Swiss 18K rose gold open faced lever chronograph Circa 1905

Rose gold chronograph by Omega
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A Swiss 18 carat rose gold open faced chronograph pocket watch, circa 1905. The movement with a lever escapement. White enamel dial with Arabic hours, outer minute divisions, a concentric fifth of a second track calibrated from 0-300, subsidiary seconds at 6 o’clock and gilt spade & whip hands. A plain case. Dial signed, case numbered.
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Diameter: 53 mm
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Weight: 97.5 g
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Signed: Ω Omega
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Omega. In 1848, a young watchmaker named Louis Brandt opened a small workshop in the Swiss village of La Chaux-de-Fonds. In the family villa, it was here that the 23 year old Brandt began the company that was to become Omega. Brandt was passionate about precision and he set about developing the most accurate watches he could. Within a few years, his reputation for high quality watches was established within Switzerland and shortly after, throughout Europe.

After Louis Brandt’s death on November 6th, 1879, his two sons, Louis-Paul and César, took over the family business, inspired by their father’s passion for watchmaking and precision. Little did they know, they were destined to change the industry forever. Under the new name Louis Brandt & Fils, in 1880, the growing company moved from la Chaux-de-Fonds to larger premises in the bustling town of Biel/Bienne. The company first moved to 119 Route de Boujean and then to 96 Rue Jakob Stämpfli, the address that remains the home of Omega.

In 1885, the Brandt brothers launched their first series produced caliber, the Labrador. Boasting many new technological advances and superb timing results, the new movement was of excellent quality for the time. This strong beginning provided the base for future innovations such as the 19 ligne Omega caliber that would revolutionise watchmaking ten years later. The success of that movement was so great that the brothers changed the name of their company to Omega Watch Co.

By 1903, Omega had become the largest manufacturer of finished watches and had taken on the role of research and development facility.