Prototype group specificities: These ‘intermediate prototypes’ show a case construction which can be already seen as functionally finalised. The case is smaller and lighter as in P1 prototypes (overall weight comparison: P1-1: 107g vs. P2-2: 62g) and by changing the case back mounting from press fit to screw-in, also the potential problem of water resistance had been solved.
The prototypes belonging to this ‘intermediate’ phase seem to be the most numerous, many aesthetic versions having been made, featuring different prototype and production movements and corresponding dials, dial markers, hands and the possibility of displaying date and also the day.
One problem remained for the P2 prototypes to be solved: As tungsten – carbide is a very brittle material, the repeated removal and mounting of the straps which require a constant removal and resetting of the spring bars caused the recesses in the lugs for the spring bars to break, whenever the tools or the spring bars themselves hit the edge. Although functionally near finalisation, Omega decided to completely change the design, the material and the construction of the model, creating a completely new version: The C-P3 Prototype.
Omega Cermet, P2-1 prototype, 1974
Category: aesthetic prototype
Description: Heavy, tortoise shaped, tungsten – carbide cased prototype. Stainless steel movement holder glued to tungsten – carbide shell. Screwed stainless steel back with patent marks and ‘model number, 198.0055’. Blue anodised metal dial with vertical brushing. Thin, raised, wedge shaped, metal hour markers and white printed minute markers. Date window at ‘3’. Raised metal company logo, white printed ‘Omega Electronic f300′ underneath ’12’. ‘Chronometer’ printed above ‘6’, ‘Swiss Made’ below ‘6’. White metal hands. Tritium application outside hour markers and on hour and minute hands. Original crown without company logo. Original mineral crystal.
Dimensions: 40mm (without crown), lug – lug: 44mm, lug width: 20mm
Movement: Omega cal.: 1250 (ESA 9162, tuning fork), unmarked, unnumbered
Additional info: The movement does not have the beryllium copper finish which Omega movements usually have. Most probably it is a pre-production piece.
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Omega Cermet, P2-2 prototype, 1974
Category: aesthetic prototype
Description: Heavy, tortoise shaped, tungsten – carbide cased prototype. Stainless steel movement holder glued to tungsten – carbide shell. Screwed stainless steel back with patent marks and ‘model number, 198.005’. Blue anodised metal dial with vertical brushing. Broad, raised metal hour markers and white printed minute markers. Date window at ‘3’. Raised metal company logo, white printed ‘Omega Electronic f300′ underneath ’12’. ‘Chronometer’ printed above ‘6’, ‘Swiss Made’ below ‘6’. White metal hands. Tritium application outside hour markers and on hour and minute hands. Original crown with company logo. Original mineral crystal.
Dimensions: 40mm (without crown), lug – lug: 44mm, lug width: 20mm
Movement: Omega cal.: 1250 (ESA 9162, tuning fork), #32016200 (1973)
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Omega Cermet, P2-3 prototype, 1974
Categories: functional prototype, aesthetic prototype
Description: Heavy, tortoise shaped, tungsten – carbide cased prototype. Stainless steel movement holder glued to tungsten – carbide shell. Metal insert protecting lower part of the movement, scratched ‘1310’ on the inside. Screwed stainless steel back with scratched info for battery use, outside with removable and turnable ‘Omega constellation’ symbol. Blue /violet anodised, stepped metal dial with vertical brushing. Thin, raised metal hour markers and white printed minute markers. Day / Date window at ‘3’. Raised metal company logo, white printed ‘Omega’ underneath ’12’. ‘Seamaster’ printed above ‘6’. White metal hands. Tritium application outside hour markers and on hour and minute hands. Original crown with company logo, two pushers adjacent to the crown. Original mineral crystal.
Dimensions: 40mm (without crown), lug – lug: 44mm, lug width: 20mm
Movement: Omega cal.: 1310 (fourmi) prototype, scratch numbered ‘1310’ (1973)
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Omega Cermet, P2-4 prototype, 1974
Category: aesthetic prototype
Description: Heavy, tortoise shaped, tungsten – carbide cased prototype. Stainless steel movement holder glued to tungsten – carbide shell. Screwed stainless steel back with ‘model number, 198.0039’, constellation logo on the outside. 18k gold dial with vertical brushing. no hour markers and no minute markers. Date window at ‘3’. Raised gilt metal company logo, black printed ‘Constellation chronometer’ underneath ’12’. Raised gilt ‘Omega’ script, ‘Electronic f300Hz OM Swiss Made OM” printed at ‘6”. black and gold hands. Tritium application on hour and minute hands. Original crown with company logo. Original mineral crystal.
Dimensions: 40mm (without crown), lug – lug: 44mm, lug width: 20mm
Movement: Omega cal.: 1250 (ESA 9162, tuning fork), #36933926 (1973)
Additional info: This prototype might be the first attempt to design a golden version (a gold coloured CERMET version having been marketed in 1982) and a further sign, that this was supposed to become a very expensive watch model combining futuristic case material and a luxurious gold dial. The ‘OM’ on both sides of the ‘Swiss Made’ declaration at ‘6’ should ensure the buyer that the dial is made of ‘Or Massif’ (solid gold) and that it is not just gold plated.
More info about the development of these watches can be found in the parent section.
Omega Prototypes 