Cal 564 quickset date question

norb1967 · Aug 20, 2022

Edit: please see my post on this thread from January 2023 for additional but related question

Original post:

Hello all,

I continue my search for a dog leg Connie, and am having thoughts about looking at a date model.

However my question today is related more to the movements in the date model, in particular the 564 with the quickset date.

I don’t mean for this to be an inane question, and hope that I might get some good insight. I have heard anecdotally at some point that the 564 quickset mechanism can be prone to breakage/failure. Certainly from a logical point of view the method by which the date is set (repeatedly pulling the crown in and out) is potentially stressful for certain components. From a practical and experience aspect though, is this actually the case, and as such is a model with the 561 perhaps more safe, with the tried and tested semi quick set.

Thanks in advance.

Peemacgee · Aug 20, 2022

It’s not anecdotal as the quickset mechanism can be a point of issue.
However, if you treat the mechanism carefully ( by positioning the hands to 6.30 when setting the date) practically it should cause no problems.

The cal 564 is the zenith (small z) of Omega’s 500 series movements ( some would say the high point of their vintage mechanical movements) and of the several I have, I have had no problems with any of them.

Peemacgee · Aug 20, 2022

A link to an essay by Desmond if you haven’t already seen it.
http://users.tpg.com.au/mondodec/movement3.pdf

norb1967 · Aug 20, 2022

Thanks both. I hadn’t seen this essay. Indeed, Desmond suggests that actually the quick set is robust, and that one is better off not overusing the semi quick date.

DON · Aug 22, 2022

Everything is robust in moderation. I would think the pin would be the weak link if constantly used over time, but most vintage tended to be one owned models (meaning owner probably only owned a single watch).

Can use when the date is the same day as when you want to wear it to avoid changing date (or don't care and leave date as is)

Can also try the reverse date correction where you move the hands back and then forward to change the date and repeat

Or use the quickset to change dates

DON

dsio · Aug 22, 2022

It’s worth mentioning I’ve not had one with a broken quickset but I’ve bought watches that were “said to have” a broken quickset but worked fine. In those instances I think it’s more a matter of people thinking it’s broken because it operates differently to most modern quickset watches and without a manual it isn’t obvious.

Dan S · Aug 22, 2022

No-date references are so much more attractive! ::stirthepot::

Larry S · Aug 23, 2022

I have a 564 with a Service crown (i prefer it actually) but the quick set does not work. Ive been tossing the thought of getting it fixed for years. I suspect the service crown and the quickset not working are somehow connected. Noob tax on this one big time, bricks and mortar dealer, but it’s still a nice piece aesthetically. I’m a sucker for a clean dial and the onyx inserts.

norb1967 · Jan 9, 2023

Hello,

I’ve just updated the original post with an edit to reflect this question. I didn’t want to start a new thread in order to confuse things.

In @mondodec (Desmond’s) essay he mentions that later cal. 564 have an alteration making them slightly more robust. I’ve highlighted the bit where this is mentioned. Does anyone know if this can be pinpointed around a serial number/year? Also, I didn’t quite understand the thing about the figure 1 being placed within the omega symbol on the drive train bridge. Can anyone clarify?

Cheers!

padders · Jan 9, 2023

I think Desmond may be in error with that particular sentence, something that is a rarity.

A '1' in the Omega symbol is linked to the hand height for that given dial and is seen on dials with large blocky applied indices that need to be cleared. It is seen on many 1960s movements, not just the 564. I guess the mark may have been introduced coincidentally when the 564 was rolled out, but I don't think it is related to any supposed improvements over the 561.

norb1967 · Jan 9, 2023

Interesting. Does anyone have a photo showing the difference in how the components look?

Archer · Jan 9, 2023

norb1967
Hello,

I’ve just updated the original post with an edit to reflect this question. I didn’t want to start a new thread in order to confuse things.

In @mondodec (Desmond’s) essay he mentions that later cal. 564 have an alteration making them slightly more robust. I’ve highlighted the bit where this is mentioned. Does anyone know if this can be pinpointed around a serial number/year? Also, I didn’t quite understand the thing about the figure 1 being placed within the omega symbol on the drive train bridge. Can anyone clarify?

Cheers!

This information is incorrect on two fronts...

