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ctime3
·39.5mm.
A look at some defective parts
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NT931
·This isn't any cause for panic or to avoid a specific movement - it's part of the growing pains that movements go through over their life span. If you compare a Rolex 3135 made back in 1980's when they were first introduced (to replace the 3035 that had even more problems and was discontinued fairly quickly in Rolex terms) to one made very recently, they won't be exactly the same because specific problems that appeared from longer term use were resolved with design changes. All companies go through this kind of thing to one degree or another, and Omega has been here before fairly recently with the 2500 movements - the problems with those appear to be far more widespread than this one is from what I've seen so far, and no-one issued a recall back then, and I'm pretty sure they won't now.
Cheers, Al
Thanks Al for the explanation. As with the DLC-coated barrels in the 8500 that I ran into problems with sometime ago, Omega helped me resolve the issues quite quickly. I certainly don't feel like a beta-tester, and it's certainly not unexpected for newer calibres to go through such 'growing pains' as you've nicely put it. Overall I'm just glad that Omega seems committed to solving these problems as they crop and and disseminate the info along the way.
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sevenhelmet
·So if this issue (or others) results in a movement "update", do watches automatically get new parts during their next service, sort of like a technical service bulletin for cars, or is it presented as an option to the owner at service time? I suppose warranty status would make a difference too, but I'd like to think I'll be able to take advantage of any updated parts etc. for my 8800 down the road.
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sevenhelmet
·Nice at first I was like way too smalll and it's about the same size as the 300 justva smidge taller
It's essentially a 40mm watch, which is a very classic and versatile size. The case thickness is mitigated by the way Omega did the end links, especially on the bracelet. I ended up with the bracelet and strap, and it's giving my Speedmaster a run for its money on which watch is my favorite (but shhh... don't tell anybody...)
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Archer
··Omega Qualified WatchmakerSo if this issue (or others) results in a movement "update", do watches automatically get new parts during their next service, sort of like a technical service bulletin for cars, or is it presented as an option to the owner at service time? I suppose warranty status would make a difference too, but I'd like to think I'll be able to take advantage of any updated parts etc. for my 8800 down the road.
Omega keeps a list of "mandatory upgrade" parts for each caliber, so they do have these sort of hidden recalls like when you take your car to the dealer and they replace some things, but they are not serious enough to warrant a full recall where they send you a letter to bring the car in, so they just do it next time you are there. This does not rely on the watch being under warranty or not - the changes are done regardless.
There are also part exchanges that happen only when they show evidence of a problem. The DLC coated barrels and the balance with the jewel problem are only changed if the item shows evidence of being defective, so it's not an automatic swap. The problematic jewels shown above are an automatic swap no matter what during service.
These kind of changes don't result in a new movement designation by the way, they are just updates to specific parts.
Cheers, Al
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sevenhelmet
·Thanks, Al. That's great info.
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ctime3
·It's essentially a 40mm watch, which is a very classic and versatile size. The case thickness is mitigated by the way Omega did the end links, especially on the bracelet. I ended up with the bracelet and strap, and it's giving my Speedmaster a run for its money on which watch is my favorite (but shhh... don't tell anybody...)
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M.D.
·Omega keeps a list of "mandatory upgrade" parts for each caliber, so they do have these sort of hidden recalls like when you take your car to the dealer and they replace some things, but they are not serious enough to warrant a full recall where they send you a letter to bring the car in, so they just do it next time you are there. This does not rely on the watch being under warranty or not - the changes are done regardless.
There are also part exchanges that happen only when they show evidence of a problem. The DLC coated barrels and the balance with the jewel problem are only changed if the item shows evidence of being defective, so it's not an automatic swap. The problematic jewels shown above are an automatic swap no matter what during service.
These kind of changes don't result in a new movement designation by the way, they are just updates to specific parts.
Cheers, Al
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karalhoin
·If you compare a Rolex 3135 made back in 1980's when they were first introduced (to replace the 3035 that had even more problems and was discontinued fairly quickly in Rolex terms) to one made very recently, they won't be exactly the same because specific problems that appeared from longer term use were resolved with design changes.
Picking on that, and at the risk of being off-topic, what is your opinion regarding the modern 3135?
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fskywalker
·Thanks for sharing!!!
