Omega Marine Chronometer Ref 1516

As far as watchmaking is concerned the 1970's is sadly most remembered for the so called quartz crisis during which many great Swiss watch makers disappeared as they couldn’t compete with the cheaper quartz watches arriving from the far East ,what many people overlook is that prior to the seventies many great Swiss watchmakers had already been pursuing the development of quartz powered watches ,the famous and highly collectible Beta 21 movement was the result of a group of these companies including Rolex and Omega working together to develop a highly accurate and reliable movement .Shortly after the development of the Beta 21 ,Omega went on to develop possibly one of the most important watches of our lifetime and for Omega the result of a huge investment rumoured to be around 30,000,000 Swiss francs and the determination to produce the most accurate wrist watch in the world ever and to this day the only watch certified as a marine chronometer .Most modern chronometer watches are at very best accurate to one second per day, this is accurate to one second per month. It’s also worth noting that when new the cost of this watch in 1977 was $1,850 which was a staggering amount of money 40 years ago.

This watch is so important that one remains on display in the British museum in London as there were only 7000 caliber 1516 watches ever made finding nice original examples is getting harder each year and values can only go in one direction.

The example I have today is in good condition and not badly polished as many others have been and the bracelet remains full size, the watch shows the original serial number on the movement replicated uniquely on the front of the case. The case is solid stainless steel with 14ct gold plaque and bezel, and integrated stainless bracelet,

In stock and ready for worldwide shipping

Our stock number 1378

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Please note that customers outside of the UK should be aware that they may have to pay VAT or customs duty to import the watch to their chosen international destination. All VAT and customs duties which need to be paid will be the responsibility of the purchaser.