Best and durable Omega movement now?

Speedy13 · Jul 29, 2023

josiahg52
I can't understand what you're getting on about.
All watch movements wear.
Sometimes watches break.
Sometimes they're not covered by warranty.
Omega will replace worn parts as part of routine service free of charge. Of course, the service itself costs a base price but worn movement parts are replaced. Hands, dials, bezels, etc. are at cost.
The cal. 8500 went through several changes; 8500A co-axial, 8500B Si14 spring antimagnetic co-axial, 8500G full Si14 components Master Co-Axial.
The newer calibres you're talking about are resistant to magnetic fields <15,000 Gauss. Full stop. This is by way of a number of functional parts of the movement: pallet fork, mainspring, co-axial wheel, balance staff, etc.

All watch movements wear but some of them could work for 10-15 years and some of them just stop in 6-8 years or get serious loss in accuracy. That's a difference!
I am looking for a used Omega's and I'm trying to justify the difference lets say between 8500 vs 8900. if they upgrade 8500 with few parts closer to 8900 than I don't see a reason to spend an extra $$$ aftermarket. 8900 with 2 years warranty or 8500 after service with 2 years warranty
Omega doesnt charge for the hands by the way.

Exactly that's what I am talking about. No one could tell what level of resistance is 8500A or B. No one test! Even Omega they couldnt answer that.
I am asking what parts are exactly have serious affect on accuracy. I could tell you the same: Si14, escapement parts and etc.
I want to know more specifically and if possible to read that specific parts. Just to see how much they changed

josiahg52 · Jul 29, 2023

The cal. 8500 is resistant to magnetic fields less than 60 Gauss. That's the ISO spec so that's your answer. The cal. 8500B is resistant to magnetic fields less than 60 Gauss, probably more, with the addition of the Si14 spring. The later cal. 8500G, 8800, 8900, et al branded as Co-Axial Master Chronometers and are antimagnetic to fields <15,000 Gauss.

Really don't known why the antimagnetic property is so important. It's a neat feature but there are more important features worthy of our monies and consideration. Like, do you like how the watch looks and wears?

SpeedyPhill · Jul 30, 2023

(60+ years old) 321 😗

hronists · Jul 30, 2023

josiahg52
Really don't known why the antimagnetic property is so important. It's a neat feature but there are more important features worthy of our monies and consideration. Like, do you like how the watch looks and wears?

exactly. To me antimagnetic properties are just a marketing BS. I had watch magnetised once in IDK, 40 years and I have all kinds of magnets around - speakers, computers, tablet, phone case.

master chronometer with their 15k Gauss requirement is just another way to blow prices in already inflated market.

Duckie · Jul 30, 2023

I've never been convinced that a Co-axial escapement is a ground breaking solution to a problem.
As has been said before, even if the lube requirements of the escapement are indeed lessened, there are probably other parts which ought to be cleaned and re-oiled
That covers the servicing requirements from my perspective and unless there's obvious signs that something is not quite as it should be with the watch, then a balance between leaving it well alone and maintaining the watch has to be made, especially with regard to water resistance if that's of importance.

I have a 2403 in a ripper of a watch.
I have ridden my HD motorcycle whilst wearing it everyday out on the road for over a month whilst on a road trip on some of the worst roads imaginable that were chopped to pieces by road trains in parts.
I can say with the highest degree of certainty that its timekeeping never ever varied the entire time where as another mechanical watch would've struggled as I've found through previous experience.
That's where I see the hidden value in the Co-axial escapement👍
It was serviced for the first time in its life after about 13.5 years of intermittent use as my motorcycle riding watch and only because it was starting to slow down slightly over a period of time.
It was time to give it some love despite being well within COSC specs and a rock solid timekeeper because it progressively slowed from +3.5 seconds per day to about +1.
It was serviced by a highly regarded independent at a reasonable discount to an Omega service centre.

It ticks(no pun intended) all the boxes as a workhorse timekeeper and I'll die with that watch.

Funny, I was keeping an eye on the Co-axial thing for a good while but didn't jump in as an early adopter, but waited until Omega seemed to get on top of things as a novelty escapement in the collection.
In summary, the watch has well and truly proven its worth to me and it really didn't cost a whole lot of money with a generous 150 m of water resistance😀

Duckie · Jul 30, 2023

hronists
exactly. To me antimagnetic properties are just a marketing BS. I had watch magnetised once in IDK, 40 years and I have all kinds of magnets around - speakers, computers, tablet, phone case.

master chronometer with their 15k Gauss requirement is just another way to blow prices in already inflated market.

