Hartmut Richter
March 9th, 2006, 14:49
Which was the first chronograph movement to be able to time to 1/10 of a second? Not the Cal. 3019 PHC/PHF "El Primero" by Zenith, it seems. A recent short post in "ArmbandUhren" shows that this was a pocket watch movement (Cal. 3889A) developed for the 1932 Olympics. At 24''' (54.25mm) it was rather enormous - you would probably have problems fitting the resulting watch (around 60mm) into your waistcoat pocket, let alone onto your wrist!! Still, it was more than just a stopwatch, also showing the time to make it a true chronograph, as well as having a double column wheel rattrapante feature. Only 30 items were produced at the time. However, Omega has found some 300 movements of old stock and is releasing a limited edition of 100 each in various precious metal cases (yellow, rose and white gold, I think). Details plus a picture can be found at:
http://www.wristwatchreview.com/index.php/2006/01/13/omega-1932-pocket-watch-olympic-tastic/
Still, the El Primero remains the only wrist watch - perhaps the only carryable everyday watch!! - with 1/10 second chronograph accuracy. PLUS the world's first automatic chronograph!
Hartmut Richter
http://www.wristwatchreview.com/index.php/2006/01/13/omega-1932-pocket-watch-olympic-tastic/
Still, the El Primero remains the only wrist watch - perhaps the only carryable everyday watch!! - with 1/10 second chronograph accuracy. PLUS the world's first automatic chronograph!
Hartmut Richter