omega chronometers

Omega reference 2384 Is it a real chronometer?

2011-10-25T23:00:00.000+01:00

Omega Chronometer reference 2384

I have some doubts about this watch as most of the references, including Omega database doesn't recognize it as a chronometer. This same case was used for the US Army chronometer regulated model as reference 2179. Maybe some movements not delivered to the US Army were used in 2384 cases and named as chronometers.
This watch is a centre second with water resistant case.
The case is stainless steel with screw back case.

The case back indicating the reference 2384-7

The movement is a 30T2SC coper plated with 11XXXXXX serial number and micro regulator

Mistery Omega chronometer 30T2 Reference 2192

2011-01-26T18:12:00.002+00:00

This watch photos were sent by a person I have met on the web. It had a really nice history with it. This watch was rescue from being send to the trash. His grandfather want to throw it away but Simon decided to keep it and put some pictures on forums for advise.
There were serious doubts about some points in the watch, but soon he discover it could have found a treasure.
I advise him to ask to Omega for the Extract of the Archive, as it was probably a very rare genuine Omega chronometer, and one of the firsts.

The dial is similar to the 2244 but with sub seconds. Rail-road markings and Arabic numerals interrupted by the sub second circle with 15 minutes Arabic numerals.The hands are thinner than the ones on the 2244 and look similar to Omega models from the 30's.

The case is very similar to the 2244 but it had the 10 073 202 on the back. It was later refereed by Omega archives as reference CK2192. The omega database doesn't identify this case as a chronometer but refer 1941 as the first year of production. The 2192 reference is basically the predecessor of 2244, and probably one of the first chronometers.

The case back is press-in type with exactly the same size and thickness as the 2244 .

We can see here the similarities to the 2244. The case is in a great shape for his age.

The case back doesn't have the 2192 reference but the serial number 10.073.202. I have seen a lot of omega watches without the reference engraved on the back and I really don't know the reason for most of them. It can be also a limited edition or special production. During the war Omega did get out of the standards often.

This was the surprise. The movement is a 30T2 non RG and without incablock and with serial at 92XXXXX. Everything looked perfect, and it was!!! The extract shows it was produced in August 1941. One of the earliest Omega 30T chronometers.

Here is a copy of the extract.

It proves the case and the movement are original, and the watch was certified as a chronometer.
Curiously but not strange is the fact of the watch was delivered to Portugal. Portugal was a neutral country and it was used as a trading point for military and luxury goods.
I will bet on two options. The first is that this watch was produced for military propose, and the other more reasonable it was delivered to one of the many luxury watch shops in Lisbon of that time.
During the war Lisbon was full of millionaires from all over Europe and money was abundant, but it was also a trading point for the military.
Another mystery is how doest it end on United Kingdom.

I want to thanks Simon Reeves for let me use his photos and for let me share his fantastic discovery.

The water proof military chronometer reference 2410

2010-10-04T23:51:00.008+01:00

This is a very rare 30 meters water proof Omega chronometer with radium numbers and hands inserts. It looks like a military watch and was released in 1946. It is highly probable that this watch was produced for military use. The screw back water resistant and radium Arabic numerals and hands are some of the specifications of the military watches from WW II.
The case measure 35mm and it was available in stainless steel and stainless steel with 14k bezel.

The beautiful 16 jewels 30T2 SC RG coper plated movement with polished white metal parts and micro regulator.
The 2410 water resistant at 30 meters screw in case back.

The pictures were taken from Google image buffer and I could not find the owner. I hope he doesn't mind ;-)

Ref 2367, The Omega chronometer masterpiece

2010-10-04T23:12:00.009+01:00

This is one of the most beautiful watch ever made by Omega. Even today is completely actual and its considered a masterpiece in terms of design, liability and accuracy.
It was released in 1943 and it was available in stainless steel, stainless steel with 14k bezel, solid 14k gold or 18k gold. The case is similar to the 2366, measuring 35,5mm. This reference was replaced by reference 2528 some years after.

