1932 Olympic chronograph pocketwatch

[artb]

Not much information easily available for this large size split second chrono
Omega named 1932 Olympic. What I have read about it: Designed by Lemania for 1932 Olympic games. It was the first 1/10 second resolution mechanical timer for Olympics with 36,000 bph balance wheel rate. Most were made for games (200+) used even after Omega photo electric timers improved resolution to 1/100 and 1/1000 seconds. A very few were made as specials for sale including several made with skeletonized movement. These were made 1970-82 with black case for dealer sale. In 2007; 300 were made in gold cases and polished parts. Omega sales started at $65K, latest at $126K. Not sure if all 300 sold. A photo copy here. Other photos are of one a watchmaker had for many years bought used cheaply on open market. 169 on dial indicates it is later than 1932 as does serial 12780620. Maybe 1952 Olympics.

70 mm diameter ss double back case, movement marked: omega letter, 202,
20 jewels, Swiss Omega watch co., not marked for adjustment. Takes 2 days to run down although 30 hour rated.

[mondodec]

Thanks for sharing.

There's a whole specialist line of collecting here, perhaps Bill gates would take it up? :)

That serial certainly points to Helsinki doesnt it.

Cheers

desmond

[artb]

Still hoping someone would see this to confirm, correct or add to my knowledge. Mgr. of Omega Boutique in Vancouver got available info from Biel/Bienne museum for me. Confirmed authentic for Helsinki 1952 Olympics.
Quantity made unknown. They have one on display 262 on dial. Otherwise nothing newsworthy available. Just saw a unique special made for King of Siam in 1966. Has old style case in 18K, 32 diamond dial, same movement but with 7 digit serial not 8 for all others seen.(Maybe made by Lemania for Omega). Notice no external Omega name marked, only movement. This one off
special ought to be higher collector value than one of the 300 gold specials that sold for $65000 to near $100000 each. Somebody got maybe the finest Omega pocketwatch collectible for $8000. I do not know if Omega ever put the name on any of the complicated versions like many Swiss makers did. The movement photo is for same time made commercial one which also has nonserial serial number.

[DaBaeker]

Still hoping someone would see this to confirm, correct or add to my knowledge. Mgr. of Omega Boutique in Vancouver got available info from Biel/Bienne museum for me. Confirmed authentic for Helsinki 1952 Olympics.
The movement photo is for same time made commercial one which also has nonserial serial number.

Thanks for sharing the pics and the info. But one thing I am unclear about: I know the special edition polished gold is not yours and that the King of Siam's isn't yours-but is the one with dial marked 169 yours? Were you the one you bought it from the watchmaker at open market?

Also-Is the 36,000bpm not a big deal for a pocket watch this age and just a technical innovation for wristwatches in the late 60s because of the smaller size? I am guessing that the larger size of the mainspring in this Omega Olympic made the 36,000 easier to achieve as opposed to some of the hi-beat wrist watches like the Longines and Seikos of the mid 60s that were being marketed as technical marvels.


So-maybe you got lucky and the watch is yours?

[artb]

I bought 169 last year from a watchmaker that had it 25 years.

The balance wheel is small diameter. I guess big springs also drive it hard.

I am a little curious about Siam special that has no Omega mark on dial.
Wonder if a fine case made for a commercial movement like shown here not by Omega? Christie listed as Omega totally.

I got second posting duplicate here I thought was going to Vintage forum.

[gaopa]

Those are beautiful pocket watches. Thanks for sharing. Cheers, Bill P.

[artb]

Today find a third special that was at 2007 auction with conventional unpolished movement parts and 7 digit serial number. It is one of 50 made in platinum case 1995 and sold for $19, 500 Swiss. About $17,000 USD. At same auction they sold 3 in a set of 3 different gold colors of the 2006 built quantity of 300 with polished parts for $316,000. I have yet to see any sales for the working ones made for Olympic games use.

[georges zaslavsky]

They were some of the very rare and very desirable collector pieces with the first lemania double column wheel and rattrapante movements remanufactured as limited editions.

[artb]

They were some of the very rare and very desirable collector pieces with the first lemania double column wheel and rattrapante movements remanufactured as limited editions.

Do you mean the Olympic versions, or the platinum specials? Or all?

[georges zaslavsky]

Do you mean the Olympic versions, or the platinum specials? Or all?

As far as I can remember it was all models.