Like many other manufacturers (Tissot for example), Omega employed the ESA 9162 (date only) and ESA 9164 (day and date) tuning fork movements in many of their watches. These Omegas were usually referred to as the 'F300' models reflecting the frequency of the tuning fork. The F300s must have been produced in the tens of thousands and are often seen on a certain popular auction site today.

The ESA 9162 / ESA 9184 are often considered the "Rolls Royce" of tuning fork movements. It was designed by Max Hetzel, who had previously worked for Bulova; he was also responsible for the Accutron 214.

Omega, like many other watch makers, allocated their own calibre numbers to these movements. The ESA 9162 was known as Calibre 1250 and the ESA 9164 as Calibre 1260. The Omega version of these movements differ slightly from standard ESA 9162 and 9164 movements in having copper plated plates throughout the movement; all other watch manufacturers kept the ESA-supplied nickel plated plates. However all the parts, including the plates, are fully inter-changeable.

Below is a selection of photographs of some of my Omega F300s, arranged by Omega range.

Constellation:

Omega Constellation Chronometer F300 Hz; All Stainless Steel; 38mm diameter incl. crown; Cal. 1250 (ESA 9162); 1975ish	Omega Constellation Chronometer F300 Hz; All Stainless Steel; 38mm diameter incl. crown; Cal. 1250 (ESA 9162); 1975ish	Omega Constellation Chronometer F300 Hz; All Stainless Steel; 38mm diameter incl. crown; Cal. 1250 (ESA 9162); 1975ish	Omega Constellation Chronometer F300 Hz; All Stainless Steel; 38mm Square incl. crown; Cal. 1250 (ESA 9162); 1975ish	Omega Constellation Chronometer F300 Hz; All Stainless Steel; 38mm Square incl. crown; Cal. 1250 (ESA 9162); 1975ish
Omega Constellation Chronometer F300 Hz; All Stainless Steel; 38mm Square incl. crown; Cal. 1250 (ESA 9162); 1975ish	Omega Constellation Chronometer F300 Hz 'Cone'; All Stainless Steel; 38mm diameter incl. crown; Cal. 1260 (ESA 9164); 1975ish	Omega Constellation Chronometer F300 Hz 'Cone'; All Stainless Steel; 38mm diameter incl. crown; Cal. 1260 (ESA 9164); 1975ish	Omega Constellation Chronometer F300 Hz 'Cone'; All Stainless Steel; 38mm diameter incl. crown; Cal. 1260 (ESA 9164); 1975ish	Omega Constellation Chronometer F300 Hz 'Cone'; All Stainless Steel; 38mm diameter incl. crown; Cal. 1260 (ESA 9164); 1975ish
Omega Constellation Chronometer F300 Hz 'Cone'; All Stainless Steel; 38mm diameter incl. crown; Cal. 1260 (ESA 9164); 1975ish	Omega Calibre 1260 (ESA 9164); note the copper plated movement plates. The ESA number can be seen stamped into the movement plate just below the base of the tuning fork.

Geneve:

Omega Genéve Chronometer F300 Hz; All Stainless Steel; 38mm diameter incl. crown; Cal. 1250 (ESA 9162); 1975ish

Omega Genéve Chronometer F300 Hz; All Stainless Steel; 38mm diameter incl. crown; Cal. 1250 (ESA 9162); 1975ish

Omega Genéve Chronometer F300 Hz; All Stainless Steel; 38mm diameter incl. crown; Cal. 1250 (ESA 9162); 1975ish

Omega Genéve Chronometer F300 Hz; All Stainless Steel; 38mm diameter incl. crown; Cal. 1250 (ESA 9162); 1975ish

Omega Genéve Chronometer F300 Hz; All Stainless Steel; 38mm diameter incl. crown; Cal. 1250 (ESA 9162); 1975ish

Seamaster:

Omega Seamaster Chronometer F300 Hz; All Stainless Steel; 42mm diameter incl. crown; Cal. 1250 (ESA 9162); 1975ish	Omega Seamaster Chronometer F300 Hz; All Stainless Steel; 42mm diameter incl. crown; Cal. 1250 (ESA 9162); 1975ish	Omega Seamaster Chronometer F300 Hz; All Stainless Steel; 42mm diameter incl. crown; Cal. 1250 (ESA 9162); 1975ish	Omega Seamaster Chronometer F300 Hz; All Stainless Steel; 42mm diameter incl. crown; Cal. 1250 (ESA 9162); 1975ish	Omega Seamaster Chronometer F300 Hz; All Stainless Steel; 42mm diameter incl. crown; Cal. 1250 (ESA 9162); 1975ish
Omega Seamaster Chronometer F300 Hz; All Stainless Steel; 42mm diameter incl. crown; Cal. 1250 (ESA 9162); 1975ish	Omega Seamaster Chronometer F300 Hz; All Stainless Steel; 42mm diameter incl. crown; Cal. 1250 (ESA 9162); 1975ish	Omega Seamaster Chronometer F300 Hz; All Stainless Steel; 42mm diameter incl. crown; Cal. 1250 (ESA 9162); 1975ish	Omega Seamaster Chronometer F300 Hz : Black and White Dials together!	Omega Seamaster Chronometer F300 Hz : Black and White Dials together!
Don't try this at home!