While I like that Omega has introduced some Basel 2014 offerings that hark back to yesteryear in terms of style, there is something about the trend of using non-ferrous parts that seems to bug me. Yes, I understand that these are technological advances, and have some great properties, but it doesn't offset the traditionalist in me that likes the innards of a watch to be metal, jewels, and oil.

Retrogrouchy M'Bob

 

Virginia! There's no screws in my balance wheel!!
Durn technology!

 

I'm with you there. Give it ten years and the whole movement will be carbon fiber !

 

I'm waiting for the 3D printable movement - rather than go to the shop to buy your watch, you buy and download the 3D model, print the parts and put it together yourself.

 

A plastic Swatch….. seems like they've done that before except for the 'some assembly required' part.

 

Further, it occurs to me that performance doesn't necessarily equal reliability. Like an old pocket watch from the 1900's, will these parts stand up to decades of use, temperature changes, and other insults without needing constant service?

 

That's the only thing that needs to be proven - and only time will tell. I hve no issue with different materials being used, especially ones that make lubrication less necessary. I do have an issue with broken or defective parts.

 

Imagine what that could do to spare part access for our beloved vintage pieces?
New balance wheel for your cal 321 Sir?: Just Press "CTRL-P" and wait for a few seconds....

 

Well, since nobody else has I'm going to be Mr Picky and just gently point out that "non-ferrous" does not mean non-metallic, but simply not made of iron or steel. A very large part of your average 1950s Omega is non-ferrous, because it is made of brass or other copper alloys, and sometimes a gold case, which is also non-ferrous but very metallic

 

I'll add that there's nothing wrong with non-metallic parts either. Ceramic bearings could correct all the rotors scraping case backs because steel bearings wore out.

 

Because the Swiss are better at marketing.

Hey, they have the world fooled into believing stainless steel is a precious metal.

 

shhh don't let IKEA HERE YOU

 

It's like the cal. 861: love it, runs great, reliable...but the little plastic part in the movement irks me.

 

And talk about irksome: what about those drivers that just sit in the left lane on the highway and block up a whole line of traffic? Is the concept of slower traffic moving to the right too complicated. But I digress...

 

People are getting dumber or less courteous….. or both. Can't they read the "KEEP LEFT EXCEPT TO PASS" signs every couple miles? I see it all the time. Pennsylvania drivers who won't budge from the left lane on the A.C. Expressway, NY drivers on the NJ Turnpike, and everyone in Delaware and Maryland.

You just hijacked your own thread.

 

Would love some sort of missile mounted behind my front license plate. After exterminating a few violators of that rule of conduct I am sure others would keep a better eye in the rear view mirror.
Strangely my smallest car (Lotus) has the best impact on the bastards (they tend to make room faster for that then my other cars) so it can not be anything wrong with their eyesight!