First Omega Wrist Chronograph / Lawrence of Arabia

In Context

At 47.5 mm this is exceptionally large for something worn on a wrist, closer to a pocket watch given lugs. The case back is open, so the movement is visible without taking the watch apart, and the sapphire crystal will resist everything short of deliberate abuse. Rated to 30 m, it is protected against rain and splashes and nothing beyond that.

The movement is hand-wound, so winding it becomes part of the day rather than something the watch does for you. 40 hours of reserve carries it overnight, but not through a weekend in a drawer. At 18,000 vph the seconds hand advances 5 times a second, the slower and more audible rate of an older design.

516.52.48.30.04.001 stands on its own in this catalogue — no other reference here shares its base number. It pairs a white dial with a enamel case. It was a limited edition. Introduced in 2018. Beyond the time it carries a chronograph.

Restored and refinished version of caliber 18”’ CHRO. Hand-wound, monopoussoir chronograph movement.