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Omega

ref. identifying

 

 

Hallo Thom.

 

This is the very movement which made Omega famous; when it was introduced (size 19''') it was actually called caliber "Omega"  (the wellknown story about the namegiving by banker Rieckel). It proved to be a big succes and within a couple of years it was available in sizes 15 - 17 - 18 - 19 - 20 lignes (for men) and 10 - 11 - 12 - 13''' (for ladies). Moreover, practically all sizes were offered both in Lépine version and Savonette.

And that's not all: depending on what accuracy you wished for (or money to spend!) the customer could choose from qualities -or grade  A (basic), B (most current), C (very fine) and D (top notch!).

In the example you have brought forward in your post 19'''LOBNN 15p:  19=size, L=Lépine, O=Omega, B=grade, NN=negative stem mechanism by Omega, and the number of jewels.

To determine the size by the naked eye and distinguish between 18, 19 or 20''' is rather difficult - you really do need a set of calipers. Your measurement of 40,6mm would indicate that it is in fact a 18'''.   However, keep in mind that the (then new) caliber 40.6 (in millimeters) that Omega introduced in 1923 looks very similar.  

Concerning the winged wheel at the back-side, this could also be due to a person's jubilee at his company, where he received it as a memorable gift from his (railway)employers? 

Apart from all this, i find the fact that it is on many occasions pretty frustating to find so little info on the movement itself : only the brand name and that's it  -  no Swiss, no jewels, no adjustments, no type of caliber, sometimes not even a visible serial number (at least you have that!).

This was not always the case, proof of which is this 19'''SO grade A (7 jewels) pic:

 



 
As evident from the low s/n, there used to be a period where all relevant info was displayed on the movement. This is btw the movement that i can wear on my wrist due to the special newly made case.
As a contrast with this 'low end' 19''' machinery, below is it's luxurious brother,  a decorated 19'''CCR  - in those days the best that money could buy from Omega.
 
cheers,  Ben.
 
 
 






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14 Comments view entire thread 

Help to determine Omega pocket watch caliber

 
By: tdn.dk : November 3rd, 2012-09:21
Hi! I also collect Omega pocket watches . Most often you can see the caliber number stamped on the movement , but on this one I can not see it . I've tried a find a similar and my guess is Cal . 19 LOBNN , but would like to hear what you think . ( see bel...  

Hi Thomas, I would like to know...

 
By: mac_omega : November 3rd, 2012-10:31
Hi Thomas, would like to know the exact diameter for determination. Might have been designed for railway use due to the back - but what makes me uncertain about that is the very low number of jewels - none to be seen on the wheels... kind regards erich

Thanks...

 
By: tdn.dk : November 3rd, 2012-10:40
Movement: 40,59 mm Watch: 52,50 mm. Best. Thomas

I guess it is

 
By: tdn.dk : November 3rd, 2012-10:53
A calibre 40.6 L 15 p then? But they do not have a pattern engraved like the 19'' and the 19'' is 42,7 mm according to Rannft ?? Best Thomas

ref. identifying

 
By: DeGeus : November 3rd, 2012-14:23
Hallo Thom. This is the very movement which made Omega famous; when it was introduced (size 19''') it was actually called caliber "Omega" (the wellknown story about the namegiving by banker Rieckel). It proved to be a big succes and within a couple of yea...  

DDR version

 
By: DeGeus : November 4th, 2012-03:14
The finest of the series, grade D , with 16 or 17 jewels was available as chronomètre from size 13''' up to 20''' with a 'bulletin' issued by the Bureau / Observatory in Bienne, Neuchatel or Genève - adjusted to variations of less than a minute per month,...  

thanks, ben ! always wanted to buy a DDR grade....

 
By: watch.out1 : November 4th, 2012-04:19
did not find a good one so far.....my shop chronometre` has a C grade mvmt. and my desk clock has the jumping second mvmt. kind regards. achim

some photos of a DDR

 
By: fred5 : March 22nd, 2021-14:22
This is actually my grandfather's watch, given to him for Christmas 1911. Serial number 2,584,723 made in 1905. I always thought it was an incredibly beautiful watch even as a young boy but the more I read about it the more I realize how special it is. ...  

Thanks very much for sharing your DDR with us, Fred. Thomas' [tdn-dk] thread is some nine years old - could you possibly . . .

 
By: Dr No : March 22nd, 2021-19:47
. . . start a new one? If you need assistance, please send me a pm. Here are images of Steve G's DDR . . . . . . acquired at Omegamania fourteen years ago. I'm not a pocket-watch guy, but would jump at the chance of adding one like this to my wristwatch c...  

The engraving on the back cover looks very much . . .

 
By: Dr No : November 4th, 2012-11:16
. . . like the original logo of the Indianapolis 500 Motor Speedway, Ben. Perhaps it was an official's timekeeper, if not an official one.

swift wheel..

 
By: DeGeus : November 4th, 2012-12:32
Thanks, and that would not be half bad Art ! For a prof. timekeeper or for any time-keeping purposes you would however expect a little more than a bog-standard bread&butter movement, isn't it? The engraving shows a winged wheel with spokes, some kind ...  

Thanks..

 
By: tdn.dk : November 4th, 2012-01:56
I learn a lot here! I guess the conclusion is, it is a 18''' variation of the cal. 19''' properly a standard grade B. According to Omega a 18''' is 40,7 mm, and the cal. 40,6 was actually only 40,0 mm i case diameter (and was first made in 1923). Accordin...