The Omega brand was established in 1894 and their first-ever chronograph movement was produced in 1898 called the 19'''CHRO. It was a pocket watch movement that coincided with the production of Omega's first-ever wristwatch in 1900. Clearly, these were the very early days of the Omega brand.
 
This Omega pocket chronograph has the 19''' CHRO movement and was manufactured sometime between 1898 and 1906. Designed by Francois Cheviatt it was at the forefront of watch engineering encompassing manufacturing principles that would help revolutionize watchmaking for Omega. It is difficult to imagine just how significant this pocket watch would have been to its original owner. The technology and material chattels we take for granted and surround ourselves with today had yet to be invented. In these early years, very few people could afford a pocket watch let alone a chronograph.
 
Now some 120 years old it still runs remarkably well, is fully functional and keeps excellent time running about 30 seconds fast per day. All original gilt Poire hands. There is a sunken small seconds dial at 6 with a matching counter-balanced seconds hand. The watch is wound and the time is set using the traditional crown at 12. Depress the button on the top of the crown and the central sweep hand starts. Press it again and it stops. Press again and it resets to zero. This is a 1/5th of a second timer and a second sunken sub-dial totalizes the elapsed time for up to 30 minutes.
 
The original white porcelain dial is in very good condition with no hairline cracks or repairs. The outer chapter of the dial runs to 300 so one complete rotation of the timer hands equals I minute or 300 x 1/5ths of a second. Within this is the technical index with 1/5th-second markers. Next are the railroad chapter markings followed by the Roman numeral hour markers 1 to 12. Signed in the centre for the Australian retailer W Easy & Co, 10 Hunter St, Sydney. The original bevel edge glass is scratched. 
 
The gunmetal finish case is in good condition considering it's 120 years old. There are no significant dents or scratches. The hinged case-back opens to reveal a matching dust cover which, in turn, hinges open to reveal the movement. The case back is marked Omega on the inside.
 
The 19'''CHRO Omega made movement is simply stunning and remains in great condition and, as mentioned before, is fully functional. It is marked Omega on the balance cock.
 
So this is a great piece of Omega heritage dating back to the very beginning of the Omega brand. Who has owned it, how it has been used and for what purpose nobody knows? All part of its charm!
 
Incidentally, there are a few really good references to this watch in Omega A Journey Through Time. Details can be provided.