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New Arrival: Omega Chronostop De Ville Cal 920 Italian "Fontana"

  1. chipsotoole Aug 25, 2016

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    Hello Omegoids,

    Taking the advice from the old souls here, I watched and waited, bayed in many different languages and nights of searching, but now I have the object of my latest affection: an Omega Chronostop De Ville cal 920. Omega apparently only made 61,00 of these movements and only for use in Chronostops. The style was made exclusively for the Italian Market Di Marchi by Fontana and it dates to around 69-70. It's in great nick with the tiniest amount of rusting on one of the needles. At 41mm it wears big in comparison to my other vintage watches , more like a diver really, but I just LOVE the grey burst.
    I've only see three other Chronostop De Villes come up in my time searching (most are geneves) so I'm pretty certain this is a pretty rare bird. The fact it came in a period vintage Omega box with an Omega plaque inside was just a great bonus. The only downside is the bracelet won't adjust bigger and I can just slip it over my hand. I think someone here said something about this. Italians must have had tiny hands in the 70's. At 437 Euros I'm delighted, probably the best Omega deal I might ever get and all because it only showed up on bay italy.com and not on any of the main sites despite clearly marked as such!! This one is a keeper..no doubt. I think it'll be a long slow buy and sell of other lesser vintage watches in order save towards a speedy in the dim and distant future, my WAS (watch acquisition syndrome ) is slowing down! Your thoughts....?
     
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  2. chipsotoole Aug 27, 2016

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    If anyone has knowledge to add about the custom made Chronostops for the Italian market, who Fontana is, or their connection with Di Marchi (the cycling/sportswear team?), or why a few are marked De Ville instead of Geneve I'd really like to know. IMHO I think they're some of the classiest looking watches Omega ever made. But why so few? Was the rise of the Dynamic (1 million sales) a nail in the coffin?
     
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  3. Delroyb Aug 28, 2016

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    Sorry can't fill in any details, but that is very cool.
     
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  4. mondodec Editor Constellation Collectors Blog Aug 28, 2016

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    Fontana is a jewellery design and retail chain with its headquarters based in Sesto Calende. One of the previous generations of Fontana, Fernando Fontana, was also the owner of the Lascor Case company which made specialised cases for complicated, jewellery and special designs for Omega. For example the Louis Brandt collection cases were made by Lascor and the original Geneve Dynamic as well. The Swatch group ultimately bought Lascor and it still makes specialised cases for Omega.

    The reason why the DeVille appellation appears on this model is that Omega closed down its Geneva factory in the later Sixties and could no longer use the name Geneve. Thereafter all Dynamic style watches were named DeVille as they were assembled in Biel/Bienne.

    The listing on page 549 of Journey is incorrect. The cases were not produced by Fontana but Lascor, and the reference to the model being made especially for DiMarchi (Omega's Italian distributor) isn't quite correct also. This case style appeared in DeVille Dynamics around 1970 and a modified version was used for the Chronostop because of the reputed Italian liking of this case style.

    The entire watch was was assembled in Switzerland. It is not usual for Omega to designate certain models for specific markets, although this model was also available in Switzerland. There are a variety of dial styles, perhaps the racing dial being the most spectacular.

    So, while a nice looking watch, I don;t think one would call it rare. BTW the oridinary Dynamic bracelet links can be used on the bracelet.

    Cheers

    Desmond
     
  5. chipsotoole Aug 28, 2016

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    Hi Desmond,
    Thank you so much for taking the time to answer . I spent hours looking for info and you've pretty much explained everything I needed to know. So Chronostops are all recognised as belonging to the Dynamic family" so to speak . Interesting too about De Ville name being used post 69. Final question: If only 61,000 cal 920 movements were produced for the Date Chronostop and Dynamic sales were over 1 million (presumably with a different movement) ,what sort of unit production run of movements is generally designated as rare (obviously before custom and limited edition pieces, or designated chronographs), or rarity amongst standard Omega watch families more about a combination of factors materials, dial, hands,strap, and movement?
    Chipsotoole
     
  6. mondodec Editor Constellation Collectors Blog Aug 28, 2016

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    I may not have been specific enough. There were Geneve Chronostops, Seamaster Chronostops and DeVille chronostops. Your case style is a variant of the DeVille Dynamic case that was used in post Geneve Dynamics, if that makes sense. So chronostops were not in the Dynamic stable, but Seamaster, Geneve and DeVille.

    The 865 and 920 calibres are basically the same movement, both are 17 J, but the 920 has a calendar complication attached. Both are Lemania calibres.

    In terms of rare, there are numerous factors involved in declaring something rare. Numbers play a part but at times not a significant part. Rarity is tied up with the properties inherent in the object, supply, and the number of people who want to acquire something (demand). I attempted to provide a definition in this essay.

    Regards

    desmond
     
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  7. chipsotoole Aug 29, 2016

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    Really great read, thanks for that!
     
  8. Burrellnl Oct 15, 2016

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    I've just seen a blue 42mm fingers crossed
     
  9. Burrellnl Oct 15, 2016

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    Your grey dial sure is mighty pretty, enjoy!
     
  10. chipsotoole Oct 15, 2016

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    Hi Burrellini,
    I think I saw the one you mean. It's the second time it has been posted for sale, though this time with no reserve. The dial looks pretty beat up, at first I thought water had got into but the movement looks to be in pretty good condition. You might get it for less than 300 GBP, but with that dial I would hesitate at paying more. Best of luck they are great watches!