Can someone help interpret timegrapher readings on my 8500?

EuroDriver · Jan 29, 2025

I took my Aqua Terra 8500 to my OB for inspection. Results said amplitude a little low, service recommended but it's up to customer. My SA said I could wear it for a couple more months and send it in for service in the summer. Here's the results I was provided.

I figured between now and summer, if I'm already there I said let's just take care of it now and I authorized the service. However, I'm curious to know more of my watch's current condition and if service was indeed imminent. Not looking to be made to feel good about my decision, I'm interested in the honest truth of the condition. Can someone help me make some sense of it and what is your opinion? Thanks in advance.

502 to right · Jan 29, 2025

There's no way I would have had that watch serviced. Your rate is excellent (average of +2.9 seconds a day). Your delta (difference between the fastest position and slowest) is excellent at 3.4 seconds. Your beat error is excellent.

I don't know what the amplitude standards are for a 8500 but those numbers are not shockingly low.

Are you have power reserve issues? I doubt it but wanted to ask.

Personally, I let on wrist performance determine if I have a watch serviced. If a watch keeps good time and the power reserve is adequate for my needs, no service.

EuroDriver · Jan 29, 2025

The watch had been running fine, very accurate. I was concerned because I bought it online with no service history. Being the first watch I'm sending for service, perhaps I concluded the amplitude is more concerning than it really is, given that the internet Bible claims less than 270 indicates a need for service.

502 to right · Thurs. 12:09am

EuroDriver
The watch had been running fine, very accurate. I was concerned because I bought it online with no service history. Being the first watch I'm sending for service, perhaps I concluded the amplitude is more concerning than it really is, given that the internet Bible claims less than 270 indicates a need for service.

If it's a watch you want to keep for years and years and figure you'll have it serviced anyway so why not do it now and enjoy a basically "new" watch, I get it. I did that with a Seamaster 2220.80 I bought that was running fine, but was 10 years old and had an unknown service history and I wanted to get it in like new condition. So I sent it in and basically got a new watch back. I was very happy with my decision.

But in terms of current performance, I don't think that watch needs a service right now.

FWIW, the only amplitude standard Rolex has at full wind is that the amplitude not exceed a certain number. Minimum amplitude is measured 24 hours after a full wind (and the watch has not been moved). The minimum standard is 200 after 24 hours.

EuroDriver · Thurs. 8:36am

It is my plan to keep this one long term. I figure that this watch being more than 10 years old has never been serviced, since it came from a reputable seller with no box or papers and unknown service history.

I was more interested in having the crystal replaced because it has a lot of hairline scratches on the AR coating and overall the watch could benefit from a little touch-up. Sending it in for a crystal replacement was going to run $200.

My online research revealed that the amplitude on this movement should be between 270-320 degrees so to the uninitiated like me, it made sense to do a full service, since I was going to do the crystal replacement anyway. However, I'm still ignorant as to what the numbers truly say about my watch.

502 to right · Thurs. 2:47pm

EuroDriver
It is my plan to keep this one long term. I figure that this watch being more than 10 years old has never been serviced, since it came from a reputable seller with no box or papers and unknown service history.

I was more interested in having the crystal replaced because it has a lot of hairline scratches on the AR coating and overall the watch could benefit from a little touch-up. Sending it in for a crystal replacement was going to run $200.

My online research revealed that the amplitude on this movement should be between 270-320 degrees so to the uninitiated like me, it made sense to do a full service, since I was going to do the crystal replacement anyway. However, I'm still ignorant as to what the numbers truly say about my watch.

Could you post your source for amplitude? I'm not doubting you but I'm curious as to that claim. 320 seems high.

Hopefully @Archer will chime in as he undoubtedly knows the standard.

edit - it originally said "I'm doubting you." I meant to write, "I'm NOT doubting you..."

Archer · Thurs. 2:55pm

502 to right
Could you post your source for amplitude? I'm doubting you but I'm curious as to that claim. 320 seems high.

Hopefully @Archer will chime in as he undoubtedly knows the standard.

The only specification from Omega is that 24 hours after full wind, the amplitude should not be below 200 degrees in any position.

EuroDriver · Thurs. 3:11pm

Archer
The only specification from Omega is that 24 hours after full wind, the amplitude should not be below 200 degrees in any position.

Thanks @Archer - would you mind sharing with me your interpretation of the printout?

With regard to the amplitude parameters, that's what the Google AI results spit out. I know I have read the same thing previously, but this time I couldn't find anything else on the internet repeating this.

Archer · Thurs. 3:18pm

EuroDriver
Thanks @Archer - would you mind sharing with me your interpretation of the printout?

Sure.

502 to right
Your rate is excellent (average of +2.9 seconds a day). Your delta (difference between the fastest position and slowest) is excellent at 3.4 seconds. Your beat error is excellent.

EuroDriver
With regard to the amplitude parameters, that's what the Google AI results spit out. I know I have read the same thing previously, but this time I couldn't find anything else on the internet repeating this.

I really wish people would stop using AI...

EuroDriver · Thurs. 3:23pm

Thanks. Seems like my SA was less than truthful with me about the imminent need for service. On the one hand, I feel like calling to cancel the service, other than the crystal replacement. On the other hand, getting it done and over with and having a fully restored watch is not a half-bad idea.

Decisions, decisions....

