Lot 204

Omega

An electromechanical wrist chronometer movement in an aluminium case for observatory testing - with extract from the chronometer archives by Andreas Hidding

This Omega chronometer movement was tested in the category "Chronomètres à Résonteur Acoustique" in 1971 at the Neuchâtel observatory, where it finished in 2nd place (14 participants) in the class "Chronomètres de poche". The movement was adjusted by André Brielmann, one of the most famous regleurs at Omega.
This wrist chronometer movement is the Diapason calibre (tuning fork calibre) of the last precision pocket chronometer record in Omega's history in 1971. It was developed by Max Hetzel, father of the famous Accutron calibre launched in 1960 by Bulova, and again was adjusted by André Brielmann. This "Swissonic" prototype, with its heart-shaped high frequency tuning fork (the later 1220 Megasonic) won the last precision competition held by the Neuchâtel Observatory. Although small in size, this calibre was admitted to the "pocket chronometer" category, as the "wrist chronometer" category had already been abolished in 1968. The Diapason smashed all previous records set by watches other than quartz.
Source: "Omega" by Marco Richon, Bienne 2007, p. 199.