This final stage of prototyping introduces CERMET as material for the case. This material will also be used for the marketed version.
Prototype group specificities: These ‘last prototypes’ show a complete turnaround in design, if compared to previous prototypes, which was a necessary step due to the production of a Tissonic variant cased in the exact tungsten – carbide cases used up to the development of the P2 prototypes. The case shape and proportions are different, it is smaller and made of CERMET instead of tungsten – carbide. The CERMET shell is small and a polished stainless steel bezel is inserted to hold the sapphire crystal. All these modifications should ensure an optimal size to weight ratio, the marketed model being even smaller and lighter, but retaining the overall shape. The round stainless steel insert to hold the movement and to allow for the case back to be screwed in, has been extended to include the lugs. This way the problem with chipping lugs encountered with the P2 prototypes could be eliminated.
Omega Cermet, P3 prototype, 1975 – 1980
Categories: functional prototype, aesthetic prototype
Description: Heavy, ’emerald cut’ shaped, CERMET cased prototype. Stainless steel movement holder glued to the CERMET shell. Screwed stainless steel back with ‘Seamaster’ logo, inside with company info, case maker mark and model number ‘196.0037’. Polished stainless steel bezel. Silver coloured dial with superposed black minute ring. Black hour markers and silver printed minute markers. Day/Date window at ‘3’. Raised metal company logo, black printed ‘Omega Megaquartz 32KHz’ underneath ’12’. White metal hands. Tritium application outside hour markers and on hour and minute hands. Original crown with company logo, sunk pushers adjacent to crown. Original sapphire crystal.
Dimensions: 38mm (without crown), lug – lug: 41mm, lug width: 18mm
Movement: Omega cal.: 1310 (fourmi) prototype, #00004654 (1973)
More info about the development of these watches can be found in the parent section.
Omega Prototypes 