Archer · Thurs. 3:27pm

EuroDriver
Thanks. Seems like my SA was less than truthful with me about the imminent need for service. On the one hand, I feel like calling to cancel the service, other than the crystal replacement. On the other hand, getting it done and over with and having a fully restored watch is not a half-bad idea.

Decisions, decisions....

I have no idea what the state of wind is when they took that test. If it was at full wind, the amplitude isn't great.

Having said that, any parts that might be wearing inside are going to be replaced under the standard charge that they have, so you are not saving any money by having it serviced now compared to a year from now (unless the service cost goes up).

The only thing I would say is, be careful around water, because if it leaks and the dial gets damaged, then that is not covered under a normal service cost.

EuroDriver · Thurs. 3:40pm

Archer
I have no idea what the state of wind is when they took that test. If it was at full wind, the amplitude isn't great.

Having said that, any parts that might be wearing inside are going to be replaced under the standard charge that they have, so you are not saving any money by having it serviced now compared to a year from now (unless the service cost goes up).

The only thing I would say is, be careful around water, because if it leaks and the dial gets damaged, then that is not covered under a normal service cost.

That's what's a little disappointing. This was done at an Omega boutique. They kept the watch for about a week, which I would assume was to thoroughly test it. Upon completion, I received no explanation of what the readings mean, other than I can keep using it until the summer. I'll admit that perhaps I should have asked more questions but I didn;t know what to ask at the time. I guess I should have done my homework first. I'll ask my questions when I pick it up. Hopefully I will get detailed answers.

Another interesting thing is that when I dropped it off, I was told I could pay to have the crystal replaced as a partial service, or its replacement would be included as part of a full service. When I went to pick up the watch and ultimately approved getting it serviced, I was told the crystal replacement was not included, and I could have it done for an extra cost ($200 USD). They explained that the only crystals whose replacement is included with a full service are Hesalite crystals.

In an abundance of caution, I will stay the course and get it fully serviced. However, I worry if I'm going to be left wondering if some parts have wear, but not enough to warrant replacement now, and I will be in this spot after 2 years. Time will tell (no pun intended. Well, maybe...)

502 to right · Thurs. 3:49pm

EuroDriver
Another interesting thing is that when I dropped it off, I was told I could pay to have the crystal replaced as a partial service, or its replacement would be included as part of a full service. When I went to pick up the watch and ultimately approved getting it serviced, I was told the crystal replacement was not included, and I could have it done for an extra cost ($200 USD). They explained that the only crystals whose replacement is included with a full service are Hesalite crystals.

I've never known Omega to include a new crystal as part of a standard service price. Hands, crowns, gaskets, and internal movement parts are included but not bezels, crystals, dials, or bracelet links.

Archer · Thurs. 3:52pm

502 to right
I've never known Omega to include a new crystal as part of a standard service price. Hands, crowns, gaskets, and internal movement parts are included but not bezels, crystals, or dials.

Acrylic crystals are, but not sapphire.

EuroDriver · Thurs. 3:55pm

I took a look in Omega's website in the section about what's included in a service and no mention of replacing the crystal. Just interesting that there is confusion about this at the OB (it was 2 different SAs that gave me the conflicting info).

502 to right · Thurs. 3:58pm

EuroDriver
I took a look in Omega's website in the section about what's included in a service and no mention of replacing the crystal. Just interesting that there is confusion about this at the OB (it was 2 different SAs that gave me the conflicting info).

Confusion amongst OB sales associates is pretty much par for the course. I think I know more about Omega watches than most SA's do.

502 to right · Thurs. 3:59pm

Archer
Acrylic crystals are, but not sapphire.

Good to know. I've never had a watch with an acrylic crystal serviced by Omega.

ErichPryde · Thurs. 5:35pm

502 to right
Confusion amongst OB sales associates is pretty much par for the course. I think I know more about Omega watches than most SA's do.

I don't think that's a question, it's definitely been my experience. I would expect that most of the serious contributors to this forum probably do.

ErichPryde · Thurs. 5:37pm

EuroDriver
I took a look in Omega's website in the section about what's included in a service and no mention of replacing the crystal. Just interesting that there is confusion about this at the OB (it was 2 different SAs that gave me the conflicting info).

From what I have seen of Omega Services here and on other forums, the (sapphire) crystal is absolutely extra. I've also been told that by two different Omega watchmakers not Archer. Not that I doubt Archer's word- just adding to it.

Maybe the SA means they'll make an exception for you and take it out of the store's pocket because you're such a good customer? 😅

EuroDriver · Thurs. 5:53pm

ErichPryde
Maybe the SA means they'll make an exception for you and take it out of the store's pocket because you're such a good customer? 😅

Lol, not quite the case. When I authorized the service, they added on the cost of the crystal replacement to the estimate. $700 for service, $200 for crystal replacement. Grand total $900.

I'm not complaining - this is my first service experience with a luxury watch brand. What I'm learning is that it's not much different than getting service for a luxury vehicle, except that with cars, they over-explain the situation for the inevitable upsell. Thankfully, I know my cars well enough to call their BS. In this case, there was no upsell by any means, just the stark lack of a comprehensive explanation for the uninitiated like me. Thus, ΩF to the rescue to educate me. Soon I'll know enough to offer my own educated opinions.

Can someone help interpret timegrapher readings on my 8500?

EuroDriver

502 to right

EuroDriver

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EuroDriver

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Archer

EuroDriver

Archer

EuroDriver

Archer

EuroDriver

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Archer

EuroDriver

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502 to right

ErichPryde

ErichPryde

EuroDriver

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