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ScubaPro
·One of my pet peeves about products these days (and I review cars and motorcycles for a living) is the whole "let the customer be the beta tester" thinking. I think part of the problem is a reliance on computer models to simulate real-world wear and tear, and there are always limitations that get overlooked and therefore failures once products are released into the harsh environment of human beings and the things they do. For example (and I have to say so far, so good) is the durability of silicon hairsprings. There's no way of testing how many years they will work and stay within spec under simulated conditions-they just have to be in the wild for years to see what happens. I've not heard anything that would indicate there's a problem, but my point is there's really no way of knowing if the spring will last ten, twenty years of continuous running under varying temperatures, vibration levels, shocks, etc. until its actually done it. Both Omega and Rolex have produced new movements the last few years, and I can't help but wonder how long these things were tested before being launched in watches. Certain things (like clasp testing) can certainly be accelerated to indicate weak points, but a lot of things can't. Anyway, there's always a potential for problems when anything as complex as a new watch movement is launched. Just be glad these are watches and not cars or motorcycles with new designs and/or technologies. Hoo boy. The things I could tell you. . .
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Davidt
·Wanted to bump this thread to see if there's been anything further in the last 12 months, with respect to some of the issues. Is it a very minor issue happening a few watches that one would expect or is it an issue comparable to the older 2500 coaxials?
@Stewart H since your watch went back to Omega has everything been fine? How's timekeeping?
@Archer have you had a chance to service any more 8400/8500 movements in the last 12 months and have your thoughts on them changed?
@Stewart H since your watch went back to Omega has everything been fine? How's timekeeping?
@Archer have you had a chance to service any more 8400/8500 movements in the last 12 months and have your thoughts on them changed?
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Archer
··Omega Qualified WatchmakerI don't believe this is on the same level as the 2 level co-axial movement issues were. That is an inherent design flaw, where this appears to be a quality issue with the jewels. Of course Omega aren't going to tell you how widespread the problems may be...
Cheers, Al
Cheers, Al
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M'Bob
·One of my pet peeves about products these days (and I review cars and motorcycles for a living) is the whole "let the customer be the beta tester" thinking. I think part of the problem is a reliance on computer models to simulate real-world wear and tear, and there are always limitations that get overlooked and therefore failures once products are released into the harsh environment of human beings and the things they do. For example (and I have to say so far, so good) is the durability of silicon hairsprings. There's no way of testing how many years they will work and stay within spec under simulated conditions-they just have to be in the wild for years to see what happens. I've not heard anything that would indicate there's a problem, but my point is there's really no way of knowing if the spring will last ten, twenty years of continuous running under varying temperatures, vibration levels, shocks, etc. until its actually done it. Both Omega and Rolex have produced new movements the last few years, and I can't help but wonder how long these things were tested before being launched in watches. Certain things (like clasp testing) can certainly be accelerated to indicate weak points, but a lot of things can't. Anyway, there's always a potential for problems when anything as complex as a new watch movement is launched. Just be glad these are watches and not cars or motorcycles with new designs and/or technologies. Hoo boy. The things I could tell you. . .
This paradigm is similar in a lot of market-related systems, where it is uber-competitive, and there is a tremendous amount of money at stake if a product is delayed in introduction. For instance, I have heard from someone in pharmaceutical sales that companies will not infrequently short-cut rigid testing with full knowledge that potential, future lawsuit settlements are still worth getting the product to market quickly. I'm guessing that with Omega, and some of the other watch companies, introducing new innovations, and getting the excitement around that and then the product out to market, is worth whatever repairs come in under warranty down the road.
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dinexus
·Truly fascinating thread - this one escaped my lurking radar when it surfaced last year. Doesn't keep me from wanting a Seamaster 300 myself... Glad to hear there isn't any other widespread update needed though.
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watchos
·This problem is apparently affecting all of the highly anti-magnetic calibers currently. Not sure what the root cause is, or how widespread the problem is though.
Does this affect the 8900 or other Metas movements as well? Have you encountered any similar issues with those?
Thanks for sharing this info. Very interesting read.
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Gruesome
·Archer, do you know what the balance staff material is on these watches? Is it the same as in the earlier less anti-magnetic calibers, or a different type of steel, or something else? The oil looks like something (rust?) is suspended in it.
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Davidt
·Isn't the spring silicon based and the wheel titanium.
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