OMEGA Chronostop
The Omega Seamaster Chronostop was released in 1966 as a divers watch with a single pusher chronograph function and was recognised by the industry , being awarded with the 1967 Honor Prize for chronograph and sports watches. The prize was given by the Swiss watchmakers federation and was created to encourage creativity within the industry. Later the same year the Chronostop moved to become part of the Geneve collection to widen its customer base.
Despite its early success, the range has a short production period running for only eight years from 1966-1974.
The Omega Chronostop is sought after in the pre-owned market due to its unusual design , features and short span on the market.
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Released in 1966 and Originally part of the Seamaster range, the Omega Chronostop was designed as a simplified chronograph, with only a 60 second timer controlled by one pusher.
The timer would be started by pressing the singular pusher and stopped with the next click, upon releasing the button the second hand would reset back to the 12 o'clock position. The Chronostop range also included versions with a rotating inner dial with the functions of Tachymeter, Pulsimeter and a 60 second dive timer as well as the standard 60 second timer.
The Chronostop was only part of the Seamaster collection for one year until it was transferred to the Geneve Collection but in this time is gained appreciation from the watch industry, having won the 1967 honour prize for Chronograph and sports watches.
With the move to the Geneve Collection, the design and price point was modified to appeal to a younger and wider audience, with its quirky tonneau shaped case being reduced in size and many colour variations being offered.
The Chronostop was used as the official timer of the Olympic Games held in Mexico in 1968. Omega went on to release Olympic Games editions with dials and straps corresponding to the colours of the Olympic Rings fitted with the Calibre 920 movement, which was the movement that was used in all of the date versions of the watch.
The most unique model to come from the range was the ‘Chronostop Driver’. The Chronostop was after all, intended to be a timer model and the Driver leant itself to checking times whilst on the circuit. The dial on this unusual model was rotated so that the 12’o’clock marker sat in the position of the 3 o clock on a standard dial. These changes were made with the intention of the watch being worn on the underside of the wrist and could therefore be easily read whilst driving. Omega even offered personalisation of the watches clasp, as now this was to sit on the top of the wrist and not hidden as with all other wrist watches.
The Omega Chronostop had a short period of production ,which ran from 1966 to 1974, in this time all watches were powered by two manual wind mechanical movements. The calibre 865 was used to power the non-date version and the calibre 920 was used in the date versions of the Chronostop.
