Introducing the Omega Chrono Chimes
Omega has just unveiled two different chronographs with chimes that come equipped with the same movement and which is so far the most complex developed by the Swiss brand.
Among the two most recent masterpieces developed by Omega are the Speedmaster Chrono Chime and the Olympic 1932 Chrono Chime, whose origins date back as its name reveals to the pocket chronographs used at the 1932 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
This unique movement developed from the ground up in partnership with Blancpain took no more than six years to develop and adds to the chronograph complication the chime of the elapsed time, all supported by 13 patents on a total of 17.
Speedmaster Chrono Chime
The new Speedmaster is all made in 18K Sedna Gold, and the whole includes, the case, bezel, crown, pushers, dial and its components, bracelet and most of the movement parts, so it is anything but discreet, presenting dimensions of 45mm of diameter and 17.27mm thick, a lug to lug distance of 53.3mm and weight 326.20gr.
Based on the CK2998 case shape with straight lugs, it features a tachymeter bezel in aventurine blue, a crown at three o’clock with a pusher that controls the chronograph, another pusher at 2 o’clock that controls the rattrapante and a third at 8 o’clock that activates the chime through a musical note, sapphire glass on the front and on the screwed case back that comes with engraved with individual numbers.
The blue aventurine Grand Feu enamel dial features, two gold sub-dials with a guilloché pattern and blue hands, two openings next to the sub-dial at 9 o’clock with the gold hammers of chime, Sedna Gold applied hour markers and alpha hands all filled with Super-LumiNova, PVD Sedna Gold chronograph and split seconds hands displaying the last a red tip.
The new Speedmaster is offered with a tapered bracelet (21 to 16mm) with a comfort-release adjustment system.
Olympic 1932 Chrono Chime
On the outside, it shows the retro design of its 1932 counterpart, through an 18K Sedna Gold case measuring 45mm in diameter by 16.93mm in thickness, a lug-to-lug distance of 59.50mm and a total weight of 185.50gr (almost half the of the Speedmaster version). It features a crown at 12 o’clock with a pusher that works the chronograph, a second pusher at 11 o’clock that controls the rattrapante and the third pusher at 5 o’clock that triggers the chime with a musical note.
The white gold Grand Feu enamel dial, comes decorated with a 925 silver hand-made guilloche inner bezel and two sub-dials, the two hammers placed next to the sub-dial at 6 o’clock are fitted with hardened steel to produce a better sound, blue hour and minute hands in the centre, blue PVD central seconds hand and red varnished split-seconds hand, and lastly, printing Petit Feu enamel Arabic numerals and minute track in black and Omega logo in red.
It can be used as a wristwatch, pocket watch or as stopwatch, thanks to its quick-change system which is complemented by a brown leather strap with an 18K Sedna Gold buckle, neck cord with a Sedna Gold attachment and a cord to use as a pocket watch with a gold attachment.
Movement
Finally, regarding the new Caliber 1932, it operates at 5Hz (36,000 Vph) as the original 1932 Olympic Chronograph, features several non-ferrous components to guarantee resistance to magnetic fields up to 15,000 gauss and comes with a power reserve of up to 60 hours.
The chronographs are priced at CHF 450,000 and CHF 420,000 (excl. VAT) for the Speedmaster Chrono Chime and Olympic 1932 Chrono Chime respectively, and are exclusive to the brand’s official boutiques.
More information at www.omegawatches.com.
General Specifications:
Brand: Omega
Model: Speedmaster Chrono Chime, Olympic 1932 Chrono Chime
Reference: 522.50.45.52.03.001 (Speedmaster), 522.53.45.52.04.001 (Olympic 1932)
Dial: Blue (Speedmaster), white (Olympic 1932)
Lume: Super-LumiNova
Case Material: 18K Sedna Gold
Case Dimensions: 45 mm Diameter x 17.3 mm thick (Speedmaster), 45 mm Diameter x 16.9 mm thick (Olympic 1932)
Crystal: Sapphire Glass
Case Back: Sapphire Glass
Water Resistance: 30 Meters
Strap: Sedna gold bracelet with a foldover butterfly clasp (Speedmaster), brown alligator leather strap with a Sedna Gold pin buckle (Olympic 1932)
Calibre: 1932
Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds, chronograph, rattrapante, chime
Winding: Manual
Frequency: 5 Hz (36,000 Vph)
Jewels: 45
Power Reserve: 60 Hours
Price: CHF 450,000 excl. VAT (Speedmaster), CHF 420,000 excl. VAT (Olympic 1932)
Availability: Now