OMEGA, MARINE CHRONOMETER, HIGH FREQUENCY MEGAQUARTZ

 

ICONEEK price: 5’900.- CHF

 

 

 

 

Iconeek is proud to introduce here an unusual and rare mahogany-cased Omega’s metal megaquartz marine chronometer with sweep centre seconds and wooden box. Signed Omega, Chronometre de Marine, Observatoire de Neuchatel, No. 1552, Megaquartz, the present  high frequency clock was tested during 47 days at Neuchatel Observatory prior to receive its Bulletin of Chronometer. Launched into the market in 1980 as the "Omega Megaquartz Marine Chronometer", according to scholars, less than 1000 pieces were made out of which the majority was delivered to the French Navy.

 

This high frequency timepiece is fitted with a calibre 1525 (whose high-frequency quartz oscillates 4.19 million times per second) developed at the request of the SHOM, the hydrographic service of the French navy, in 1978, looking to purchase a quartz ship chronometer as a reliable time source independent of satellites and radio signals, which chose it for its fleet from among 36 other competitive products after one year of testing at sea under the most severe conditions. Accurate to within 1/100th second per day, or less than 5 seconds per year, at a constant temperature, this scientific instrument is powered by two battery, 1.5V, with a lifetime up to two years and able to function between -10 and +60˚C. The model successfully passed the most rigorous scientific tests at the Neuchatel Observatory: temperature variations, thermal shocks, magnetic and electric fields, mechanical vibrations etc., which after 47 days of examination earned it the official title of quartz "Quartz Marine Chronometer", with certificate. The Omega Marine Chronometer Megaquartz Calibre 1525 was designed by Henri Schneider. At the time of production, only an atomic clock would beat such an accuracy, however it was the most precise portable autonomous chronometer timepiece ever built with  an average accuracy of more or less 0.01 seconds per 24h.

 

« Pierre Aubert, the head of the Department of Foreign Affairs for Switzerland used this piece as an official gift for the recipients: King Carl Gustav of Sweden in 1985, President Mitterand of France and King Houssein of Jordan in 1987. It was also chosen by the city of Geneva to present to the Presidents Reagan and Gorbachev during the America-Russian summit in 1985 »- courtesy of Christie’s. 

 

A superb example of Omega’s thorough understanding in chronometry !

 

 

Condition: 9/10, in superb overall condition, with Observatory certificate, presentation booklet, user manual and wooden inclined stand for the chronometer