After the success of the 470 series, Marc Fave had developed a new generation of movements for Omega, but rather than buying just movements SSIH group bought Marc Favre and absorbed them into Omega. In 1958 the new calibre 550 series watch launched it might looks similar to it’s predecessor in terms of design and finish, but was 1mm flatter, is more versatile and has 4 hours more power reserve. The movement stayed in production until 1969 and experienced several variations including, day date and quick set date. The 550 was design to be an automatic, but a manual wind movement based on calibre 550 became the calibre:600 series, but that is a story for another day.
Omega calibre 550 variations:
550: 17 jewels
551: 24 jewels, chronometer
552: 24 jewels
560: 17 jewels, date
561: 24 jewels, date, chronometer
562: 24 jewels, date
563: 17 jewels, quickset date
564: 24 jewels, quickset date, chronometer
565: 24 jewels, quickset date
750: 17 jewels, day, quickset date
751: 24 jewels, day, quickset date, chronometer
752: 24 jewels, day, quickset date
Omega calibre 550-752
- Made: 1958-1969
- Made in Switzerland
- Power reserve around: 50h
- 17-24 Jewels
- 19800 B/A
- Lift angle 49°
- DM 27.9mm
- H 4.5mm
Surface finish is of high quality. All screws are highly polished and very good finish. The bridges are nicely finished with copper gilt plating (that do not contain gold;) and beveled edges. Ratchet wheel is also the reverser wheel and has a decent finish. Jewel count of 17-24 can be described as a little lacking to adequate for an automatic movement. Finishing details of the bridges may also vary from fine to very fine.
Top surface finish on bridges: 7-8 Points
Surface finish on screws: 9 Points
Surface finish on ratchet and ratchet wheel: 7 Points
Movement Jeweling: 5-8 Points
Movement design innovation (1958): 7 points
The Omega base plate is nicely decorated and has an overall good finish. Winding, date and setting mechanisms are nicely finished, with a high finish on the screws. Gear train has a good finish. Setting the time feels balanced and smooth. Date mechanism is well made.
Base plate finish: 7 Points
Setting and winding mechanism: 7 Points
Gear-train finish: 8-9 Points
Date change snappiness: 7 Points*
Movement durability: 8 Points
The ratchet wheel has a guard plate, to protect the bridge surface from the ratchet wheel, this helps with durability.
The 550 series all come with a beautiful swan neck regulator and boot regulator.
3 Bonus points for regulator
3 Bonus points for boot regulator
Bi-directional automatic device is well made and robust.
Autowinder mechanism: 8 Points
The Omega 563 onwards have quick set added to the date mechanism.
3 Bonus points
(Photo shows broken quick set pusher being replaced with a new one)
The Omega 550 series (750) also came in day date variations.
3 Bonus points
The Omega 550 series are all designed to be centre second only. Unlike the direct drive design of the Eterna calibre 1247, Omega uses a central seconds pinion driven by the third wheel. To avoid stuttering it is tensioned with a spring similar to Rolex 1030 and 1500 series).
In my experience these tension springs can cause some issues when not mentioned correctly.
Omega calibre 550 series will keep excellent time when in good condition.
Accuracy: 8 points
+2 points for chronometer version*
Power reserve of 50 hours is very good.
Power reserve: 8 Points
Omega calibre: 550 551 552 560 561 562 563 564 565 750 751 752 series points summary:
Surface finish on bridges and top side of base plate: 7-8
Surface finish screws: 9
Surface finish on ratchet and ratchet wheel: 7
Movement Jeweling: 5-8
Movement innovative design for ca 1958: 7
Base plate finish: 7
Setting and winding mechanism: 7
Date change snappiness: 7
Gear-train finish: 8-9
Movement durability: 8
Total bonus points: 6-12
Autowinder: 8
Accuracy: 8-10*
Power reserve: 8
Grand total: 95-115
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