Omega Olympic Split-Seconds Stopwatch
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1955
This nickel-cased split-seconds stopwatch was manufactured by the Omega Watch Co. in Switzerland circa 1955. It features a stem and button wound spring movement equipped with a lever escapement.
The movement is marked with the serial number 14781768 and is described as having twenty-one jewels. The dial is white and includes an outer ring of black Arabic numerals marking up to 30 seconds, accompanied by a secondary red scale. The watch is configured with two seconds hands, including an upper blue hand operated by the left side button, while the main winding button performs the zeroing function. The watch is also inscribed with 'Omega' and 'Olympic' on the dial, indicating its connection to sports timing.
The casing bears a Museum of Applied Science inventory mark, identifying the object as part of the museum's scientific and measurement collections.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Technical characteristics
- Date
- circa 1955
- Type
- Stopwatch
- Maker
- Omega Watch Co
- Jewel Count
- 21
- Case Material
- Nickel
- Place recorded
- Switzerland
- Movement Serial
- 14781768
- Dial Inscriptions
- Omega, Olympic, Swiss Made
- Maker / attribution
- Omega Watch Co
- Registration Number
- ST 34508
Design
- Visible features
- • White dial with dual Arabic numeral tracks for timing • Dual button configuration for stop and reset functions • Split-seconds mechanism with one blue hand • Museum inventory number 24086 engraved on the case
- Dial and Case Design
- The stopwatch is housed within a nickel case, measuring 6.6 centimeters in diameter. Its white dial serves as a dual-scale timing instrument, featuring an outer ring of black Arabic numerals calibrated to 30 seconds alongside a separate red numeral track. The dial bears the branding 'Omega' and 'Olympic' in red print, with the text 'Swiss Made' in black at the base. Physical access to the functions is provided by a crown at the twelve o'clock position and two secondary buttons positioned on the shoulders of the case. The winding crown serves the dual purpose of manual winding and resetting the hand positions, while the left-hand button controls an upper blue seconds hand designed for timing split-second intervals.
- Movement and Functionality
- Power for this timepiece is provided by a stem-wound spring mechanism. Based on manufacturer inscriptions, the movement contains twenty-one jewels to reduce friction during high-frequency operation, necessary for accurate short-duration timing. The serial number 14781768 is engraved on the movement back plate, alongside the manufacturer name and jewel count.
- Inventory and Documentation
- The object is catalogued under the registration number ST 34508 within the Museum of Applied Science, which notes its classification within the field of horology and science and measurement. The physical casing, including an associated outer case, is stamped with the museum inventory number 24086. Current documentation identifies the manufacturer as the Omega Watch Co, based in Switzerland, and provides an approximate date of production of 1955. The acquisition history remains recorded as an unknown method from an unknown source within the institution's files.
Identification
- Serial number
- 14781768
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: Specific technical nature of the split-seconds function not fully detailed
- Research required: Provenance or specific historical Olympic event association not provided