Omega cal. 1480/1481, the forgotten movement?

59277 Views 71 Replies 16 Participants Last post by Timelybehaviour05, Oct 17, 2021

KringleKriss

Discussion Starter · Aug 27, 2012

2

Omega cal. 1480/1481 is one of the few movements developped jointly by Omega and Tissot in the early 1970s. Omega produced the 17 (1480) and 21 jewel (1481) variants, while Tissot produced only 21 jewel variant under the designation 2481.

It is not a movement often talked about in this forum, but my understanding it was developped as a cheap alternative to the 56X/75X and 10xx series.

The technical data are as follows (from ranff):

Omega 1481

Features
automatic
sweep second
date: quickset by repeated pushing the crown

Data
11.5''', Dm= 25.6mm
H= 5.35mm
21 jewels
f = 21600 A/h
power reserve 46h

Balance staff U2480

Stem W2696

Main spring / battery
1.20 x 9.5 x 0.10mm

Remarks
1972-1980
equivalent to Tissot 2481

family:
1480: -
1481: date

Example, year: signature; shock device
1972: 34710146, Omega Watch Co, Swiss; Incabloc

According to the Omega vintage database it was installed into following models:

Reference	Collection	Name	Version	Year
166.0121	Genève		Stainless steel	1972	see details
166.0127	Genève		18K solid yellow gold	1972	see details
MD 162.0042	Genève		Gold-plated	1972	see details
MD 166.0098	Genève		Gold-plated	1971	see details
MD 166.0123	Genève		Gold-plated	1972	see details
ST 166.0098	Genève		Stainless steel	1971	see details
ST 166.0107	Genève	Dynamic I	Stainless steel	1972	see details
ST 166.0118	Genève		Stainless steel	1972	see details
ST 166.0119	Genève		Stainless steel	1972	see details
ST 166.0122	Genève		Stainless steel	1972	see details
ST 366.0823	Genève		Stainless steel	1972	see details

Having owned one for a short time, perhaps the most striking feature of this caliber is its date quickset mechanism which is operated by repeated pushing the crown in from the "0" position. Unfortunatelly, I've been told that a lever operating in this mechanism is prone to breakage.

Here are a couple of photos of the 1481 I owned, code named "stingray" for the perculiar shape of its case.

If you have some photos of the 1480/1481 powered Omegas, please join in.

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1 - 20 of 72 Posts

M4tt

· #2 · Aug 27, 2012 (Edited)

The real irony is that it has the most lovely winding noise, a distinct 'zip' not unlike the JLC 889 (but a bit louder). This makes the winding noise on pretty well any other Omega calibre to the present day sound rough.

Frankly I'm not delighted that you have brought up the Tissot connection, because these are ridiculously under priced on ebay with this little gem of a movement and I suspect that is about to change.

I always think that, with the stepped bridges, they look rather a lot like the 2824:

Nice choice KK!

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Andy K

· #3 · Aug 27, 2012

Nice write up! I REALLY like the case on your Geneve! I used to own a dress Geneve powered by a 1481. By your chart I THINK it was 166.0098. It kept very good time but I must confess that I wasn't a fan of the quickset feature. It seemed to work fine but for whatever reason I just didn't care for it.

KringleKriss

Discussion Starter · #4 · Aug 28, 2012

Andy K said:
Nice write up! I REALLY like the case on your Geneve! I used to own a dress Geneve powered by a 1481. By your chart I THINK it was 166.0098. It kept very good time but I must confess that I wasn't a fan of the quickset feature. It seemed to work fine but for whatever reason I just didn't care for it.

That case is really massive, but looks good on the wrist. There is also a variant with a rorarting berel that also looks nice. Also povered by 1481.

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heist

· #5 · Nov 29, 2012

Does anyone have a list of the tissot models that this was fitted to?

I know it was fitted in some seastar watches, but does anyone have any more info?

Archer

· #6 · Nov 30, 2012

I can't really give you a list of models, but you can look for models fitted with the Tissot Cal. 2591 like this one:

I serviced this one a couple of years ago. It worked quite nice actually, and here is a video of the quick change date:

As noted I think they can be had for very good prices compared to the Omega versions.

