Exceptional movements
Along with the OMEGA calibres which have attained legendary status in the world of watchmaking, the company’s researchers have created some remarkable prototypes worthy of attention. A look back shows just how innovative these watchmaking pioneers were.
Calibre 28.10 Cal
A prototype self-winding rose-gilt movement with triple-calendar developed in 1944/1945 and never commercialized. This movement is based on calibre 28.10 (340) which was the first commercialized self-winding OMEGA Calibre. Had production of this movement gone ahead it would have been the world’s first automatic wristwatch with triple-calendar.
Calibre 30SC CHRON
A prototype manual winding movement with fly-back chronograph and power reserve indication developed circa 1940. As with the famous 19’’’ CHRO calibre of 1896 OMEGA once again worked on a development using a robust and reliable base movement and added a chronograph train, this time with the world renowned 30mm calibre. Had this movement gone into production it would have been the world’s first wristwatch calibre with fly-back chronograph and power-reserve indication.
Calibre 30 T2 “Noir”
A small series of four movements consecutively numbered 1234566-1234569 developed in 1941. Each movement has a black oxidised finish to the plates, however each movement is unique as the bevelling and finish technique is different on each piece. This small series of movements demonstrate that OMEGA has always been at the forefront of movement development not only technically, however also in terms of finishing.
Calibre 30 T2 SCS
The world’s first wristwatch movement with independent dead-centre seconds and subsidiary progressive seconds, this movement was developed in 1952 and was based on the 30T2 SC. The final development of this movement would be the 372 SCS which was used in reference OT 14.306 and launched as the “Syncrobeat” in 1953, only 17 examples of this reference are known to exist. The difference between the 30 T2 SCS and the 372 SCS being the later lacked the subsidiary second dial.
Observatory calibre E 11, 1965
The most sophisticated calibre ever produced by OMEGA. Built by Pierre Chopard under the leadership of Joseph Ory, the revolutionary constant-force – or remontoire d’ égalité – calibre was equipped with a high frequency Guillaume balance and a balance spring in steel with terminal curves. Its unusual polygonal shape allowed as much room as possible for an oversized barrel capable of assuring a much more regular flow of energy – without decentralizing the hands.
Marine Chronometer with a Jaccard “shockless” escapement, 1944
A unique piece transformed the design genius Philippe René Jaccard, who replaced its standard “percussion” lever escapement with his own patented “translation” escapement. The escapement is characterized by the fact that it is silent, free-sprung (its rate is adjusted by four regulating screws on the balance), has a detent, and does not require the lubrication of its pallets. One of many prototype movements developed by OMEGA over the last century which are “friction-free”, it is arguably a predecessor of the Co-Axial escapement invented by George Daniels and industrialized by OMEGA in 1999.
