Hi. Just a simple question: Are all Swiss chronometer movements engraved "tested in 5 positions?"

 

I don't believe so, though COSC certified chronometers are indeed tested in 5 positions.

 

So, a vintage Constellation with "chronometer officially certified" on the dial, wouldn't necessarily be tested in 5 positions?
This is the watch exercising my mind:Men’s Vintage Omega Constellation 564 Chronometer 24j Auto Date SS WatchPurchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network

 

I think that pre-COSC, chronometers could have been less than 5 positions. I'm still not sure what criteria were used pre-COSC for a watch to be given chronometre status.

 

Thanks for all the good info, I'm learning fast. Prior to 1973, the standard was different.

 

Hi Michael
Connies should have '5 positions' on the movement
Some earlier ones on the rotor then later on the bridge
This one has a replacement bridge

 

My wife is a certified chronometer! Where do i get her cert from?

 

Lol epic drift....I have to ask...Tested ....ions?

Tgif pat

 

The movement the OP posted the link to reminds me of this:

 

Ok now for some self learning. I don't think you can expect the movement to be marked. It's more knowing which movement is a Chronometer/re then researching what that would mean in a mass production.

First of a couple examples.
1970s
https://www.omegawatches.com/planet-omega/heritage/vintage-details/15801/

Movement shot of 1230 at end of page no engravings.
http://electric-watches.co.uk/movement-types/tuning-fork/

1950s
https://www.omegawatches.com/planet-omega/heritage/vintage-details/14796/

Movement shot of 354
http://www.ranfft.de/cgi-bin/bidfun-db.cgi?10&ranfft&&2uswk&Omega_354

Please note that I am not in anyway an authiority
And that the findings are inconclusive as there can be movements that are marked. Again this only looking at two movements from Omega. So Ill conclude that my initial thought is correct.

There is no requirement to mark movements in how many positions it was tested.

Cheers
Pat

 

That one also seems to have a rotor that rubbed at one point.
Also, shouldn't the back have a machined circular patterns (perlage) and not this matted finish?

 

Doing some more reading, this time at Desmonds excellent site.

http://omega-constellation-collectors.blogspot.co.uk/

I would pass any 50s 60s movement that didn't have the markings see this excellent doc..

http://users.tpg.com.au/mondodec//Movement1.pdf

 

It's an .018
I think they stopped 'perlaging' on later Connies

 

I think a rubbing rotor might be a reason to replace the bridge. So the movt. may be the original chronometer grade, with a replacement bridge from an untested watch.

Pat, you made your point well, thanks.

 

I was looking into your initial statement regarding should the movement be marked or not. With regards to the link you posted, I would look for no rubbing, and uniform colour. As @JimInOz hints at with the excellent Dolly vid.
The more I read the more I want it stated. Especially after rereading Ranfft and Desmond's entries (btw the doc I linked is on the right-hand side called "Omega Constellation Movements Part 1").

I even check my Connie to make sure I have the Tested in....(it does fffphew)
Thank goodness I asked questions here and religiously read Desmonds site before buying.

However, in the general case ie other manufacturers they all have their own quirks and practices so I would still say its all in getting movement shots and checking against references. Then asking the expert. Even if you have to put up some excellent drift coz it's Friday.

I've learned some new things because of your question so thanks for that.

Cheers
Pat

 

Back in the day when these were current production watches, Omega made the entire automatic winding module an assembly that you could order complete, and just swap it out instead of taking it all apart. This would have saved the watchmaker a lot of time, and Omega promoted this if you look at the parts lists of the time.

Knowing that back then these were "just watches" and not some highly coveted collector's items, it would not surprise me in the least if some watchmaker in the past installed a non-chronometer automatic unit on a chronometer grade movement - I can even see Omega doing this at service centers. I see evidence of things done in the past to watches at my workbench that were considered normal practice back then, that would be considered hack work now, so although many here will see this as a sign of some possible nefarious work done, there's a good chance it was just done as part of a regular service during the life of the watch.

By the way, if the rotor pinion is worn, it doesn't require replacing any bridges, just pressing out the old pinion, installing a new one, and reaming it to size.

Cheers, Al

 

Word of the day "perlage"

 

Thanks for spelling that out: I didn't get the Dolly reference until now. My mind linked it to the Karma sutra.