Aqua Terra - stiff wind anyone?

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Impgreene

·Mar 6, 2020

I recently bought an AT, but have found the 'wind' a lot stiffer compared to other watches I owned.

I popped into an OB today to sort out an problem with a PO, and told the manager about the issue with the winding on the AT - he said he had noticed the same on the ATs versus the other watches in the shop when he had been winding them, and hence he thought it was just something to do with that particular line.

I was inclined to believe him, as I didn't have the watch with me and hence he wasn't in danger of me asking him to go through the hassle of sending it off to sort it out.

But I wondered, just for confirmation, if anyone else experienced a similar issue with ATs?

 

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Martin_F

·Mar 6, 2020

Did you ask to wind any of their ATs in the store?
That would have probably shown you if they feel about the same as your own.

 

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Impgreene

·Mar 6, 2020

I didn't, but will when I go and pick up the other watch upon its return ………….

 

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mr_smith

·Mar 6, 2020

Impgreene

But I wondered, just for confirmation, if anyone else experienced a similar issue with ATs?

Actually, that's the case for mine too... out of my watches, the AT has the stiffest feel/wind to it. For reference, I have the Skyfall midsize (8500 cal) and am comparing it to two SMPs with 1120 cal, and two POs with 2500 cal (not that the caliber has anything to do with it, just mentioning in order to clarify on the generations of each). Not sure how to explain the feel of the stiffer wind on the AT... someone with more knowledge can surely confirm, but I'm not sure it's an issue necessarily.

 

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Impgreene

·Mar 6, 2020

My comparator Omega was a 2500 cal PO too (which is a very easy wind) plus a couple of other non-related brands.

I had assumed it was an issue, and after just having to send the same PO back for the 3rd time (once for the service, once to sort out something they missed and once again to sort out something that still isn't right) I was about to start getting a bit upset at my Omegas!

Would definitely be interested to know if anyone has a view as to the cause ……………..

 

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scapa

·Mar 6, 2020

I experienced this with an AT Ryder Cup I handled recently. Both the wind and the time/date set were REALLY stiff compared to the NYC LE and newer green-dial AT I handled in that OB. Didn't ask for or receive an explanation and not sure which caliber the Ryder comes with since I'd not seen this model before -- had gold lugs or endlink and a bit of gold writing on the display caseback.

Only comparable in my collection is an older Damasko, but those have a special crown tube decoupling "lubricating cell" system and have a stiff, grainy feel seemingly by design.

 

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Donn Chambers

·Mar 6, 2020

The modern co-axial movements are all quite a bit stiffer to wind than the 1120 or 2500 movements (both based on the ETA-2892). The ETA-2892 has a buttery soft winding with very little resistance - it often feels like it isn’t doing anything!

it’s just the nature of the beast in the new movements. Don’t know why it’s so, but it’s nothing to worry about.

 

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Peter_from_NL

·Mar 6, 2020

My AT is clearly stiffer than my Moonwatch. Seems normal.

 

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kiwi_kal

·Mar 6, 2020

I don't have multiple Omega's to compare but my AT (same exact model as OPs) definitely seems stiffer vs. my Hamilton or Ulysse Nardin. Glad it's not just me!

 

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Tzoid

·Jun 20, 2021

I searched the forum and found this Subject and thread because my new Aqua Tera has unusually stiff winding, setting and crown function. The watch has been working flawless but it concerns me. I also own 2 modern Seamaster Professional 300's and they wind so soft and quiet I sometimes need to be sure the crown is in the correct position. The SMPs have Caliber 8800 and the AT has Caliber 8900 so possibly that's the difference.

 

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dsio

·Jun 20, 2021·Ash @ ΩF

My dad has an AT8500 Skyfall and its extraordinarily stiff to wind and set and has been since new, its been to Omega to have it addressed and was slightly better for a while but is tighter than ever now.

 

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magicbadger

·Jun 21, 2021

Mine is quite stiff. I assumed it was because of the double barrel.

 

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Barqy

·Jun 21, 2021

I just bought an AT 41mm 3 months or so ago. it's almost as though there is resistance when manually winding the watch. It's not 'gritty' or unsmooth in winding feel, rather it's just like there is resistance.

I asked the AD about this and they mentioned that it could just be the case of needing some break-in, but it seems like it's more pervasive than I had thought.

I learned something today - thanks!

 

B

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Bry

·Jun 27, 2021

My AT 8900 is a bit stiff but think there could be a reason. I checked the measurements vs my other OMEGAs and here is what I found...

- AT 8900 has conical crown measuring thinnest 5.7mm to 6.3mm ( could be due to less surface area, grip from edging means more wrist torque to wind and a harder wind feel...??)
- SMP 8800 has a straight coin edge crown 6.3mm (more surface area to wind)
- Speedy Pro 1861 has straight coin edge crown 6.3mm (different movement but winds nicely and wanted to show size comparison)

I'd be curious to see if someone could measure the crown on a Planet Ocean 8900 for comparison. I welcome thoughts as well 😀

 

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watchdanny

·Jun 27, 2021

I've noticed that both the 8500 and the 8900 movements are stiffer especially when they are a couple years old compared to a standard eta movement. It shouldn't be a problem. I would just have a watchmaker look at it to make sure the watch doesn't need service

 

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Chris M

·Apr 4, 2022

I noticed the same on my AT with the 8900 calibre. It's extremely difficult to wind, compared to other watches I own. There are only a few replies here - but is this normal behaviour? I could imagine that the 8900 has two barrels and I can see that both are winded at once. So I thought that this is the problem

 

R

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richiv

·Apr 4, 2022

My 41mm AT with the 8900 is also difficult to wind compared to all of my other watches. I've seen this mentioned from others on this forum and others so I assume it is normal.

 

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bombaywalla

·Apr 4, 2022

My Calibre 1164 was very stiff to wind when i first bought it & that didnt change after SGUS did full service on it in 2012. winding that watch would nearly cause some of my skin to break on my thumb -- after winding the thumb skin felt bruised. luckily i didnt have to wind too often...
but after Nesbit serviced the watch the winding is buttery smooth.

 

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Tzoid

·Apr 4, 2022

I think it's a combination of the movement and cupcake crown. I love the watch but not so much winding it and setting it.

 

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Annapolis

·Apr 4, 2022

I'm another AT41 (8900 movement) owner who has had the same experience. I've owned many mechanical watches, old and new, manual and automatic, and have never had another that was nearly as hard to wind as this one. To the point where I worry sometimes that I'm going to break something. The crown turns and the watch winds, but it requires some torque. I did not experience anything like this with the 2500-era AT I owned previously, or the SM300p ceramic I recently owned.

And as others have mentioned, this is a known thing about this watch. The watch works perfectly and keeps great time, and I have no concerns about any other aspect of it. I just deal with it, and figure it'll (maybe) get sorted when it's time for a service, though I may opt to do that service while it's still under warranty...