New Arrival - Mariner 1
1. It contains an example of the first totally in house produced Omega quartz movement, the cal 1310 was designed by Andre Triponez, one of the leading lights in early quartz movement development. It hacks, and the seconds, hour day and date can all be set independently due to an ingenious combination of magnetic/mechanical componenents controlled by the recessed pushers on the side of the case.
2. It's unusually tough for an early quartz as evidenced by the marketing campaign wherein Mariners were attached to the mast and keel of two boats competing in the June 1976 single handed transatlantic yacht race and were the only items on either boat that came out unscathed from the terrible weather conditions endured by the competitors that year.
3. It looks fantastic. The case designer is unkown to me (maybe has a touch of Gerald Genta about it?) The design cues might indicate a taste for English sci-fi TV programmes too!
Cheers
Ian
thats a really funky and typically 70's watch.
i had one several years ago and let it go because it was quartz, but now that i look back on many of Omega's quartz pieces their movements were way ahead of others. the hour set was and still is a brilliant system for world travellers.
luckily my collecting criteria is now so narrow that i'll just have to like these pieces vicariously.
several years ago i bought virtually any used watch i liked the look of and ended up with far too many to cope with. it does mean that my ownership experience is extensive, but the result just leads to fiscal destitution 
enjoy it and wear it in good health.
G
Great quote, Graham! . . .
The case design is outstanding . . .
Another one for the list ;-) . . .
I changed...
...the battery on one of these only a few weeks ago. My GF brought it home from the wrist of one of her colleagues. Battered and on a leather band, but strangely alluring in it's wackiness. She wants one.
(Re: the 13xx Omega Quartz movements, weren't they a development of the Beta 21?)
This message has been edited by BDLJ on 2012-01-18 14:43:37Early quartz movement development
I suppose it could be argued that all quartz watches are descendants of the Beta 21 movement,the cal 1310 probably being a 'grandchild'.
There's a really good thread on TZ-UK regarding early quartz development by Omega and others that might prove interesting. Not sure whether the forum rules allow me to post links to other fora but I'll give it a go anyway.
Cheers
Ian
Love the Dr. Who pieces...
Great catch...
And it seems you have found a really nice specimen of this 70's piece
Best
Hans