Instruments · Chronometer
Chronometer by Omega, Switzerland, 1972
- Maker / attribution
- Omega (maker)
- Date
- 1972
- Historical period
- Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)
- Country of origin
- Switzerland
- Place
- Switzerland, Bienne, Bienne; Switzerland
- Object type
- Chronometer
- Dimensions
- : 40 x 38 x 105 mm
- Holding institution
- Science Museum Group, London
- Accession / object no.
- 2004-33
- Credit line
- Mr. Philip M. Hosken
- Catalogue title (original)
- Electronic f300 Hz Seamaster Chronometer wrist watch
Record summary
Held and catalogued by Science Museum Group, London (object number 2004-33), this is a chronometer by Omega, made in Switzerland, Bienne, Bienne; Switzerland, dated 1972. The Atlas places it in the Quartz Revolution period (1969 – 1990) of its Instruments collection. Recorded dimensions: : 40 x 38 x 105 mm. The record is illustrated with 4 photographs.
Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.
Catalogue description
The source record does not include a narrative description. The structured fields above are reproduced from it.
Historical context
Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)
Seiko's Astron begins mass quartz timekeeping; traditional industries contract sharply.
Electronic timing replaced mechanical instruments in sport, industry and navigation.
Read the period in the timelineMore instruments from this periodEarlier: Modern Mechanical Horology
Atlas type guide
Chronographs and split-seconds watches
A chronograph is a watch with an additional seconds hand that can be started, stopped and returned to zero independently of the timekeeping. Louis Moinet built an early example in 1816 and Nicolas Rieussec a recording 'chronographe' in 1821; Adolphe Nicole's heart-shaped reset cam (patented 1862) made the modern return-to-zero possible. Split-seconds (rattrapante) chronographs add a second hand that can be stopped for intermediate times; flyback chronographs restart instantly.
Chronographs were essential tools for doctors (pulsometer scales), artillery (telemeter), engineers and sport. In wristwatches, Valjoux, Venus, Lemania and later the automatic chronographs of 1969 (Zenith El Primero, the Chronomatic Calibre 11 group and Seiko 6139) are milestones.
What to look for
- Push-pieces on the case band or a single button in the crown (monopusher).
- Subsidiary registers for minutes and hours; tachymeter, telemeter or pulsometer scales.
- Column wheel versus cam control visible in the movement.
- Calibre markings of specialist makers (Valjoux, Lemania, Venus, Landeron).
Dating clues
- Pocket chronographs with heart cam reset: after 1862.
- Wrist chronographs: from c. 1910; two-button designs from the 1930s.
- Automatic chronographs: from 1969.
General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.
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