![]() Remember that at the time Omega, Tissot and Lémania had already formed the SSHI (Société Suisse pour l’Industrie Horlogère – Swiss Association for the Watchmaking Industry) the predecessor of the Swatch Group. Omega used this movement, they did not develop it. 27 marks the movement line where the number comes from the size of the movement at 27mm in diameter and 5.25mm in thickness. DL stands for triple date and moonphase, PC refers to the shock absorber and AM is for antimagnetic. Furthermore, the official name of the new caliber was 381 27 DL PC AM 17 P. Beforehand it was called the 27 DL (PC AM). However, that movement only got its name changed to caliber 381 around 1948 (some say 1949). Omega calls it the caliber 381 in their database. Let me explain Omega only used one type of movement in their Cosmic watches. As a matter of fact, believe it or not, that movement has a straight lineage to the Moonwatch. Some say that the movement inside the Omega Cosmic moonphase watches were in-house calibers. All of them came on a leather strap with matching buckles. It was also smaller in size but had a distinct square case, instead of round like all the others before. In 1951, the last reference of this collection came to existence as the reference 3944. ![]() The reference 24 were larger with 37.5mm. The reference 2606, 24 were all small (35mm) watches. ![]() As far as my research goes, Omega released six references: five in the late 1940’s and one in the early 1950’s. You had steel, gold filled, gold-capped, and solid gold variants (14K and 18K). The Omega Cosmic watches came in two sizes (34-35mm and 37.5mm) in four different case materials. At the time it was one of the most exclusive watches the brand could offer. The Cosmic collection was introduced in 1947 and Omega had it in production until 1956. Over time a few days were added or taken away and the (Gregorian) calendar we know today was born. One could look up to the Moon and tell if it was the beginning or the end of a month (well, this +- 29.5-day period). This cycle was recognized thousands of years ago and it became a way to measure the passing of time. This means that from new moon (when the Moon is barely visible in the sky) to full Moon (when the whole disc is illuminated) back to the new moon again our grey astronaut landing station needs 29 days, 12 hours and 44 minutes (and 2,9 seconds) to conclude. The cycle of the Moon is approximately 29.5 days. However, it connects us to the very beginning of time measuring. Moonphase is a complication that is fairly useless nowadays. Since Omega uses the latter term, I’ll go with that too. Some call it “moon phase”, others write “moonphase”. Vintage Omega moonphase watches like the 2486-2 we’ll talk about today. I’m referring to the triple calendar moonphase versions from the late 1940’s. Now, I’m not talking about the late 60’s early 70’s cushion-case (Seamaster) Cosmics and Cosmic 2000s. So, as I dwelled into the wonderful world of vintage Omegas I came across a model line that, to me, was the epitome of vintage Omega dress watches, and there were many. Still to this day I hold those watches near and dear to my heart. This was the reason – or perhaps the fact that my first Omega with a complication was a caliber 1040 chronograph. To me, a chronograph is one of the coolest and most usable features a watch could have. When I started to explore vintage Omega watches I was instantly hooked by their chronographs.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |