Thank you so much Jim... I reached out to Omega and they said they have closed their major archive for the time being and it did not appear in their online archive. I've noticed some models fetch a reasonable price these days. It has 18k stamped above what appears a queens head that appears on various parts inside the case. I don't suppose you'd know if it's worth adding to my insurance?
Nice images! That helps: thank you.
The information Jim provides tells you almost everything.
As you see from the extract from AJTT, the calibre is a 19’’’CHRO SOB. The Omega reference is probably CH820.19
To explain. The first chronograph that Omega produced was the 19’’’CHRO. Because the ‘format’ is savonette (hunter), it has the letters ‘SO’ (savonette Omega). The ‘B’ shows the quality (depending on the number of jewels, finish etc) – it is just possible that it is a quality ‘C’ (thus 19’’’CHRO SOC).
The swan-neck regulator was standard on this grade of these calibres.
Regarding the Omega reference, the lépine (open face) versions had odd numbers, the savonette had even numbers (as here).
Although being savonette in format (thus with the crown at 3 o’clock), the movements for the savonette were the same as for the lépine (with an extra lever for the reset at a different position).
The 19’’’CHRO was produced with version that had either a 15-minute ‘elapsed’ time sub-dial or a 30-minute sub-dial. Here we see a 30-minute sub-dial – that means that the pointer should ‘jump’ to the next minute as the chronograph seconds hand passes 12 o’clock. And it should ‘jump’ – because the movement has a ‘finger-piece’ that leads to the jump (other chronographs sometimes showed a gradual increase of the elapsed minutes).
The 1/5th second divisions were standard on all the 19’’’CHRO.
I’m afraid I don’t subscribe to the ‘navigation’ suggestion – although of course it could have been used for navigation, or anything else). The sub-dial is elapsed chrono minutes not calendar.
Sadly these beauties are not valued particularly highly. If it is 18k gold, that of course increases the value. I’m only guessing at $2000 to $4000 (depending on where it were to be offered) – so definitely worth insuring. But the value to you must surely be sentimental. A lovely watch.
