Those in charge of the project deemed this battery life to be unacceptable and a
dramatic change of approach was needed. The second prototype – which eventually
evolved into the Omega production model, had only 5 frequency reduction steps.
This gave the necessary power saving but produced a very different end result.
Instead of the previous 0. 5Hz, the end frequency was replica
omega Planet Ocean Chronograph
. This was used to drive a vibration
motor resulting in a smooth sweep of the second hand such as that produced by
the Bulova Accutron – not the dramatic difference that the project had hoped
for.
To make matters worse, in Omega beat the Swiss to the punch,
launching the Astron SQ35 to the Japanese public. This was a watch that ticked –
like the Omega, but had a battery life of over a year.
In 1970 the Omega
was launched across all the brands that contributed to the project. Only 6000
units were produced before the vibration motor model was discontinued. Further
research reverted back to the previous replica
omega De Ville Prestige 24. 4mm
technology of stepping motors and
ticking second hands, but using new semi-conductors that reduced the power
demands enormously. By this time the Swiss had lost the research initiative that
was promised by Omega and were reduced to playing catch-up.
The Omega
stands as a testament to the desperate technological race that marked the
transition from electronic watches to modern quartz. It shows great innovation,
unbelievable cooperation but, ultimately, the replica
omega De Ville Co-Axial Chronometer
.
Omega’s version of this
watch is an exercise in bold early 70s styling. It is large and streamlined with
an intricately produced bracelet – a rare example of such a venerable mechanical
brand’s first steps in quartz. This Omega watch is offered as lot number 173.