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1985 Omega Chronograph Caliber 861............what Do You Think?

heccsat
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Sgt_Bilko Sgt_Bilko
These date from 1993 - 1997 and they include the Cal 861 manual wind movement that was also used in the Omega Speedmaster by both Russian and American astronauts. It's an elegant dress watch with a chronograph that was not in big demand for a long time, but seems to be attracting more interest now and prices appear to be rising.

They come with three different dial colours including black, white and silver. The case can be stainless steel, gold or a mixture of both. You need to check and see if the watch has been serviced recently, but if not this is a job for an Omega specialist. The Cal 861 is a wonderful movement, so this is a watch that deserves respect and should last a lifetime if treated with reasonable care.

" but seems to be attracting more interest now and prices appear to be rising."

I'm trying to sell mine, but almost zero interest. A few offers on ebay around 1300-1450 $, but with PP and ebay it's even less than that. Here in Hungary everybody is into divers, pretty lame :/
 
kingcesc
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Thank you all of your information, i have just pulled the trigger getting this beautiful omega. But the guarantee card coming with the watch seems a little bit strange. Dose anyone know is it legit card or a fake one.
@Archer: it would be much appreciated if i can hear your opinion馃榾
IMG_1840.JPG IMG_1841.JPG IMG_1837.JPG
Edited:
 
Sgt_Bilko
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kingcesc kingcesc
Thank you all of your information, i have just pulled the trigger getting this beautiful omega. But the guarantee card coming with the watch seems a little bit strange. Dose anyone know is it legit card or a fake one.
@Archer: it would be much appreciated if i can hear your opinion馃榾
IMG_1840.JPG IMG_1841.JPG IMG_1837.JPG


My watch serial number starts 4833 and I know it's from 1997, so your one looks like 96/97. The reference shown on your warranty card should be 48403100, but the missing two digits at the end is just down to whoever filled out the card. That is the correct reference for the silver hands on the silver dial.

Your warranty card certainly looks different from mine, both in font choice and general styling. It looks like your one was first sold in Asia, whereas mine was first sold in Italy, so perhaps they simply had different regional differences or changed the warranty cards at a certain point. Mine also has a gold badge with a hologram that looks like an anti forgery measure. This is missing on your card.

I wouldn't want to declare your warranty card a fake without being 100% certain, but I understand your doubts. As long as the watch itself is all correct I wouldn't be overly worried, but perhaps somebody with greater knowledge of warranty cards can provide a more informed answer. Congratulations on the new watch. This is the one I wear every day now and love it.
 
kingcesc
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Thank you bilko, this will be my new beater too.
Actually i got it doubts when i was comparing with your card 馃榿
The watch itself looks pretty to my knowledge, everything is fine, not yet open the case back though. My speedy fois will probably have to stay in the box for a pretty long time 馃榾
Hopefully someone has information about the card 馃榿
 
Sgt_Bilko
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The gaskets on these are typically a hard plastic that is designed to deform in order to provide a seal. This makes it a single use item, which will not seal as well, once it's been opened. For this reason, if you want to open the case back, I would take it to a watchmaker who can not only remove the back safely, but also has the part to replace the gasket.

These watches have been strangely undervalued in the past, but as a result, I suspect many have not been serviced in many years, if ever, since new. If you want to keep the watch and use it regularly, I would strongly suggest you have it checked out by a watchmaker, unless you know for certain it was recently serviced by somebody competent. What a great match you have alongside a FOIS Speedy!
 
kingcesc
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Sgt_Bilko Sgt_Bilko
The gaskets on these are typically a hard plastic that is designed to deform in order to provide a seal. This makes it a single use item, which will not seal as well, once it's been opened. For this reason, if you want to open the case back, I would take it to a watchmaker who can not only remove the back safely, but also has the part to replace the gasket.

These watches have been strangely undervalued in the past, but as a result, I suspect many have not been serviced in many years, if ever, since new. If you want to keep the watch and use it regularly, I would strongly suggest you have it checked out by a watchmaker, unless you know for certain it was recently serviced by somebody competent. What a great match you have alongside a FOIS Speedy!

Super useful info. Im very appreciated that.
The seller has no idea about the service history, so I too dont know by now. But what I can see now, its running slow 8s/day after 1 day of using, and I can hear the movement running pretty louder than my 1 year old Speedy FOIS (861 vs 1861 movement).
I might have to come over Omega service center this weekend, asking them do the checking. Wish it will be ok.
p/s: Any advice what should I ask for in OSC, because this will be my first time going there.
Thanks,
 
Sgt_Bilko
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I wouldn't place too much emphasis on the sound compared to your FOIS, since they have entirely different cases, which can affect the acoustics. I would also say that one day is not enough time to judge the accuracy of a watch, especially if it has not been used for some time. As it happens this 861 is running at +8 seconds a day after recently returning from Swiss Time Service, yet I also have an 861 Speedy from 1971 with unknown service history that runs at +2 seconds.

