It is! the gold eight pointed star (yes gold) has a pinion on the end of its shaft which runs in a rack cut into the inner surface of one side of the slot on the end of the arm.... turn the wheel, move the arm...... soooooo finely adjustable. Railroad standards in 1900 demanded an accuracy of inside 30 seconds a week, in a freezing or boiling steam engine's cab, while being shaken about violently in a pair of coal dust filled overalls. The man who wore the watch expected fully it to pass its frequent time standard inspections with a minimum of service because it cost him a small fortune to purchase in the first place. Most of the chronometers we love from the Swiss only had to pass inspection once...... these were officially checked monthly on some railways and you better not be caught on the job without a current accuracy certificate! The "21 ruby jewels" marking is a bit of a lie..... the pallets are sapphires and the end stones on the balance wheel are diamonds...... The rest however are rubies, and this was made before synthetic jewels hit the watch market (about 1905)
Celebrating the purchase of TWO vintage Omegas from Christos, with my Longines 7293-2 cal.30L on an unusually warm winter evening (60 degrees!):
EDITED BECAUSE SOMEHOW I PASTED TWO THREADS INTO ONE. Sorry. that is so beautiful. What's under the hood?
Thanks. This is, it is simple on the outside with a little extra effort from zenith on the movement finishing under the hood.
unfortunately it is pre el-primero, 18,000 I think caliber 146. Many variations. I am also learning zenith too this was a lucky purchase.
Just arrived. Took the original bracelet of for a clean, hence NATO. New crystal (alignment to be sorted) and gaskets awaits. Still a very good feeling to, finally, have this on the wrist. Speedmaster Mark II 145.014 Racing Dial. This weeks starts very good indeed!