Omega

Description: One of the first-ever Omega models, fitted with the renowned 19''' calibre (''' = lines; 19''' = 43 mm diameter), characterised both by the perfection of its design, by François Chevillat, and the ingenuity of certain mechanisms, such as time-setting using the winding stem and by the relatively modest price. It was manufactured using methods that were revolutionary at the time: mechanise or industrial-scale production and "divided" assembly, i.e. a production line based on the complete interchangeability of each component in the movement. A production system adopted progressively by the entire Swiss watch Industry.

Considered the last word in watchmaking technology of the time, the movement was named Omega by analogy with the 24th and last letter of the Greek alphabet, a synonym for accomplishment, completion, summum, maximum, perfection and crowning excellence. It was an astonishing success and its name was given to the company in 1903. With its successors ranging from the small ladies calibre 9''' to the large observatory 21''' chronometer, 6 million units would be produced by 1931.

This last calibre, designed in 1911, would be renamed the 47.7 mm in 1919. Regulated by the famous watchmaker Alfred Jaccard, this symbol of OMEGA high quality beat the world record in precision in all categories at the London Observatory of Kew Teddington in 1933, and then in 1936, with a score of 97.8 out of 100: a staggering result that has remained unequalled throughout the history of watchmaking.