For sale is an Omega Geneve F300 “tuning fork” watch, model 198.0020. These are fairly uncommon watches that have a unique spot in horological history. The movement is battery powered, but the timing is kept by an electromagnetic tuning fork that oscillates at 300Hz. This creates an extremely smooth movement of the second hand, and generates a quiet but very distinctive ‘hum’ when held to the ear. Tuning fork mechanisms were first introduced in the Bulova Accutron in the 1960s, and the technology was licensed and arguably “perfected” by Omega thereafter.
Unlike most vintage models, this watch measures a modern 40 mm in diameter. The dial oozes retro appeal with plexiglass crystal, distinctive midline stripe and gigantic hour indices. Never again lose a competition with you friends over who has the biggest indices! It is currently mounted on an unused Rios shell cordovan strap (medium length, 20 mm width), but the watch suits a lot of strap options (looks great on brown croc, thin vintage ‘stretchy’ bracelets, and matte brown leather straps).
This watch was last fully serviced in the UK by one of the rare horologists with expertise in tuning fork models in 2008 operating out of ‘electric-watches.co.uk). I purchased it right out of service and it has kept excellent time since then. The watch model dates to 1974 and has all original case, hands, dial, case back, and crown. There is no staining on the dial and the hands are in excellent condition.
The watch is in excellent condition for its age, but has evidence of use over this long period. There are scratches on the case (most notable is captured in pics at ~4 o’clock), and case back from prior failed case openings (I assume). There is a slight scratch on the inside of the crystal at 1 o’clock that is only noticeable under a narrow range of light angles that I have tried to capture in the pictures (last pic). The lume is obviously no longer functional.
This unique and fun piece of history can be yours for $475 shipped.
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Unlike most vintage models, this watch measures a modern 40 mm in diameter. The dial oozes retro appeal with plexiglass crystal, distinctive midline stripe and gigantic hour indices. Never again lose a competition with you friends over who has the biggest indices! It is currently mounted on an unused Rios shell cordovan strap (medium length, 20 mm width), but the watch suits a lot of strap options (looks great on brown croc, thin vintage ‘stretchy’ bracelets, and matte brown leather straps).
This watch was last fully serviced in the UK by one of the rare horologists with expertise in tuning fork models in 2008 operating out of ‘electric-watches.co.uk). I purchased it right out of service and it has kept excellent time since then. The watch model dates to 1974 and has all original case, hands, dial, case back, and crown. There is no staining on the dial and the hands are in excellent condition.
The watch is in excellent condition for its age, but has evidence of use over this long period. There are scratches on the case (most notable is captured in pics at ~4 o’clock), and case back from prior failed case openings (I assume). There is a slight scratch on the inside of the crystal at 1 o’clock that is only noticeable under a narrow range of light angles that I have tried to capture in the pictures (last pic). The lume is obviously no longer functional.
This unique and fun piece of history can be yours for $475 shipped.
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