Additional information

Omega - 196.00.52

Seamaster Chrono-Quartz

Case

Dial

Description

The Omega Seamaster Chrono-Quartz was released in 1976 to celebrate the Montreal Olympics. Its remarkable design was based on the score boards used in sports timing. Its width of over 51mm and weight of over 150 grams make sure this watch won't go unnoticed!

The caseback of the Chrono-Quartz bears both the Seamaster logo as well as the Olympic crest. It is the only watch to be powered by Omega's in-house caliber 1611 'Albatros' movement, which was one of the first analog/digital hybrid movements. At the time of introduction, its price was over twice that of a Speedmaster Professional.

Picture courtesy of Antiquorum.

Movement

Omega's caliber 1611 Chrono-Quartz is a remarkable movement.

It was developed in-house by Omega and it is said that (pre-)production movements were ready in 1975, although it would not be commercially available until one year later. It was at the time one of the first hybrid (analog-digital) movements available; Zenith's Futur was released slightly earlier.

The Chrono-Quartz movement more or less consists of two different movements which use one single quartz resonator. It's 'Albatros' moniker is derived from the distinct shape of the clamp for the two batteries.

The digital displays can be used for timing or to display the running seconds. The analog half is similar to other Omega quartz movements from the time; the minute hand is advanced by pushing the crown, while the hour hand can be adjusted in one hour increments by pulling and turning the crown.

This movement was notably only used in the 1976 Montreal Olympics Chrono-Quartz.

More watches using the Omega 1611 caliber