I'd like to offer my Alpina Dispomatic, an automatic Alpina with an alarm function. It is in excellent condition and runs (and rings) as it should. Apart from a few minor details, perhaps Storage marks, perhaps caused by careful wearing, it looks like it has just left the store. The caliber 2980 is very closely related to the Lemania 980, which Omega, Lemania's client, used in the “Memomatic.”





Now a few excerpts from the book “Der Armbandwecker” (The Wristwatch Alarm Clock) by M.P. Horlbeck:
"The Lemania 2980 can be found in wristwatch alarm clocks from a wide variety of manufacturers. However, these were mostly higher quality brands such as Alpina or Bucherer. The wrist alarm clocks with the Lemania 2980 can be divided into three versions, depending on the case used. There was a standard case used by most companies and a unique case that showed certain similarities; an Omega case was also used for the 2980. The same can be said for the dials. These similarities suggest that the various watches with the Lemania 2980 were manufactured in the same workshop, with customers simply expressing their individual wishes. However, all three cases have in common that they appear very solid. One has the feeling that nothing could damage the movement.
Compared to other automatic movements, the technology used in this movement features a number of unusual solutions. As it is a movement with only one barrel, the energy available for the alarm function must be limited. Omega/Lemania used a system consisting of a ratchet wheel, ratchet cone, and alarm ratchet finger for this purpose. Technically, the function of these parts corresponds to the use of an alarm wheel stop.
When designing the movement, the alarm clock's gear train was also redesigned to save space. Instead of the normal use of an alarm wheel or alarm anchor wheel, this gear train was replaced by a differential mounted on a shaft with the automatic winding wheel. What seems technically very difficult actually means that the design involved a consistent simplification of the function.
The same shaft whose wheels automatically wind the barrel is responsible for transferring energy from the mainspring to the alarm hammer during the alarm process. A small differential drives the alarm anchor wheel (star wheel), which is also located on this shaft. Compared to other automatic movements, this solution appears very compact.
All in all, it is an extremely solidly constructed caliber with many interesting, technically sophisticated detailed solutions.
The Alpina Dispomatic has a case that is identical to that of the Omega Memomatic. Compared to the Omega, however, the bevels around the edge of the glass are more pronounced, which suggests that the case was manufactured somewhat later. The Dispomatic has an original Omega crystal, as can be seen from the small Omega logo in the center of the crystal. An interesting detail is the minute track printed on the outer, normally unprinted reinforcement ring. Although the minute and second hands do not quite reach the minute track, it is still possible to read the time accurately. This is also due to the minute track being located far to the outside and the discreet arrangement of the alarm time scale around the setting disc. As a result, the dial of the Dispomatic, with its large applied hour indices, appears very simple and uncluttered. As with all watches featuring the Lemania caliber 2980, the date window is surrounded and highlighted by a chrome-plated frame."



So you could say that this is an Omega with a few details that are different. The most important thing is that, unlike the Omega Memomatic, the alarm time cannot be set to the minute on an extra scale.
The steel case is quite substantial (approx. 40 mm in diameter), typical of the era, and the dial is classic with a truly beautiful reflection of light (the watch looks different depending on incidence of light, which I have tried to show in my photos).
The alarm tone is discreet and sounds nice because it is produced by a "tone spring" (as in watches with a repeater); a ringing, not a rattling. The quick date adjustment via the pusher at 3 o'clock is also pleasant.



The watch is located in Germany. Shipping by arrangement. 1200 € net to me.

Regards - HU