Yes, I've only ever magnetised a watch once in 40 odd years.
It was dealt with very easily.

Archer · Jul 30, 2023

S Speedy13
So, if we saw the parts returned from 8500 series it means just an update to escapement? and not because it has wear on it or wear on it?

Could be either.

S Speedy13
If the watch will fail after two years warranty will they charge me the full price for repair and I will need to pay? Or I have a chance to ask for a free service?

Service warranty is 2 years, and technically if anything fails outside of that, you would pay for another service. However Omega has been known to perform courtesy repairs for items outside the warranty.

S Speedy13
Maybe you know where I could read about other parts that refer to balance staff?
In simple terms to me antimagnetic parts are balance spring, balance wheel, escapement parts - co-axial wheel and fork and that's all I guess.. so would be happy to see what else I miss.

The balance staff is the shaft that the balance wheel spins on, and is made of steel typically. It can be magnetized, but the 15,000 Gauss movements they changed the material to a non-magnetic material. This along with the shock springs for the balance jewels, and the other items already mentioned.

gbesq · Jul 30, 2023

Davidt
I can’t help but think Omega simply wanted to get something Rolex didn’t have/couldn’t get and I think that’s a shame. They should’ve focused on innovation where it provided a real benefit and had faith in the brand and product.

Nah, long before the co-axial escapement, Omega already had the following that Rolex didn't have or couldn't get:
1. The first watch worn on the Moon;
2. The official timekeeper of the Olympics;
3. Stores with display cases that actually have watches in them;
4. Happy customers.

😁 Not intending to start a flame war, Rolex fans. Just having fun. 😁

EuroDriver · Jul 31, 2023

Davidt
Sorry OP I realise this doesn’t address your question but im waiting for the day Omega release a 42mm Planet Ocean, under 13mm thickness and without the coaxial escapement.

Sound like a Planet Ocean Quartz - either way, it would no longer a Planet Ocean at all!

I'm not an expert in Omega movements whatsoever. In fact, just beyond a noob. But I do own several Omega watches, including quartz, 2500, 8500, 8800 and 8900 movements and have been completely satisfied and issue-free with all of them. You can't go wrong with an 8900 - it's the newest, will be under warranty for 5 years (if purchased new) and the one with the longest service interval based on age alone.

josiahg52 · Jul 31, 2023

EuroDriver
Sound like a Planet Ocean Quartz - either way, it would no longer a Planet Ocean at all!

I'm not an expert in Omega movements whatsoever. In fact, just beyond a noob. But I do own several Omega watches, including quartz, 2500, 8500, 8800 and 8900 movements and have been completely satisfied and issue-free with all of them. You can't go wrong with an 8900 - it's the newest, will be under warranty for 5 years (if purchased new) and the one with the longest service interval based on age alone.

The cal. 8800 falls in this category. It's practically as new as the 8900, has a five-year warranty, benefits from equally long recommended service intervals, and is the 8900's equal in every way except for a single differing function between them. Don't count it out.

EuroDriver · Jul 31, 2023

True. Just depends on deciding between quick date or quick hour adjustment

Speedy13 · Jul 31, 2023

8900 - is technically the same as 8500.
So, 8 years interval are the same for all of them including chronographs and so on.

You will see, that next generation Omega movements will receive an upgrade to power reserve and 0+2 sec

For now I like Rolex, but they are not available.
3135 caliber - is absolute number 1 in terms of reliability and Omega calibers are not so good as 3135
However, the prices for used Rolex's are well overrated and it's a nightmare to think about. I start to look, but then see the price and close
Omega accuracy is 0+5, which means in worse case scenario your watch could gain more than 30 seconds a week = more than 2 minutes per month. If you read other threads that could happen. So-so accuracy in my opinion for a premium watch.

Rolex -2+2 sec means it's just 14 sec in a week maximum = 1 min in a month. On paper it sounds better to me.
But the price.....
So, I stuck at a point that on this price range there is simply no alternative
I don't understand how the Planet Ocean 8900 could cost aftermarket $4k, while completely new it's more than $7k. Older generations you could get just slightly above $3k. I don't see any reason to buy a new one with that loss, that's why raise a question about movements

josiahg52 · Jul 31, 2023

S Speedy13
3135 caliber - is absolute number 1 in terms of reliability and Omega calibers are not so good as 3135

That sounds like an opinion at best and hyperbolic at worst. Either way, hardly a subjective assessment.