Cheers, Al

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georges zaslavsky

· #7 · Dec 4, 2012

they are very reliable movements

Sgt_Bilko

· #8 · Mar 1, 2014 (Edited)

I recently acquired a 1971 Omega Geneve in excellent original condition, which has the 1481 movement and over the last week it has been keeping pretty good time losing just 7 seconds per day. I was interested to find this thread to learn more about the movement.

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aauringe

· #9 · Apr 13, 2014 (Edited)

2

I picked this one up a couple weeks ago. Still looking for a good leather band. I believe it is a 1480. I wasn't sure it was actually an omega movement until I was pointed here by members who replied to my post in the fake busters section. Good to know this is a normal thing to see inside an omega, and that it's a reliable movement.

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Sgt_Bilko

· #10 · Apr 14, 2014

If you look in the top right hand corner of your first image showing the movement it actually says 1480. It looks like you probably got a really good deal on this watch but if you don't know anything about the history you should definitely get it serviced as soon as possible or at least assessed to see if a service is due.

aauringe

· #11 · Apr 15, 2014

Right! Yeah it is out getting serviced right now actually. I know next to nothing about omega's, this is my first one. (if it wasn't already obvious);-)

Sgt_Bilko

· #12 · Apr 15, 2014

I have a couple dozen near mint vintage watches but this is the one I wear every day. It doesn't scream look at me and keeps good time, while wearing an Omega is always a good feeling. There is no need to wind the watch unless it has stopped completely and in normal use it should run continuously if you wear it every day for a few hours. Mine is accurate to within 10 seconds per day, which is fine for every day use.

The hands and dial on yours look fairly clean. The case could possibly do with a professional polish but then it should look very nice indeed. The price you paid is absurdly low for an Omega like this and clean ones are shooting up in value every year, so look after it and get it serviced every 3-5 years; then it should last you decades of daily use. Get yourself a nice leather strap and throw in an original Omega buckle for very little extra, which is always a nice touch.

NB No vintage watch should be considered waterproof...

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Sgt_Bilko

· #13 · Aug 20, 2014

Still working beautifully with daily usage I recently sent the Cal 1481 Geneve to an Omega accredited repairer who assessed the watch and said everything was in exceptionally clean condition. He regulated it and it's now accurate to +1 second per day. Not bad for a 43 year old dress watch that was never intended to deliver chronometer levels of accuracy.

triplesticks

· #14 · Mar 2, 2015

3

I'm a little late on this thread but I have one that's pretty nice.

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Sgt_Bilko

· #15 · Mar 2, 2015

I don't recall ever seeing an Omega like this before. The styling looks 70s and the dial is unusual but reminds me a little of the Dynamics from that time. It's curious because it's not a Geneve or Seamaster and I wonder what market it was made for. It looks like Omega used this movement in more watches than I realised.

Sgt_Bilko

· #16 · Mar 2, 2015 (Edited)

Actually as a follow up I've just noticed it has identical hands to my Geneve from 1971 with a 1481 movement. The 1481 has a good engine in the sense that it requires very little use to keep running for an extended period. I imagine the 1480 is similar.

chard101

· #17 · Mar 6, 2015

triplesticks said:
I'm a little late on this thread but I have one that's pretty nice.

Wow, that a beauty, I've not seen one like that before. Exactly the style I like. I would really appreciate it if you could give me some details on the model / case no please?

It really reminds me of a Tissot PR-516. I've wanted to get one of those but I've not seen one at the right price.

Sgt_Bilko

· #18 · Mar 7, 2015

I forgot to add that I have another watch with a 1481 movement. It's a Dynamic from 1973.

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chard101

· #19 · Mar 8, 2015

Sgt_Bilko said:
I forgot to add that I have another watch with a 1481 movement. It's a Dynamic from 1973.

Is that a second generation Dynamic, looking at the case styling? My very first Omega was a 1st generation Dynamic with the 565 movement. Since then I've been hooked.

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Sgt_Bilko

· #20 · Mar 8, 2015 (Edited)

5

This is the only Dynamic I have and I purchased it mainly because the condition was so exceptional. I know the case is a little unusual but a watchmaker here on the forum looked it up and found it was all correct. According to the vintage watch database I believe it would be a 1st generation Dynamic. Yesterday I picked up a Constellation with a Cal 564, which is presumably very similar to your Dynamic with the 565. All those 56X movements were highly rated.

I've attached an image showing the model details and I can tell you it was on sale in 1973 for £175. The watch is affectively as new.

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