Omega 19''' Cal: OMEGA (19''' LOB)

One of the most important calibers ever made, the Louis Brandt & Fils caliber "Omega" gave name to the Omega company due to its great success in the 1890s. The Omega caliber was the first movement with the new improved winding/setting mechanism developed by Louis Brandt & Fils (Swiss patent no: 8760), which frees the setting wheel in winding position.

The Omega 19 lignes movement was launched in 1894 together with an more exclusive caliber "Labrador" made for the north American market. Both the Labrador and Omega calibers was produced side by side, the Labrador watches can be dated with the Omega serial numbers list and many parts are also interchangable between them.

The production of these calibers started with number: 1 000 000 and the first series cal: Omega have the serial number stamped on the barrel bridge next to the balance cock. As the caliber Omega 19''' was a very well performing movement, easy to repair and very solid built it was a worldwide succes, in 1903 the company officially changed its name to Omega Watch Co. The Labrador caliber was produced until aprox: 1905.

Example movements:

• 
  Pict. 1 - 4, no: 1 246 082, signed with the greek alpha on the balance cock, swiss patent 8760, manufactured in aprox: 1896. This movement has a edge on the dial side to support the dial. Last picture, the dial which was fitted.

• 
  Pict. 5 - 7, no: 1 475 100, signed OMEGA on the balance cock, swiss patent 8760, manufatured in aprox: 1898.

• 
  Pict. 7 - 9: rare blued steel parts movement (first i seen), no: 1 972 741, signed on the plates dial side together with swiss patent 8760. This movement has darker gold plating and all steel parts are blued. Manufactured in aprox: 1902.

Data: Omega 19 LOB

• 
  15 jewels, open face caliber, sub second.
• 
  Size: 19''' 42.7 mm.
• 
  H: = 6.55 mm.
• 
  N: = 18.000 A/h.
• 
  Power reserve: 38 h.
• 
  Mainspring: 2,50 x 18 - 0,20 - 570

Versions: L = Lépine, O = Omega caliber, S = Savonette, A - DDR = Quality/Grade, NN = new negative wind/setting mechanism.

Grades:

• 
  A: 7 jewels, flat hairspring, compensating balance.
• 
  B: 15 jewels, Breguet hairspring, compensating balance.
• 
  C: 15 - 19 jewels, regulator adjuster with screw or snail-star wheel, 7-8 collets.
• 
  CC: Fine C quality.
• 
  CCC: Very fine CC quality for 19 and 20'''
• 
  CCR: Extra fine CC quality for 19 and 20'''
• 
  CCCR: 23 jewels, 15 collets for 19 and 20''', official chronometer.
• 
  DDR: 23 jewels, 18 collets for 19 and 20''', official chronometer, after 1922 signed Very Best.