movement, the wheels have a high finish quality, the parts also hand finish and high polished in comparion to the standard 30 mm movement.
On a side note, in collecting 30 mm chronometrea. The example above has had click wheel swapped out with a non chronometre grade part. Notice the flat finishing in comparison to the watch in the previous foil. Sad to say that standard Omega 30 mm parts will fit and work on a 30 T2Rg movement . This is one of the pitfalls many newer collectors fall into when buying a 30 mm chronometre.
Omega first introduced bumper automatic movements in their anniversary watch "Jubilee" or Centenary model , the movements had fancy finished wheels like the Rgs but lacked the "Omega System" regulation assembly. Omega corrected that with the introduction of the 352 ( sweep seconds 28.10 mm in diameter ) , 333 ( sub seconds 30.10 mm in diameter) and the 342 ( sub seconds 28.10 mm in diameter) . In the above foil you see an example of the Omega 352 ( Sweep sec example). Omega referred to the 352, 333, 343 as deluxe execution chronometrer grade movements in comparison to the later caliber 354 that using a swan neck regulation and standard finish wheels.
Here we see an uncommon example of a Steel Seamaster bumper chronometre SUB SECONDS powered by a caliber 343. Even thought it does not say Seamaster on the dial, is this an early Seamaster chronometre. The caliber 343 found in 34 mm and smaller chronometre watches. and 333 normally found in the jumbo 36 mm cases including the Jumbo 36 mm Seamaster chronometrres of the time. The 343 and the 333 were never offered in a Constellation ( Omega never offered a Constellation with Subseconds to the best of my knowledge).
Omega also had one run of caliber 501 19j that was also chronometre grade. They also introduced the first Calendar chronometrre grade movement aka caliber 504 at this time as well..
The next generation of chronometre grade movements was the 551 no date and the 561 date chronometre. They later introduced the calbier 564 with quickset. The last of feature "day" display was introduced with the caliber 751.
Omega was so excited by the Beta 21 that they designed the watches with the crown at 9 o'clock. This is to show that the crown was no longer a thing you needed to use on a daily basis. Hate to sound like Ron Popel "You just set it and forget it !"
The Speedmaster 125. This was the FIRST Automatic triple register chronograph , date that was certified as a chronometre ! At the time the mineral crystal was the largest that current manufacturing was able to produce.
The Omega Marine chronometer Megaquartz 2.4 Mhz First certified Navigational Time keeper for the wrist !! The list price of the Marine chronometrer (MC) in the USA was 1850, compare that to a all steel non marine chronometer at 495$ . I know the MC is two tone but at just under 4 times the price Omega put a BIG price premium on the the MC. On another note there was an issue that Omega could not find a Swiss observatory to do the certification ( something about it being QUARTZ) . So all the 1511 and 1516 were certified at a French Observatory. Also pictuered above in the lower left is the late Eric Tabarly, French sailor. From Wikipedia " A former officer in the French navy who is often considered the father of French yachting," You see him with a sextant and his trusty Marine chronometer "Strapped" to his wrist ...
The above are photos i took at the Omega musem back in 1999. The watch on the upper left is a 2.4 mhz prototype. On the left you see the non marine chronometre grade 2.4Mhz in solid steel and a solid gold example.
I know I will get some emails saying I skipped a movement or what about f3oos .. All i can say is that this is a living document and I will be updating it as I get more info and photos.
Good Hunting and enjoy collecting Omegas !!
Bill Sohne
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For Bill's original post in Omega forum, please CLICK HERE
