Omega Caliber 269

The Omega caliber 269 is a vintage handwound mechanical watch movement. This caliber was introduced around circa 1963.

The calibre 269 is an evolution of the 268.

In Omega’s own words:

“Owing to the excellent results obtained following the technical improvements carried out in our later calibres, it was thought desirable to incorporate these improvements in our Calibres 268 and 285, which now become 269 and 286 respectively. These modifications not only prove advantageous during manufacture but improve interchangeability, thus facilitating the servicing of these movements.” -Omega Technical Guide, No. 27, 1963

Omega 269 VS 286:

In the quote above, Omega mentions a cal. 286. This is essentially the central seconds version of the 269.

Improvements for the 269:

Modifications for the evolution were listed as:

• New shock protecting device
• The fitting of an adjustable stud holder
• The replacement of the Breguet balance spring by a flat spring
• The use of banking pins discontinued

New parts for the 269 include the following:

Mainplate, barrel bridge, pallet cock, balance cock, stud, stud holder, balance spring collet, balance wheel, balance spring, balance jewel in setting (upper and lower), balance cap jewel (upper and lower), two-part regulator, endstone retaining spring, Novochoc (upper and lower).

New Anti-Shock Device:

The “new shock protecting device” they are referencing is NOVOCHOC. There is not a lot of information about this style of anti-shock device, and it appears that it was only used in Omega calibers 269 and 286.

No Banking Pins:

The same technical document discusses the reasoning behind the discontinuation of the use of banking pins in the escapement.

“In order to increase the accuracy and improve the performance of the escapement, the use of banking pins has been discontinued. The angle which the pallets move is limited by faces which are an integral part of the pallet cock. The final dimensions of this aperture are obtained by means of a special die which removed the excess material left during and earlier stage of manufacture. The precision thus obtained is less than one hundredth of a millimeter and allows the fitting of pallets into movements without further adjustment.”

Power Reserve:

Technical docs discussing the mainspring state the following:

“The mainspring is of a stainless alloy, is unbreakable and maintains its original elasticity almost indefinitely, providing constant power for a period in excess of forty-two hours”

Do you have a 269 powered watch with a mainspring that did not last indefinitely? Comment below…

Additional Resources:

• More Omega watch movements