The dial is a beautiful work of art. The combination of rail road markers with standard chronometer markers show without any doubt is true essence. The Roman numerals on 12, 4, 6, 8 and 10 interrupted by raised metal dots inside a circle of different tone and the cross lines that became a omega landmark for their chronometer series.
The 2367 was engined by the 30 T2 SC RG with central seconds and micro regulator. The perfect movement for the perfect watch.

The case was non water proofed with press in back, but this watch was not a sport watch for a daily base wear, but a precision tool for specific use.

The Omega big size chronometer Ref 2366

2010-05-31T14:48:00.011+01:00

The reference 2366 was introduced in 1943.
This is a big size watch measuring 35,5mm. It was equipped with indirect second 30 T2 RG movement, and the case was circular with press in back. The design was very similar to the 2365 but 2,5mm wider. This example is the CO 2366 in stainless steel and 14k gold bezel. There were also made in 14k and 19k solid gold. There were several different dial types.

Those 35,5mm are very rare and with the fever for big size watches as raise in value during the last years. The 2366 model with indirect centre seconds are one of the most desired Omega chronometer and even with stainless steel case can reach very high values.

The reference used the 30T2RG movement with micro regulator. Note the polish work on the white metal parts. In 1994 Omega created the homage with 36mm who was supposed to be a contemporaneous version of those watches but in my opinion didn't get near in terms of look or finishing.

Omega Chronometer 2365

2010-05-31T13:33:00.007+01:00

This center second chronometer was created in 1943 and equipped with a 16 jewel 30 T2 SC RG calibre. It was available in stainless steel, solid 14K gold bezel on stainless steel, 14k and 18k solid gold.The case is round measuring 33mm diameter with press in case back. The lugs hare straight and the case back is rounded.

It should have Roman or Arabic numerals and 1/5 of second markings around it with the word chronometer or chronometer above the painted omega logo. It should have long sward hour and minute hands and in some cases the second is in a different colour. I have seen it in blue and black second with white metal hour and minute.

Omega chronometer 2364

2010-04-07T21:48:00.009+01:00

Omega chronometer 2364

The Omega chronometer reference 2364 is the first chronometer referenced with the calibre 30 T2 RG with a sub second dial at 6 o clock.
It was created in 1943 and it was available in stainless steel, golden bezel on steel, 14K solid gold and 18K solid gold.

The case references were the following ones;
CK2364 - Stainless steel.
CO2364 - 14k bezel on stainless steel.
OJ2364 - 14K solid gold.
OT2364 - 18K solid gold.

The case was a non water resistant with 33mm. The case back was press-in type and the crystal was hesalite.
The two tone dial as Arabic numerals and the rail-road track on the edge. The sub dial as also a rail road markings. The hands hare spade stile painted in black.

The 30 T2 RG movement, coper plated in this case has a micro regulator adjustment and polished white metal wheels. It is the 17 jewels model and is a bit thinner than the SC model due to the absence of the centre wheel bridge.

Omega 2292 30 T2 SC Royal Air Force 6B/159 Pilot watch

2010-03-17T16:26:00.016+00:00

6B/159 Air-chronometer

Omega Royal Navy Fleet Air Army version of the Mark VII 6B/159 wristwatch.
Those watches were produced to meet the Royal Air Force 6B/159 Mk VIIA standards
Watches with MK VII should pass a test of 12 hours in each position and temperature plus 0ºC.
The position were Dial up and pendant down and the temperatures were the normal plus 0ºC.
The permissible errors were
3 hours - 4 sec
6 hours - 5sec
12 hours - 8sec
24 hours - 15sec

Those watches were destined to RAF pilots or navigators and needed to be highly curate with hack device as they were used to calculate location, distances and astronavigation. According to the Omega archives, the movements were precision movements regulated to chronometer standard.

The case was formed by 3 piece. This example has a plated light alloy bezel and middle, and a stainless steel snap back. There hare some examples with complete stainless steel case.
The dial was white with Arabic numbers and 60 marks around it. The hand are from blue steel.

