Omega
50th Year of the Automatic Chronograph: The Second Wind
Omega
50th Year of the Automatic Chronograph: The Second Wind
Once the race for the automatic chronograph was over, and their popularity led to a resurgence in interest in chronographs, others began to follow and invent their own calibres. Following the pioneers was Lemania, which had attempted to build an automatic chronograph back in 1947 and in fact made a prototype, though it supposedly never left the factory.
Seiko continued to expand on its integrated column wheel, vertical clutch chronograph offerings, adding the 701X series in 1970, shortly after its 6139. The movement really built on what its predecessor had achieved and for some time, stood as the slimmest automatic chronograph with a vertical clutch in existence. In fact it held that title up till 1987, when Frederic Piguet’s calibre 1185 made its way to the top of that list. Quick fact: all of Audemars Piguet’s Royal Oak automatic chronographs are still powered by the 1185 (aka AP Selfwinding Calibre 2385). Seiko’s 701X was made by the Daini side of the family and was unique in that it did not have a seconds hand and stood just 6.4mm high, significantly slimmer than the 7.9mm of the 6139 just a year ago.
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50th Year of the Automatic Chronograph: The Drive In-house
50th Year of the Automatic Chronograph: Race to be the Best