Hi There,

I'm new here and hoping to find out more info on a watch I have. From what I believe it's a early 1930's watch using a 33.3 manual wind movement.
Where I can't find any reference to this watch is that it is a one button chrono and tachometer.
Does anyone know it's watch or have a reference to it?
I have added one image of The watch.
Would love to know more about it.

Thanks.
Shem

 

Hello
If you type in single button 33.3 chronograph in the internet you will get what you are looking for. This is what I found but the reference number may be different.

OMEGA SINGLE BUTTON 33.3 CHRONOGRAPH WRIST WATCH CIRCA 1939, REF. 9016817 D: White enamel dial with applied Breguet numerals & Breguet hands, double register recording minutes & continuous seconds. M: 17 jewel manual wind movement signed Omega Watch Co. & numbered, calibre 33.3 Chro. C: Circular case, signed Omega, stop/start ``olive`` shaped pusher, reset pusher with crown, case diameter measures approx. 37.5mm.

 

Here is some detailed information on the movement (read the full article here: http://www.donindiano.net/watches/breguet/type_xx/#type_xx
Lemania 15 / 22xx / Omega-Tissot 33.3 / Omega 170 generation
Dimensions 15 lignes (33.3 mm)
Layout 2 registers (60 continuous seconds + 30 chronograph minutes)
Features Chronograph, hand wound
Beat rate 18,000 BPH
Chronograph actuation Column wheel
Updates mainly focused on Reliability
The Lemania 15 series, created in the early 1930s, is notably larger than the 13CH, and therefore more accurate and reliable. It was first used in pocket watches. This movement bears 17 jewels, does not hack, and has a power reserve of 36 hours.
To my knowledge, the Lemania 15 did not reuse any part from other Lemania calibers, which is a relatively unusual case of a totally new movement.

The 15 CHT is a 15 lignes manual-wind mono-pusher chronograph movement. Its column wheel has 6 teeth. It was later renamed Lemania 2210. With an Incabloc anti-shock device added, the 15 CHT becomes known as Lemania 2220.

Another movement from the Lemania 15 series, the 15 TL is a 15 lignes manual-wind two-pusher chronograph movement. It is particularly interesting as it is probably the most long-lived Lemania movement, and the first to be able to ship with the Flyback function (this particular version was called Lemania 2040). Its column wheel holds 8 teeth.

The 15 TL used by Omega and Tissot (during the Tissot-Omega merger) was named Omega 33.3 and Tissot 33.3 (33.3 CHRO), after the dimension of the movement (in millimeters). There have been several minor evolutions of this movement, called 33.3 CHRO T1, T2 etc. through T6, until the movement was eventually called Omega 170 in 1949 (and Omega 171, in the case of the 33.3 CHRO T6 PC AM). 13,700 pieces of those movements were produced from 1933 to 1952.

Wristwatches using this movement family: Tissot (as caliber Omega-Tissot 968); Lemania TG 195 (caliber Lemania 2225); Auricoste Type 20 (caliber Lemania 2040)…
This movement is often found in military timepieces from Czechoslovakia, Rhodesia, the French Air Force (see the Auricoste Type 20), the Swedish Air Force, the British Royal Air Force, the South African Air Force, the South African Air Force, the Royal Canadian Air Force…

Movements related to this family:

• Lemania 2040 (which may be an Auricoste denomination) with Flyback.
• Omega 2221, which is a 2220 with hacking feature (stops running as you pull the crown) and Incabloc shock protection.
• Lemania 2225 with Flyback and hacking function (there seems to be two Lemania movements with this reference. I am referring to the chronograph movement.)

 

That's a beaut!

 

Thank you Northernman and Lillatroll for your comments. I have found information about the movement, yet I have to find an exact replica of the dial.

Of interest is that the movement was used in military uses in South Africa, of places. I live in South Africa and htus this gives it some connection to the area.

Any idea of the value of this watch?

 

To be correct: This is not a one pusher chronograph!

Actually this is a 2 pusher chronograph where one of the pushers (the one to reset the hands to zero) is located in the center of the winding crown.

One pusher chronograph 33.3 has really only one pusher at "2" which is for all actions, start, stop, reset...

Here is mine - you can see the difference in the crown - it is plain!

This was the first version which was before the example of the OP

 

@mac_omega that is one beautiful watch! Thanks for clarifying. I'm new here so learning a lot and glad to have such great feedback

 

Thats a lovely looking watch, I have just picked up a nice cal 33.3 Tissot twin pusher in solid gold! The dial on your example looks original (font and printing) but there are more knowledgable 33.3 experts on there than me, case looks very crisp but that beauty deserves a more period band (IMHO)

Value wise, I am unsure but if all original and serial number are roughly correct (most 33.3's don't have extract information because they were manufactured under license by Lemania) then I would say the most realistic chance of fetching market value would be auction.

Here is my humble but lovely lovely Tissot, the pic really doesnt do this beauty justice

 

Lovely Tissot @Tom Dick !
One small item: Lemania made (and mostly also cased) all chronographs within the SSIH (Omega, Tissot, Lemania). They where the only company within the group with the capability of making chronographs. So technically Tissot and Omega chronographs from the 1930s until the 1970s where all Lenania designed and made. Licensing as such was not an item as they all was under the same ownership.

 

Here a few more pics of my new beauty, I'm in love

 

I recently saw he who shall be nameless (Dablitzer) sell a Tissot branded one of these for over £5k.

 

I think a more realistic price for a Tissot example is the one sold on our own sales corner last year for 3500 euro (or there abouts), I am not sure the £5K one as realistic, especially when a very very nice and completely original and straight multicolour Omega branded 33.3 sold on eBay for less than £4000 a couple of months ago!

Single pusher Omega version (same as this but with poor dial) sold for £2800 a few weeks ago, I would pitch this example around the above prices, although I will admit the OP's example is a pretty pretty watch.

 

I'd agree it was a high price, but you don't often see the pusher in the crown version. I recently bought a single button Tissot for a £1k which I hope to show as soon as I get it back from the STS spa.

 

I'm come to threads like this just for the vintage watch porn.

 

Just my humble opinion, but I'd have a 33.3 over a speedmaster in my collection. I just love the early 20th century design aesthetics.

 

My Tissot arrived back today. Running beautifully and looking superb. Many thanks to Simon at STS

 

If you visit again, may I ask for dibs, please?

 

That tissot looks Simply amazing, I am wearing it's slightly smaller prototype brother today, 1 of 1 underwriar driver calibre 28.9 T1's

 

Beautiful vintage Tissot, Tom. Though looking at it, it seems small. I'm guessing 30mm (when your 6 foot 4 inches and 19 stone, it's hard to wear small watches).
As far as mine is concerned, although the outer edge of the dial has deteriorated it is 100% original and it positively glows with a lovely warm golden colour which is hard to capture with an iPad.

 

Thanks, it's not a tissot is an Omega prototype calibre 28.9 T1, 36/37mm including crown, so you are right very slightly smaller than the 33.3 but an awesome piece!