Skip to content
The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Stopwatch

Omega Olympic Split-Seconds Stopwatch

Partially verified

This nickel-cased split-seconds stopwatch was manufactured by the Omega Watch Co. in Switzerland circa 1955. It features a stem and button wound spring movement equipped with a lever escapement. The movement is marked with the serial number 14781768 and is described as having twenty-one jewels. The dial is white and includes an outer ring of black Arabic numerals marking up to 30 seconds, accompanied by a secondary red scale. The watch is configured with two seconds hands, including an upper blue hand operated by the left side button, while the main winding button performs the zeroing function. The watch is also inscribed with 'Omega' and 'Olympic' on the dial, indicating its connection to sports timing. The casing bears a Museum of Applied Science inventory mark, identifying the object as part of the museum's scientific and measurement collections.

Front view of the Omega Olympic stopwatch showing the dual button configuration and dual-scale dial.
Front view of the Omega Olympic stopwatch showing the dual button configuration and dual-scale dial. — Museums Victoria. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
collections.museumsvictoria.com.au
Category
Pocket watch · Stopwatch
Maker / attribution
Omega Watch Co
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
ST 34508
Source-reported date
circa 1955
Source-reported place
Switzerland
Source-reported serial
14781768

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Dial and Case Design

The stopwatch is housed within a nickel case, measuring 6.6 centimeters in diameter. Its white dial serves as a dual-scale timing instrument, featuring an outer ring of black Arabic numerals calibrated to 30 seconds alongside a separate red numeral track. The dial bears the branding 'Omega' and 'Olympic' in red print, with the text 'Swiss Made' in black at the base.

Physical access to the functions is provided by a crown at the twelve o'clock position and two secondary buttons positioned on the shoulders of the case. The winding crown serves the dual purpose of manual winding and resetting the hand positions, while the left-hand button controls an upper blue seconds hand designed for timing split-second intervals.

Evidence for this section
  • “White dial has outer ring of black arabic numerals up to 30 seconds and red separate.”
  • “Winding button zeroes watch.”
  • “Upper blue hand controlled by left button.”

Movement and Functionality

Power for this timepiece is provided by a stem-wound spring mechanism. Based on manufacturer inscriptions, the movement contains twenty-one jewels to reduce friction during high-frequency operation, necessary for accurate short-duration timing.

The serial number 14781768 is engraved on the movement back plate, alongside the manufacturer name and jewel count.

Evidence for this section
  • “Stem and button wound spring; lever escapement.”
  • “Back plate is marked 'Omega Watch Co, Swiss, 14781768, Twenty One Jewels'.”

Inventory and Documentation

The object is catalogued under the registration number ST 34508 within the Museum of Applied Science, which notes its classification within the field of horology and science and measurement. The physical casing, including an associated outer case, is stamped with the museum inventory number 24086.

Current documentation identifies the manufacturer as the Omega Watch Co, based in Switzerland, and provides an approximate date of production of 1955. The acquisition history remains recorded as an unknown method from an unknown source within the institution's files.

Evidence for this section
  • “Registration number: ST 34508”
  • “Case and outer case marked 'Museum of Applied Science 24086'.”

Open research questions

  • What specific caliber of movement is identified by the serial number 14781768?
  • Does the museum record clarify which Olympic event or period this stopwatch was intended to time?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Omega Olympic Split-Seconds Stopwatch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerOmega Watch Co“Manufacturer, name: Omega Watch Co”
Movement Serial14781768“14781768”
Jewel Count21“Twenty One Jewels”
Case MaterialNickel“nickel case”
Dial InscriptionsOmega, Olympic, Swiss Made“Dial is marked 'Omega, Olympic' in red and 'Swiss Made' in black.”
Registration NumberST 34508“Registration number: ST 34508”
Datecirca 1955“circa 1955”

Visible details

  • White dial with dual Arabic numeral tracks for timing
  • Dual button configuration for stop and reset functions
  • Split-seconds mechanism with one blue hand
  • Museum inventory number 24086 engraved on the case

Research qualifications

  • Specific technical nature of the split-seconds function not fully detailed
  • Provenance or specific historical Olympic event association not provided

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

Stop Watch - Omega, Switzerland, circa 1955

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record 2c9302755e

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

Other stopwatch records