Omega Constellation Chronometer Megasonic 720 Hz Ref 198.0038 37mm 1973

The origins

After the mechanical watches and before the invention of quartz movements in 1969, there is a curiosity that is very popular with collectors today: watches with "buzzing" movements. A movement combining the precision of electronics and the reliability of a mechanical caliber. It is an interesting step in the history of watchmaking, and its development is due to one man, its inventor: Max Hetzel. In the 1950s, he was commissioned by the CEO of Bulova Watch to produce a detailed report on the new electromechanical movements created by Lip or Elgin. This electrical engineer came to the conclusion that these watches had nothing sensational, but that they had two major advantages: their movements did not require motor springs and their batteries gave a one-year autonomy... He then thought that it was possible to build a high frequency movement, using an electronically controlled diapason. In 1953 he filed a patent on the diapason watch. Bulova's success came with the first diapason watch, the Accutron, released in 1960. It was the first wristwatch that did not use a balance wheel as a time base and had an incredible accuracy of 2 seconds per day.

What happened next

Max Hetzel then left Bulova to join Omega in 1969, in order to bypass his own patent, and develop an in-house diapason movement. The Megasonic 1220 720 Hz was born in 1973, a movement that was Omega's own, and at the time had the smoothest second hand ever made. But the success of quartz sounded the death knell for this type of movement, which was abandoned in 1976. Production was finally limited to 10,000 pieces, and this caliber will be considered the best diapason movement ever created.

What you need to know

The piece we are pleased to present today is in excellent condition for its age. This Omega reference 198.0038 has an octagonal shaped steel case combining polished and brushed surfaces. It also has a nice crenellated steel bezel. Note a purple trace on its constellation logo, and some traces of life on its mineral glass. Its serial number on the caliber 1220 indicates a production date in 1973, so it is one of the very first made.

The package

The model we are offering you today is equipped with an original Omega buckle, mounted on a black bull leather strap. If we had to keep only one watch with a diapason, it would be without any doubt this reference, being a true collector's item very rarely produced. This Omega Constellation Chronometer Megasonic watch has been authenticated and serviced by our watchmaker and as such benefits from the Lepage Vintage 1 year warranty.