Recently a scan of a 1949 Omega advertisement was forwarded to me by a collecting colleague during an email exchange about a recent acquisition he had made of an early calibre 352 RG Chronometer. (Click on the scan above for an enlarged image of the advertisement.) The dial on his acquisition (see second pic – thanks Evan) was the same style as in the advertisement and he wished to know if his Omega was one of the batch mentioned in the advertisement.
Translated from French, the ad basically proclaims that, “A series of 1000 production line chronometers with consecutive serial numbers was submitted to the testing laboratory, Bureaux officiels de contrôle de la marche des montres” (the fore-runner to the modern COSC labs in Switzerland). The ad continues,” For the first time in the history of watchmaking, all without exception, receive the official certificate for timing (chronometer certification).” “Further, all are honoured with a special mention of particularly good results.” The ad goes on to say something to the effect that at the very moment the government authority demonstrated that this series of 1000 chronometers was such an exception, it could be inferred that virtually all Omega wrist chronometers rolling off the production line exceed such high thresholds of precision.
When one considers that in 1949 Omega had only been producing automatics for six years, it is a remarkable feat of manufacturing and quality control to achieve such precision in a production watch.
We know that this series of 1000 chronometers was submitted to the testing bureau between June 27th and September 22nd 1949. But how would one know if the watch in Evan’s possession belonged to this record-breaking batch? As the serial numbers were consecutive, the solving of this mystery hinged on whether Omega had a record of the serial numbers.
I contacted John Diethelm at the Omega Museum. John has always been very generous in sharing his extensive knowledge of Omega history and accessing the archives for unpublished information, and he replied that the museum did have a record of the serial numbers. So, mystery solved! All of the automatic chronometers were 28.10 RA SC RG calibre 352s and the series started with serial number 11’418’001 and finished at serial number 11’419’000. So, if you have a movement with a serial number within that range, know that apart from being a very fine instrument, it’s also part of history.
I have been collecting pictures and data on these early Omega chronometers with the intention of composing a larger essay about them. If you have pictures or information to share, I would love to hear from you.
Did my collecting friend’s Omega Chronometer have a serial number within the famous 1000? Well, sadly, no, but he is happy enough in the knowledge that he acquired an excellent model 2517 at a bargain basement price!
Nice blog about Omega Constellation watches.We are from online horology journal " Horozima " and we would like to add your blog to Useful links section of our web page.
Thank you for a very interesting article. I have an Omega 351 Seamaster Chronometer; C2577-4 Serial No 11870110. The word "Chronometer" is in red and positioned between the centre of the watch and the 6 digit. I have not seen this configuration on any other watch. Do you have any ideas about the watch? Kind regards, Douglas.
I suspect the dial has been refinished. The lettering also should read "Chronometre"
If you'd like me to have a look at the watch, click on the view my profile link on RH column.
I'm happy to do likewise.
If Omega were producing automatic chronometers in 1943, how did they make the claim that the Centenary was their first automatic chronometer in 1948?
Omega's first automatic chronometer certified movement of large size.
The 28.10 and 30.10 JUB were said to be the first auto chronometers. I should have said in the above text Automatics since 1943 - a slip of the pen.
I'll amend accordingly as that is what I know to be correct.
My essay 'Omega Centenary Collection' shows two iterations of the 2499, so if you click on the link on the RH column you'll find a full write-up of various models.
The originals were produced from late 1947. The movement dating only indicates when the movement was produced.
Overall the 2499 itself is not rare as it was produced up until around 1952, however the original JUB versions are getting scarce as attrition bites into numbers.