The Omega 28.9 chronograph was Omega's first true wristwatch chronograph - the first small wrist chronograph movement made by Omega in 1932 when the company had merged with Lemania and Tissot.
Made in only very small quantities, Lemania produced the movements for Omega / Tissot. A small movement by modern standards, it had some reliability issues which resulted in Omega almost immediately introducing watches based on the Lemania calibre 15CH (Omega 33.3) in 1933 at which point the 28.9 was slowly phased out of the range until it was discontinued by 1943.
The calibre 28.9 was designed primarily as small wrist chronograph to be worn for sports or by professionals and was marketed primarily at sportsmen and pilots. It paved the way for the more accurate and larger caliber 33.3 (Lemania 15CH) to the famous caliber 321 (Lemania 2310) and the caliber 861, fitted to the Omega ‘moon watch’ used by NASA and still issued to this day to astronauts.
Stainless steel examples of this watch were used by the commanders and pilots of the Italo Balbo air force who used them on trans-Atlantic crossings. Another famous owner was Amelia Earhart who was wearing a 28.9 when she disappeared during her transpacific crossing.
Despite the significance of the 28.9 not many examples exist - they are now very rare and as such are highly sought after by collectors.
Besides its wonderful movement, our honest original example has a rare and gorgeous tropical black gilt dial with three colors that serves as its centerpiece and further adds to its rarity. It is original and untouched and makes a striking impression next to the notable and original 14K rose gold case, which even further adds to its rarity.
One of our watchmakers has disassembled it down to its last screw and cleaned and oiled it and installed a new pallet fork. We have timed it in five chronometer positions - it is keeping very accurate time. Photos of the inside available upon request.
For the finishing touch we have equipped it with a brand new crocodile strap making it ready for immediate enjoyment.
Included with the purchase is a full one-year warranty on the movement and its function, a custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity, and a new timing certificate attesting to the watch's performance.
Tissot:
Since 1853, the Swiss watchmaker Tissot & Co. has been building quality timepieces, driven by an innovative spirit and a focus on highly skilled craftsmanship. In 1925, Tissot began an important association with Omega. Shortly thereafter (in 1930 to be exact), the SSIH Holding Company (Societe Suisse pour l'Industrie Horlogere) was founded with Omega and Tissot as its first members. In the 1930's the two company's even sold certain watches branded both Omega and Tissot.
- Manufacturer: Tissot
- Country of origin: Switzerland
- Year built: c. 1938 to 1943
- Model: Caliber 28.9 T2 Chronograph
- Functions: Hours, Minutes, Chronograph, Subsidiary Seconds
- Designed for: Men
- Case material: 14K rose gold
- Case markings (inside): 14K, Tissot
- Case condition: Honest condition with a few dings in the soft 18K back and two on the left side
- Dimensions: 33mm wide (excluding crown and pushers), 39.2mm long lug tip-to-tip
- Dial: Signed Tissot, gilt baton and Roman indices, 1/5 second markings, three color, auxiliary dials for the seconds and 30-minute register, snail tachometer scale, tropical, original and untouched
- Hands: Original, luminous diamonds
- Movement type: Omega / Tissot 28.9 made by Lemania (CH13), rhodium plated, manually wound, shock-resistant, column wheel chronograph
- Movement markings: Tissot, Seventeen Jewels, Swiss Made
- Jewels: 17 rubies
- Band: Crocodile, fully stitched, padded, brand new and unworn
- Crystal type: Acrylic, excellent condition
- Serviced: One of our watchmakers has disassembled it down to its last screw and cleaned and oiled it and installed a new pallet fork
- Timing: Timed to precision in five chronometer positions on a state-of-the-art computerized watch system. It is running very accurately. Your watch is important to us, and we will take care of it for its lifetime. We provide the best after sale care in the business with an experienced team of watchmakers both of whom each have over forty years of experience and a large number of parts.
- Warranty: 1-year international warranty. Please email [email protected] for details.
- Box/Papers: BOX - Connoisseur of Time watch presentation box; PAPERS - Custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity; New timing certificate
- Returns: 7 days full refund. 100% satisfaction guarantee
