Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

Geneva, May 12, 2013

LOT 395

OMEGA CHRONOTACHYMETRE Omega, Bienne, case No. 3586838, Ref. CH 543.19. Made circa 1903. Fine and rare, silver keyless pocket watch with chronograph, 15-minute register and Omega?s patetented (CH) tachometer scale No. 8760.

CHF 1,200 - 2,200

HKD 10,000 - 18,000 / USD 1,300 - 2,300

Sold: CHF 3,125

C. Four-body, ?bassine?, polished. D. White enamel, radial Roman numerals, outer minute/ seconds divisions divided into fifths, sunk 15-minute register, the first five minutes in different colors corresponding to the colors of the outermost tachometer scale, running from 10.5 to 180 km/h. Blued-steel spade hands. M. Cal 19??? LOB, frosted gilt, 3/4-plate, 15 jewels, straight line lever escapement, cut bimetallic compensation balance with Breguet balance spring, swan-neck micrometer regulator, the chronograph work is set on a separate plate fastened to the back plate. Dial and case signed. DIAM. 59 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good
Case: 3-19

Good

Dent(s)
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-24-01

Good

Slightly chipped

HANDS Original

Notes

The present watch was called a ?Chronotachymetre? by Omega. This term refers to the dial with its extended tachymeter scale capable of timing speeds both slow, 10.5 kph, to speeds that were not yet achieved by the fastest cars of the day, 180kph. Most tachometers from this period that were graduated to such high numbers were marked UPH as they were more commonly used for production timing. At the time this watch was made such speeds were encountered only in scientific experiments as aviation was in its infancy. This type of dial could be found on both wrist and pocket chronometers from this period. Cal 19??? LOB L = Lépine O = Omega caliber B = 15-17 jewels, Breguet balance spring adjusted to less than one minute per day