Hello members, as promised - here are the winners and the solution: DSIO hit the nail after only 6 hours with his statement "30 GD observatory competition chronometer" - well, actually it is not a "GD" but a regular Cal. 30, but his answer is so close we all can accept this, don´t you think so? YANN was the next to come as close shortly after DSIO STEWART H. thought it was a "tourbillon competition chronometer" - well I guess I would not have the funds to afford this kind of stuff JOHN R. Smith came up with the solution and a picture after he had failed guesses and also JIMinOZ joined in later with a correct solution and prior failed guesses... And here we go: If you read the title of the initial thread carefully it did state "grail" and not "grail watch" - this was a first subtle clue, as it actually is not a watch. It is a special movement in 2 cases which hold the movement properly to allow to put this unit in different positions as required for chronometer testing. It can´t be worn as a wristwatch, it can´t be used as a pocket watch (would damage all your pockets soon I guess) - the only use which would be rational would be as a small desk clock. The inner circular case is made of brass, the outer of aluminum. The first picture I presented as a clue showed the rim of the inner case - it has partly a sort of "coin edge" to secure the circular case in the outer aluminum block properly in it´s right position. You can also see the 2 large rusty screws which hold the aluminum case together (as another clue). You can also see the number under which the unit was registered for the competition (this number was also a clue). Someone thought it was a Cal 89... And here you see the aluminum case opened with the inner content The case has a screw on bezel and a screw on back with glass window as well - here with a glued on paper with the movement serial number The movement looks very simple, no special finish as on the 30 T2 chronometers with the black polished ratchet and crown wheel and other highly polished or satinated steel surfaces. It even lacks a special fine adjustment regulating device - no Rg nor a swan neck or snail regulator, just a plain regulator. I have read that some of these chronometers did not even have this kind of plain regulator, they came completely without! These movements had hairsprings with 2 endcurves and were regulated solely by bending these endcurves to achieve best competition results - unbelievable! There were specialists at Omega, so called "regleurs" whose job was to prepare these movements for the competition. What is also strange with this movement: It is marked as a Cal. 30 under the balance but the serial number would command 3oT2 in this serial number range. Another peculiarity is the number of Jewels - it says "15 jewels" but has another jewel at the minute wheel - so it should count 16 It also shows the serial number twice, once additionally on the mainplate (was also a clue). It has a peculiar balance endstone cap which I had never seen on a Cal. 30 before (was also a detail I showed) The winder is large and made of brass (not gold as someone supposed) - it is functional only, not to ornate the unit. All the movement looks very sober, not even the ratchet and crown wheel are decorated with a grain - they look like scratched... It is a plain tool watch without any decoration or fine finissage, a speed horse for competition only and designed solely for this purpose. BTW and it has a higher number of beats, I guess more than 20.000 maybe 25.000 while the regular Cal. 30 had 18.000 The icing on the cake is the original "Bulletin de Marche" issued from the Observatory of Neuchatel in Dec. 1964 which accompanies the unit. I am sure that this chronometer was used for several competitions over the years (as usual for good examples), last on Dec. 1964. The rating results were breathtaking - unfortunately never these days... and I do not dare to have it serviced... it is a once in a lifetime piece and I do not want to risk any damage... I hope you enjoyed the journey best Erich
Erich - lovely piece of kit; do you have any detail on its specific story - as in where its been and how it found its way to you?
Congratulations to the winner And a big thanks to Erich for keeping us interested, entertained, puzzled and sometimes frustrated I was with Stewart for a while re the tourbillon chrono, but that no-nonsense crown kept nagging. A fine historic item you have there Erich, and even if you just set it at 10:10 and let it sit on your desk, it's still a beautiful face to admire.
Well, as much as I am ready to share: This unit was in possession of a watch collector - who has now become of friend of mine... He had 2 of them! And he knew how mad I am about Omega chronometers, so he thought one should go to my collection - isn´t this very kind and generous? I think this is the "crown jewel" in my collection of 30mm chronometers although I can´t wear it, just only can admire it. So you know why my pockets are so empty
Erich Congratulations on this amazing chronometer and thanks for the competition, which made my evening Now, about that tourbillon . . . .
Now that is a real horological interest! I thought that I had a deep interest in the subject, but you make me feel like a real newbie! Thanks for the education, could never ever dream of that these pieces could be found outside the Omega Museum A big congrats to a great find of a piece of horological history!
Wow. That's what I call a grail. Only for collectors because of its historical significance, something you need to hunt, not something you decide to buy because it is fashionable. For the rest, I am speechless, it will probably take a couple of days of recovery before I can say something clever. It's amazing that this kind of piece can be found outside of the Omega museum. Congratulations. I wonder if someone will dare to dibs it?
Nice piece of kit Erich! I was tying myself up in knots trying to figure it out, but with no luck! It´s interesting to see the very plain and basic finishing on such an accurate movement, it really emphasises the point that all the lovely movement finishing that we generally expect to see on high grade chronometers is purely superfluous.
Great find, and I know it is keeping good company in your collection - very good company actually! Those timekeeping results are indeed breathtaking. Thanks for sharing it here!
What I would like to know is exactly how the observatory trials were carried out. There must have been a master clock, which the competing chronometers were set to. So, presumably, it must have been possible to 'hack' the movement - hold all the hands stopped, including the second hand - in order to synchronise it with the master clock. Presumably you don't wish to wind it up and try this, to find out, Erich? Which leads me to the second point - if you have wound it, how well does it run now, in terms of timekeeping? And regarding servicing, I would have thought that you could safely send it to Omega themselves for a clean and lubrication (but of course they might never let you have it back again . . . )
"There were specialists at Omega, so called "regleurs" whose job was to prepare these movements for the competition." I wonder if they still have this regleur in Omega nowadays.
And here is an Omega advert Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Networkfrom the 1960s featuring this type of chronometer -
Hi Erich, Congrats on your latest addition and many thanks for posting this very informative post all about this piece I just find looking at this dial to be completely mesmerising. Marc