The example shown 2292 were produced since 1943 and were specific adjusted to the Air Ministry. In the case back you can find;
A.M. - Air Ministry
6B/159 - 6B stands for 'Aircraft Navigation Equipment, Accessories and Unit Servicing Parts'. The 159 stands for navigation watch.

Serial deliver number/Year

Those marks were made by Omega and not RAF, so I don't think you will find big difference in the markings.

The movement is a 30 T2 SC, with normal finishing but with special adjustment.
The serial number should be between 98xxxxx to 103xxxxx

There were two versions. One with stainless steel case CK 2292 and other made from light alloy UK 2292 of aluminum, copper, magnesium and manganese.

This is a page token from the instrument manual of the Royal Air Force from 1966.
The photo shows the Omega MK 7A 6B/159 with rail road markings.

The maximum error are 3, 5 and 15 for 3, 6 and 24 hours respectively in horizontal dial up and vertical crown down.

Omega chronometer reference 2244

2010-02-23T10:08:00.003+00:00

The 2244 case is similar to 2254 but not water resistant, with press in back. It was engined with 30T2SC movement, not with RG, so I suspect it was only manufactured between 1940 and 1942 and then replaced by the 2254.
Its probably a early model and its extremely rare. If anyone have information or photos of this model please let me know. I will keep on looking...

Omega chronometer reference 2254

2010-02-23T08:56:00.014+00:00

This is a strange case for me and Its difficult to be sure if a 2254 case should or not hold a chronometer movement. It seems this case was used for different models, and some of them military. With the military watch fever some 1st generation chronometers end even RG models were redialled to look like the military model. I have seen more than one.

This 35mm 30 meters water resistant case was introduced in 1941 with the calibre 30T2SC. After 1943 all the 2254 chronometers should ave 30T2Rg movements.

1941 to 1943 ref 2254 model
Equipped with the 30T2SC rhodium plated central second movement with 16 jewels, non shock protection and standard regulator. The most visible difference from the standard movement can be seen in the finishing of the transmission and ratchet wheel.
It can't be taken as the only role, always confirm the serial number with the Omega production table. This movement, in my opinion, should have serial number between 9000000 and 9800000 but it it's just a guess. Omega always kept some movements in stock for future use and the year/serial number tables hare not exact.

1943 and after ref 2254 model
This model should hold the 30 T2 SC RG movement with central second and 16 jewels without shock protection. It should be coper plated and not rhodium.
Its easy to identify this movement by the micro regulator screw on the balance cock and the different finish on the white metal parts.
It is one of the most beautiful movements ever made, and also one of the most solid and reable from Omega. Most of the 30 SC T2 RG movements were fitted in solid gold cases, so its normal to find this movement sold without or with incorrect case.

I like to thanks to Squelette to let me use his photos

squelettewatches

Omega 2179 US ARMY chronometer

2009-10-29T21:00:00.008+00:00

This watch was sold today on Ebay for 302USD. It was fabricated in 1941~1945 and by Omega database its its one of the firs Omega chronometer rated wrist watches.
Known as Omega "US ARMY", they were distributed to Army/USAAF/USAF in Europe in the closing months of WWII and the early occupation years.From Omega Database;
"This watch style - based on reference 2384 - has been delivered to the "U.S.Army" in a limited quantity of 10'000 units, during spring 1945. It bears a "U.S. Army" engraving on the outside case back.

Movement

Type: Manual winding (mechanical)
Caliber number: 30 T2 SC
Special high precision adjustment of the movement (like a chronometer)
16 jewels
Central sweep-second hand

Functions
Chronometer

I don't believe it is the first omega wrist watch rated as chronometer but it was a great deal for the buyer anyway.

The Omega 30 T2 RG movement

2009-10-28T15:59:00.006+00:00

The 30 T2 RG was created in 1943 and its based on the 30 movement with sub second hand.