From past experience, watches seem to run most accurately when worn regularly and I've had some that were running at +/- 10 seconds a day at first, but slowly improve over a few weeks to within +/-2 seconds a day. This can be down to oil distribution and other factors, however I've noticed this more with automatics. No doubt others could offer some insight, but accuracy alone is not proof that a movement is in good condition and the 861/1861 are not certified chronometers, despite being noted for rugged reliability.

You don't necessarily have to get it serviced at an Omega service centre and could opt for any Omega accredited watchmaker, but I would be inclined to ask for an assessment whether a service or any other work is required. In the past I have done this and had some watches sent back as not requiring any work. I don't know where you are based, but obviously try to find somebody reputable with plenty of experience. It's too nice a watch to neglect!
 
kingcesc
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Just wished that every answer around the internet could be super detailed and useful like yours.
Maybe I am over worried about the watch condition, because this was also the first time I bought a used-pieces without any service information.
I will take your advise looking around tokyo where I live for a trusted omega qualified watchmaker. So, anyone knows one, please share me.
p/s: It amazed me that your speedy has been running in that condition for 46 years without any service.
Cheers,
 
Sgt_Bilko
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kingcesc kingcesc
It amazed me that your speedy has been running in that condition for 46 years without any service.

I am not saying the Speedy hasn't been serviced in 46 years; merely that I don't know the service history, which is all too common when you purchase a vintage watch. It's really clean and winds smoothly, so I think it was well looked after, but the 861 is tough as nails, so it's not unheard of to find an old one that has never been serviced, yet still running.

No doubt you will find somebody good to check out your watch in Tokyo, but I think it is only wise to have it checked thoroughly and do any necessary work if you plan to wear it regularly. I didn't know the service history of my De Ville when it first arrived, so it spent a long time sat unused in a box, because I didn't want to risk any damage.
 
Skyblue44
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Sweet watches. I am trying to complete a purchase for a new white dial version on a steel bracelet from ebay. Will post pics when I get it.
 
Sgt_Bilko
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Skyblue44 Skyblue44
Sweet watches. I am trying to complete a purchase for a new white dial version on a steel bracelet from ebay. Will post pics when I get it.

Had a look on eBay but couldn't find it for whatever reason and there are never that many on sale. The original bracelet on these is really nice and I'm quietly on the look out for one, though generally happy to wear a leather strap.
 
Skyblue44
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I committed to buy it and am just trying to work out some details with Seller with whom I am having some difficulty reaching. Seller represents that it is NOS.
 
heccsat
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Skyblue44 Skyblue44
I committed to buy it and am just trying to work out some details with Seller with whom I am having some difficulty reaching. Seller represents that it is NOS.
Even if it is NOS, which I doubt, but it could happen of course, it will need a cleaning before you use it. Which country is it from?
 
Skyblue44
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This is the watch. From ebay seller ajlikeswatches. Apparently he has a very good ebay reputation.

Anyone have experience buying from this Seller?

Screenshot_20170606-182443.png
 
Sgt_Bilko
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It's strange, because I can find the seller with a specific search, but not that particular watch. Perhaps he has restricted sale in the UK for some reason, but I can see pages of other watches he is selling. It would definitely need a service if it is genuine NOS.
 
Skyblue44
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Sgt_Bilko Sgt_Bilko
It's strange, because I can find the seller with a specific search, but not that particular watch. Perhaps he has restricted sale in the UK for some reason, but I can see pages of other watches he is selling. It would definitely need a service if it is genuine NOS.
You probably can't see it because it is pending payment by me and has been taken off the public listing for now.
 
Sgt_Bilko
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Skyblue44 Skyblue44
You probably can't see it because it is pending payment by me and has been taken off the public listing for now.

OK that would make sense.
 
Skyblue44
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heccsat heccsat
Even if it is NOS, which I doubt, but it could happen of course, it will need a cleaning before you use it. Which country is it from?
Ebay stated it as being located in Flushing, New York.
 
kingcesc
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IMG_1851.PNG
I found this bracelet being for sale, but not sure if it would fit my speedy's sister or not.
 
kingcesc
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Skyblue44 Skyblue44
I committed to buy it and am just trying to work out some details with Seller with whom I am having some difficulty reaching. Seller represents that it is NOS.
2000$ is quite pricey
 
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