OMEGA De Ville Co-Axial Chronograph: The First Chronograph in the World with a Co-Axial Escapement
Introduced at Baselworld 2002, the OMEGA De Ville Co-Axial Chronograph was the first chronograph in the world with the exceptional Co-Axial Escapement.
The Co-Axial Escapement was invented by British master watchmaker Dr. George Daniels, who assisted OMEGA in adapting it for industrial scale production.
The escapement is the heart of a mechanical watch, since it generates the impulses that make the mechanism move. Thanks to its radial transmission of energy, the OMEGA Co-Axial Escapement reduces drastically the friction among the moving parts, considerably reducing the servicing requirements for the movement and, above all, offering greater stability of the watch’s precision over time.
OMEGA Co-Axial Calibre 3313
The De Ville Co-Axial Chronograph uses the OMEGA Co-Axial Escapement in the OMEGA calibre 3313 self-winding chronograph movement.
In addition to the proven combination of the escapement with the free sprung-balance, which offers greater regulating stability, the chronograph mechanism is equipped with a column wheel: a ratchet wheel with columns that govern the precision operation of various levers for the chronograph functions.
As a prestige movement, the OMEGA calibre 3313 naturally has an exclusive finish with circular graining, Geneva wave decor, rhodium-plated surfaces and gold-plated engravings, as well as a blued-steel centre screw – all visible through the transparent sapphire crystal case back.
The movement’s precision is attested by its chronometer certificate issued by the official Swiss chronometer testing institute COSC. It has a power reserve of 55 hours.
OMEGA De Ville Co-Axial Chronograph
The classic materials of 18-carat yellow gold and stainless steel maintain the classic features of the De Ville Co-Axial. The case, water-resistant to 100 metres, retains the same 1950s-inspired lugs and facets of the De Ville Co-Axial Chronometer.
The grooves on the inside of the chronograph pushers that match the design of the crown are typical of the meticulous attention to detail on these models.
The dials, available in silver or black, are domed and have a traditionally sober look with applied OMEGA symbol and name, as well as applied facetted hour markers and luminous facetted Alpha hands (with blued steel chronograph seconds hand and small seconds counter on the silver dials). Each timepiece comes with a domed scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with multi-layer anti-reflective treatment on the inside.
These models are ideally complemented by a gold or steel bracelet which is made up of rows of 5 individual metal links lengthwise and a butterfly clasp that fits perfectly with the lines of the bracelet and case.
Matching hand-sewn alligator leather straps are also available, with an 18-carat gold or stainless steel foldover clasp.
In 2002, OMEGA also launched De Ville Co-Axial Chronograph collection with a limited edition of 333 models in red gold case featuring a sublime genuine enamel dial with Roman numerals and red-gold skeleton hands.
The limited series number is indicated in red on the dial at 6 o’clock, just below the date window.
The watch is water resistant to 100 metres.
Technical details
Model: OMEGA De Ville Co-Axial Chronograph
Movement
Calibre Omega 3313
Self-winding chronograph movement with column wheel mechanism and Co-Axial escapement
Free sprung balance, with date, hour, minute and continuous small seconds hands, central chronograph hand
Power reserve: 52 hours
Chronometer certified
Functions
Chronograph, date, small seconds
Case
Stainless steel or 18K gold
Diameter: 41 mm
Lug width: 20mm
Domed, scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment inside
Water resistance: 10 bar (100 metres / 330 feet)
Dial
Black or Silver
Red gold limited edition version with white enamel dial
Bracelet/Strap
Stainless steel or 18K gold bracelet with butterfly clasp
Alligator leather strap with foldover clasp in steel or 18K gold