Photo from www.30t2.com

The Omega 30 SC T2 RG Movement

2009-10-28T14:04:00.014+00:00

The 30 SC RG and it is based on of the best and famous movements made by Omega. The Caliber 30, created in 1939. This movement is one of the main reasons of the success of Omega in the 40's.
Its a very robust and simple movement, easy to assemble and maintain. The construction is very simple with two main bridges; one for the barrel and other for the train wheels that includes the escape wheel. There balance cock is very robust and in the RG model is equipped with fine adjustment micro screw. In the central second model (SC) there is an extra bridge for the sweep seconds pinion.
Omega produced more than 3000000 movements based on the caliber 30 from 1939 to 1963. In 1943 Omega add the incabloc shock proof system to this movement.
The 30 SC RG T2 (Cal 281), was created in 1940 and it as a copper plating coating and the ratchet and crown wheels are polish with a beautiful circular pattern.The movement reference is engraved on the main bridge, right above the balance wheel and in the train wheel bridge is engraved Omega Watch Co, Seventeen 17 Jewels, Adjusted do (5) positions and temperatures, SWISS. This inscription can be different depending on year.
The beat is 18000/hour and it has a power reserve of 42 hours. It was produced with 17 jewels, but I have heard of some earlier models with 16 and later ones with 18.

1st Omega Chronometer wrist watch

2009-10-26T16:34:00.007+00:00

The first chronometer in Omega database is the US ARMY reference CK 2179 with calibre number 30 T2 SC. Its not marked as a chronometer and for sure is not the first Omega watch adjusted like a chronometer.
By Omega database the first one marked as a chronometer is the reference CK 2254 with calibre 30 RC T2 from 1941. It was also released with calibre 30 SC RG (Chronometer certified with fine regulator).
This was a 30mm movement with only two bridges and the balance cock, very robust, simple to assemble and maintain with 17 jewels and adjusted to five positions and temperatures.
One of the best watches at the time and one of the best ever from Omega.

Chasing chronometers on Ebay

2009-10-26T12:57:00.007+00:00

I use Ebay for 5 years and, and although all the problems related to fakes, unscrupulous sellers, etc, its the best vehicle to find some fantastic bargains. I am using Prospector as a sniping tool and I have bought some fine pieces with it. Its basically a search tool with possibility of scheduling the bid to the last minute. It can save you a lot of time and money and it cost almost nothing.
I don’t have any tracking of how many watches I bought on Ebay but, it was certain more than 100 and I have only get one fake and 1 or 2 Franken. Almost all the parts I have were bought there and some of them hare unique and cant be found elsewhere.
Most of my watches were bought under 200$ and that’s include some Omega connieis, eterna, etc.
I have tried some other online auction houses but they hare much more limited, with few possibilities of finding bargains and not totally free from fakes. I have seen fakes and Frankens even in the best auction houses.

Some tips for buying in Ebay;
1 - You must profoundly know the article you will buy. Learn as much as you can from your subject. Look in omega database, search in Google for photos, information and specifications from the watch you want. Compare pictures and prices.
2 – Ask questions before you buy.
3 – Don’t bid on sellers with zero or under 50 feedback.
4 – There hare no miracles. Now body will sell something under a minimum reasonable price. If you find a speadmaster under 500$, probably It’s a fake or the seller will not finish the transaction.
5 – Narrow your search. Resume your searches to your goal or you will end with a bunch of un useful bargains.
8 – Use a sniping tool or bid in the last minute. Enter in a bid war before time, normally will end up in increase the price article above their real price.
9 – Be friendly and honest.
10 – Most important. Pay with Paypal. Unfortunaly it’s the only way to insure your buying’s.

Omega Timeline

2009-04-16T23:51:00.005+01:00

Omega time line;