The “spiral” design is actually the updated version, and the more solid design is the outdated version. This change was made to ensure that if there was a quick change made at the wrong time, the date indicator or date driving wheel didn’t get damaged. This design will often just flex and not damage anything, or in the worst case the thin end will break off.

Second, the number inside the Omega symbol has nothing to do with movement modifications. If it did, it would be in the double digits by now because there have been a pile of upgrades done to this series of movements. The number reflects the hand height, which is the length of the sweep seconds pinion, the cannon pinion, and the hour wheel. These are different heights so that hands can clear dials with higher applied markers on them.

Cheers, Al

norb1967 · Jan 10, 2023

Archer
This information is incorrect on two fronts...

The “spiral” design is actually the updated version, and the more solid design is the outdated version. This change was made to ensure that if there was a quick change made at the wrong time, the date indicator or date driving wheel didn’t get damaged. This design will often just flex and not damage anything, or in the worst case the thin end will break off.

Second, the number inside the Omega symbol has nothing to do with movement modifications. If it did, it would be in the double digits by now because there have been a pile of upgrades done to this series of movements. The number reflects the hand height, which is the length of the sweep seconds pinion, the cannon pinion, and the hour wheel. These are different heights so that hands can clear dials with higher applied markers on them.

Cheers, Al

Thanks for this detailed explanation @Archer! Do you have any photos to show the difference between the two different styles of mechanism (spiral and original bit)? Also - what is the reason for using the quick date function when the watch is set to 6.30? Someone mentioned to do this earlier in the thread in order to minimise wear.

Archer · Jan 10, 2023

norb1967
Thanks for this detailed explanation @Archer! Do you have any photos to show the difference between the two different styles of mechanism (spiral and original bit)? Also - what is the reason for using the quick date function when the watch is set to 6.30? Someone mentioned to do this earlier in the thread in order to minimise wear.

The old style is on the left, and the current design is on the right inside the package:

6:30 is just a "safe" time to use the quick set date, no matter if it's am or pm. It's not about wear, but about avoiding damage.

norb1967 · Jan 10, 2023

Archer
The old style is on the left, and the current design is on the right inside the package:

6:30 is just a "safe" time to use the quick set date, no matter if it's am or pm. It's not about wear, but about avoiding damage.

Thanks. Is it possible to retrofit the later changed design to a movement which has the old one?

Archer · Jan 10, 2023

norb1967
Thanks. Is it possible to retrofit the later changed design to a movement which has the old one?

Yes. In fact Omega calls this a mandatory upgrade...

norb1967 · Jan 11, 2023

Was the rollout of the 564 subsequent to the 561, or around the same time? I see some 564s with serial numbers very close to 561s, implying they were in the same year (around serial 24 million, 1966)

Peemacgee · Jan 11, 2023

norb1967
Was the rollout of the 564 subsequent to the 561, or around the same time? I see some 564s with serial numbers very close to 561s, implying they were in the same year (around serial 24 million, 1966)

You may find this useful.
https://omegaforums.net/threads/full-list-of-omega-calibers-from-1894.42412/

However, whilst the beginning of a calibre run is known, the ending is not recorded and there are overlaps.

norb1967 · Jan 11, 2023

Peemacgee
You may find this useful.
https://omegaforums.net/threads/full-list-of-omega-calibers-from-1894.42412/

However, whilst the beginning of a calibre run is known, the ending is not recorded and there are overlaps.

Thanks - I didn’t know about this!

Winston_Smith · Jun 7, 2024

Peemacgee
However, if you treat the mechanism carefully ( by positioning the hands to 6.30 when setting the date) practically it should cause no problems.

So my missus wanted to play with the pump-action calendar setting of my 564... And quick date stopped working today (new day would be stuck halfway through) and even the date wouldn't switch after midnight. Set the hands to 6:30 position and it's back on! This post saved my watch and possibly my relationship (just exaggerating but definitely saved the day lol)

Cal 564 quickset date question

norb1967

Peemacgee

Peemacgee

norb1967

DON

dsio

Dan S

Larry S

norb1967

padders

norb1967

Archer

norb1967

Archer

norb1967

Archer

norb1967

Peemacgee

norb1967

Winston_Smith

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