Personally, I much prefer a watch that gains less than a few seconds a day over one that loses any time. My cal. 8800 Seamaster has proven very capably in that regard, losing less than 2 spd generally, but of course the rate changes depending on what seems to temperature and certainly my wear patterns. It has remained well within Omega's accuracy specs throughout my relatively short ownership. We'll see what the proceeding years show.

Archer · Jul 31, 2023

S Speedy13
3135 caliber - is absolute number 1 in terms of reliability and Omega calibers are not so good as 3135

You should save up and get the Rolex.

gbesq · Jul 31, 2023

S Speedy13
8900 - is technically the same as 8500.
So, 8 years interval are the same for all of them including chronographs and so on.

You will see, that next generation Omega movements will receive an upgrade to power reserve and 0+2 sec

For now I like Rolex, but they are not available.
3135 caliber - is absolute number 1 in terms of reliability and Omega calibers are not so good as 3135
However, the prices for used Rolex's are well overrated and it's a nightmare to think about. I start to look, but then see the price and close
Omega accuracy is 0+5, which means in worse case scenario your watch could gain more than 30 seconds a week = more than 2 minutes per month. If you read other threads that could happen. So-so accuracy in my opinion for a premium watch.

Rolex -2+2 sec means it's just 14 sec in a week maximum = 1 min in a month. On paper it sounds better to me.
But the price.....
So, I stuck at a point that on this price range there is simply no alternative
I don't understand how the Planet Ocean 8900 could cost aftermarket $4k, while completely new it's more than $7k. Older generations you could get just slightly above $3k. I don't see any reason to buy a new one with that loss, that's why raise a question about movements

What, is J.D. Power ranking Swiss luxury watch calibers now? I must have missed that.

ErichPryde · Jul 31, 2023

S Speedy13
3135 caliber - is absolute number 1 in terms of reliability and Omega calibers are not so good as 3135

Lol.

Archer
You should save up and get the Rolex.

This

spacemission · Jul 31, 2023

S Speedy13
8900 - is technically the same as 8500.
So, 8 years interval are the same for all of them including chronographs and so on.

You will see, that next generation Omega movements will receive an upgrade to power reserve and 0+2 sec

For now I like Rolex, but they are not available.
3135 caliber - is absolute number 1 in terms of reliability and Omega calibers are not so good as 3135
However, the prices for used Rolex's are well overrated and it's a nightmare to think about. I start to look, but then see the price and close
Omega accuracy is 0+5, which means in worse case scenario your watch could gain more than 30 seconds a week = more than 2 minutes per month. If you read other threads that could happen. So-so accuracy in my opinion for a premium watch.

Rolex -2+2 sec means it's just 14 sec in a week maximum = 1 min in a month. On paper it sounds better to me.
But the price.....
So, I stuck at a point that on this price range there is simply no alternative
I don't understand how the Planet Ocean 8900 could cost aftermarket $4k, while completely new it's more than $7k. Older generations you could get just slightly above $3k. I don't see any reason to buy a new one with that loss, that's why raise a question about movements

It sounds like aegler marketing.

rkny18 · Jul 31, 2023

What about buying the watch you like to look at and wear, that feels good on the wrist, and worrying about pinions and pallet jewels later? Crazy I know.

Deafcon · Jul 31, 2023

S Speedy13
8900 - is technically the same as 8500.
So, 8 years interval are the same for all of them including chronographs and so on.

You will see, that next generation Omega movements will receive an upgrade to power reserve and 0+2 sec

For now I like Rolex, but they are not available.
3135 caliber - is absolute number 1 in terms of reliability and Omega calibers are not so good as 3135

The 3135 has its issues. Rotor axle wear and grinding of the bridges from rotor contact:

With how the set wheel post is formed that is a weak spot as well:

7enderbender · Aug 1, 2023

I personally am always weary of the latest and greatest tech - especially in an industry with a few hundred years of traditions and tried and tested designs. For my latest Speedy I specifically wanted the 1861 still. The “upgrades” on the new model seemed unnecessary if not plain old wrong for such a historic model. It’s like putting an automatic transmission into a 911 or 3series. But that’s me.

Best and durable Omega movement now?

Speedy13

josiahg52

SpeedyPhill

hronists

Duckie

Duckie

Archer

gbesq

EuroDriver

josiahg52

EuroDriver

Speedy13

josiahg52

Archer

gbesq

ErichPryde

spacemission

rkny18

Deafcon

7enderbender

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