The history of the famous Omega 30mm calibre
The Omega 30mm caliber has left its mark on the history of industrial watchmaking and helped to strengthen Omega's reputation. Between 1939 and 1963, a quarter of a century, it played a major role in the world of watchmaking. Even today, the Omega caliber 30 remains a testament to the expertise of this prestigious watchmaking house. But why such success ?
The superlative caliber
This hand-wound mechanical caliber is built on a base measuring 30 mm in diameter and 5.10 mm thickness. The caliber uses a traditional frequency of 18,000 vibrations per hour (2.5 Hz) with a power reserve of 37 hours. The R&D of Omega department has worked for many years to design a calibre with parts of ideal proportions, to which the calibre owes its exceptional smoothness of running. This is expressed, for example, by an escapement that is the smallest possible for this type of caliber, combined with a barrel and balance surface extended to the extreme limit.
To further improve precision-an obsession of great master watchmakers-this balance was improved over the years in line with the latest advances in watchmaking technology. In 1942, an Incabloc shock absorber was used for the first time to protect the balance from shocks and vibrations. From 1950, the bimetallic screw balance was replaced by a Glucydur balance, made from a copper-based alloy. This mono-metallic balance is insensitive to magnetic fields.
One of the watchmakers favorite calibers
Omega's 30mm caliber quickly became one of watchmakers' favourite calibers thanks to its simplicity, reliability, solidity and high chronometric precision. Until 1963, more than 3 million movements were produced. In 1940, thanks to this caliber, Omega became the official watch supplier to the British and Allied armed forces.
The little-known watchmaker behind the 30mm calibre
This caliber was created in the 1930s by Henry Kneuss (Henri Gerber's assistant at Omega) with external advice from Paul Brandt and Otto Ahren, a watchmaker from Lucerne. To remember, Ahren was somewhat sceptical about this new caliber, but his scepticism was quickly erased after a few improvements, including a more powerful and unbreakable mainspring. The prototype was built by Jean-Pierre Mathey Claudet, owner of the Mathey-Tissot watch brand created by his uncle, Edmond Mathey-Tissot, in 1886. Production began in December 1938.
Henry Kneuss was a modest and descent self-taught man who never attended a watchmaking school. At Omega, he was Henri Gerber's assistant. Gerber played a key role in the development of many Omega calibers. He is known for having made significant improvements to the brand's calibers by introducing technical innovations and improving the chronometric precision of the movements. He made a major contribution to strengthening Omega's reputation.
The most successful caliber
Omega's 30mm caliber took part in numerous precision competitions organized by the Kew Teddington Observatory in England. He beat the record three times in the precision competition in 1946.