1848 Foundation
1977 Louis Brandt found with her oldest son Lois Paul Luis Brandt & Fils
1879 Started their own complete watch fabrication
1880 After the dead of their father, Paul Luis and is brother César establish the company in Bienne
1885 1st mass produced watch Labrador with less than 30 sec day
1889 Making 100000 pieces a year was the biggest in the watch industry.
1991 Louis Brand & Frère
1892 1st minute repeater wrist watch in the world
1894 Calibre Omega 19 Line
1894 Omega chronometer started to receive official ratings from the Neuchatel, Geneva and Kew Teddington (London) observatories.
1896 Gold medal in the Swiss National exhibition in Geneve.
1987 Won the Grand Prix in the Brussels World Fair
1900 1st Omega wristwatch Lépine
1901 Watch for motorcycles
1905 Omega obtained 42% of all the certifications of Geneve Observatory and 68% of Geneve
1909 Time keeping during a balloon race Gordon-Bennett cup
1916 Military watches WW1
1917 1st pocket for sight-impaired
1929 Armure super anti chock watch
1932 1st Olympic time keeper
1932 Marine
1933 Rome – Chicago race
1934 Amelia Earhart’s Atlantic crossing
1936 Synchronized chronographs
1937 Waterproof watches
1939 Movement 30mm
1942 1st Chronometer 30 SC T2
1942 Automatic watches 30.10 and 28.10
1945 Mobile photoelectric cell
1946 Movement 321
1947 Cosmic moon phase
1948 Seamaster
1949 1st photofinish camera
1952 Constellation
1953 Ultrasound cleaning system
1954 Constellation grand luxe
1955 Ladymatic, Sapphette
1956 Acoustic start stopwatch
1957 Speedmaster
1960 De Ville
1961 Omegascope
1964 Constellation C
1966 1st official electronic recording
1967 Touchpad technology
1967 1300 Beta 21, 1500 Elephant
1968 Geneve Dynamic
1968 Ralf Plaisted Polar Expedition
1968 Movement 861, 1000, 1010, 1020, 1030
1969 Apollo 11
1969 Concorde Instruments
1970 Apollo 13
1970 Memomatic
1970 1sr range of electronic quartz watch
1970 Constellation Integrated line
1970 Movement 1040,1041,1045
1973 Movement 1310 Ant
1974 Marine Chronometer
1975 Apollo Soyouz mission
1975 Movement 1611 Albatros
1980 Dinosaure, Magic, Sensor Quartz, Megaquartz, Cal 1525 Vega
1981 Unassisted diving Jaques Mayol (101m) 120m
1981 Magic watch, Equinoxe
1982 Seamaster titane, Constellation Manhattan
1986 Symbol, Art, Seamaster Multifunction
1988 Faré Mission (4400m) 200m
1988 Seamaster Professional 1/100
1990 Reihnold Messner South pole raid
1990 Scan’o’vision low cost photofinish camera
1994 100th anniversary “1894”
1994 Self winding tourbilhon
1995 Cindy Crawford
1997 Michael Schumacher, Alexander Popov
1999 Co-axial escapement
2000 Omegatiming http://www.omegatiming.com/
2001 Dean Barker
2002 Ellen Mcarthur
2003 Sergio Garcia
2004 Michael Phelps, Ian Thorpe
2005 Nicole Kidman, Russel Coutts
2006 Solar impulse
2007 Hour vision
2008 Beijing
2008 Speedmaster 5 counters chronograph

Omega history Part 2

2009-04-15T00:17:00.003+01:00

From the foundation in 1848 to present, Omega has suffered several merges and bumps that affected the brand image to the public and in the luxury watch industry. There hare several distinct periods on Omega history,

1848 – 1879
During this period Omega used parts from other manufactures and the goal was to achieve the best watch with the best components.

1879 - 1930
In 1979 Omega started to fabricate their watch and components due to deliver problems from their suppliers.
During this period Omega has became a solid mass production watch company, with several patented technologies and developing and supplying watches to some important market segments has time keeping in races and providing accurate watches to the army in the ww1.

