The Omega De Ville family has risen from bona fide hoi polloi to patrician status over the short span of forty years. As in real life, it’s amazing what can be achieved with several successful dips into the gene pool over a generation or two. The latest De Ville offspring - the Chronoscope triplets - have handsome bone structure, rather sporty leers and enough pheromones to beguile any tool-watch sophisticate.
Inspired by the success of the De Ville Rattrapante collection, the De Ville Co-Axial Chronoscope is available in a selection of matt black, red and silver dials with contrasting sub dials that facilitate the reading of the chronograph functions. The dial is a masterwork of design with faceted hour markers that allow the light to literally dance. A superbly machined 24 hour chapter ring and a guilloche tri-compax sub-dial configuration sitting within a brush finished sphere combine with colour contrasts to spectacular effect. The red and black version is simply stunning.
The Chronoscopes are powered by Omega’s calibre 3313, self-winding movement with Co-Axial escapement, while the GMT version features the calibre 3603 version of the 3313. The column-wheel system is designed to ensure a smooth start to the sweep of the seconds hand when the chronoscope is activated. It also provides precision stop and reset functions that do not interfere with the main timekeeping function of the watch. As mentioned in earlier reviews, a number of ‘fixes’ were applied to this movement, which are believed to have corrected problems experienced with earlier versions.
The 41mm case is available in polished or brushed 18-carat yellow or red gold and stainless steel. Its sculptured lugs, convex bezel and a series of curved and straight lines on the case side, create the appearance of an indestructible leviathan. This is very strong design indeed.
With its certified chronometer status, 52-hour power reserve and water-resistance to 100m, the De Ville Co-Axial Chronoscope offers excellent performance coupled with eye-gasmic looks. Starting at a little over $6000 USD (although 1000 dollar discounts are not unheard of) this is one helluva watch for the money.
Click here for a review of the GMT version
