Homage To Bienne - Omega Constellation Marine Chronometer

It was produced in 1974 and yet nearly 38 years later, remains the most accurate and arguably, most technologically advanced wristwatch in the world. First unveiled to the world at the Basel Fair in 1970 when it was powered by the calibre 1510, this unique watch was developed by OMEGA in collaboration with the Battele Institute of Geneva. The first production model was made available to the market in 1974, again powered by the calibre 1510. Its’ measured rate of accuracy was around 10 times superior to a standard quartz watch and achieved through a specially-designed tiny disc-shaped resonator vibrating at an incredible 2,539,296 times a second.

The pinnacle of its’ development was a high frequency version, powered by the calibre 1511 which earned the title of Marine Chronometer from the Astronomic and Chronometric observatory at Neuchatel. At the conclusion of a 63-day rigorous test, the mean rate of variation was no greater than 2 thousandths of a second per day – that’s 0.73 second per annum!!! It therefore meant that OMEGA has been the only company ever to produce a wristwatch that has received Marine Chronometer certification.

The Megaquartz 2400 was also the first watch to be equipped with an adjustment device which allowed the changing of the hour hand without affecting the minutes and seconds timing mechanism. It also provided a fine second adjustment for synchronizing seconds with an official time signal.

The steel watch featured a 14k yellow gold bezel and an integral OMEGA bracelet with deployment clasp. The bezel was secured with four screws. The fine adjustment for seconds was located on the side of the case at 4 o’clock while the serial number of the movement is to befound on a 14K gold inset on the inclined of the case in the 6 o’clock position. The legend "MARINE CHRONOMETER" was signed across the top of the black dial. This distinguishes the two versions of the watch which merit the official and unique certification. Only the watches powered by the calibres 1511 ( case reference ST 398.0836 as pictured above ) and calibre 1516 ( case reference ST 398.0832 which is pictured below ) merit this certification. Production volumes for the two calibres were 1,000 for the cal 1510 in 1974 and 7,000 in respect of cal 1516 in 1976.