1930 – 1980
Omega was able to survive to the 30’s crises by merging with Tissot to form the SSIH group. A very large group that in the following years has became one of the most important and influence watch groups in the world. With the new financial stability, Omega was able to achieve some important marks in timekeeping, technology, quality and liability. Omega has reinforced their Marketing program, participating in the timekeeping of some of the biggest sport events, accuracy contests, diving events, and in 1969 the Apollo project.
In 1942 Omega created his 1st chronometer wrist watch. The 30 SC T2. Supported by their unique knowledge and experience in official timekeeping of sport events, this was a landmark to the company and it will influence the following models and brand image to the public. Omega was a mass produced Watch Company but could make high quality and accurate watches at the level of the bests.
In 1948 they created the Seamaster line, a sport line watch with solid construction, water resistant cases and very good overall construction quality.
In 1952 the Constellation line was created to target the middle high segment of the market and to compete with Rolex and other emerging brands. The constellation line was based on in house high quality automatic calibres that also were used in the Seamaster line but with some improvements and, of course, chronometer specifications.
In 1957 was released the first Speedmaster with calibre 321, based on Lemania.
In 1970 Omega launched the 1st range of electronic quartz watch

1980 – 2009
In the 80’s the Swiss watch industry was suffering the biggest crises ever. From Asia were coming watches much more accurate and cheaper than the Swiss ones. The Japanese industry was able to produce better and cheaper quartz components than the traditional watch companies could do. Omega was struggling with liquidation when it was merged in the Swatch Group. Omega lost some identity and started to share some ETA movements with other brands, some of them from the low segment. Inside the Swatch Group Omega was another brand more, and just adapted some group technology to the Omega design. This was done before with Lemania movements but now Omega was using standard ETA movement who was also sold by Swatch group at low prices to the market.

Omega history Part 1

2009-04-14T23:39:00.005+01:00

Omega watch Co was founded in La Chaux de Fonds by Louis Brandt in the year of 1848 at the age of 24 and managed the company until is death in 1879.
It was only in 1894, 14 years after renaming the company to Bienne, which Louis Brandt suns, Louis Paul and Cesar Brandt will present the Omega brand to the public.
Both brothers died in 1903 leaving the company to four young descendant's. Paul Brandt at the age of 24 was the oldest but inherited the vision and technical skills to drive the company to become one of the biggest and successful luxury watch companies in Switzerland.

In 1930 Omega has merged with Tissot, forming the SSIH (Société suisse pour l'industrie horlogère) in Geneva, becoming in a short period a watch industry giant that creating fifteen other companies in the following years including Lemania, Hamilton, etc. In a relatively short period they became the larger producer of movements and luxury watches in the world.

During the watch meltdown in 1980 Omega merged again. This time with another watch giant; ASUAG, known by the Longines, Rado and Swatch brands, to form ASUAG-SSIH, but the losses from the severe watch crises permitted that a privet group will taken over the company forming the SMH group. The SMH now called Swatch Group it’s the biggest watch and movement builder in the world and detained brands like Swatch, Longines, Hamilton, Omega, Tissot, Certina, Blancpain, Breguet, Mido, Eta, etc…

My obsession

2009-04-14T22:41:00.002+01:00

I am an avid collector and for the last years I have been collecting vintage toys, mainly old metal car kits from the 60s to 80s. On my quest to find lost parts I have bought a big lot of old watches. The goal was to take the small screws and some gears and use it to detail the 1/20 and 1/12 car kits.
When I started to dismantle the first watch, a very old wrist watch from Parker, I remove some parts, replace them on the watch again just to see if I could determine how did it work, and suddenly the balance wheel started to swing making the tine gears moving. I was amazed how a delicate mechanism, after 40 or 50 years of neglect full of rust and dirt, was working and keeping "time".
I started to buy old watches, tools, books and everything I could find about mechanical watches. After some months I had purchase dozens of watches, most of them damaged or incomplete, just for the pleasure of opening them and trying to repair the movements.

One day, surfing on the Ebay I bought a watch that caught my attention. It was an Omega Constellation from 1962, case ref 167.005 CD with original calibre 551 movement and pie pan dial. It was in terrible shape, the dial had lost all the inscriptions, the gold bezel was missing and the movement was rusty. I became in love with this watch and stunned by the beauty and simplicity of the movement. After reading some more about the Omega Constellations I began a quest for everything related to Omega chronometers and chronometers in general.
This was 2 years ago and now I have dozens of constellations in my collection, 100’s of spare parts and 1000’s of photos, books and documents about chronometers.
It’s my obsession now.