Community Stories

Hacking/non hacking movements

norb1967
Posts
498
Likes
410
Hello all

A question about when Omega started to make hacking movements (when the second hand stops when adjusting the time). When I first handled a vintage Omega (an early 50s Seamaster) I noticed the seconds hand didn’t stop when adjusting the time. I have a modern Speedy date (based on the Valjoux 7750 movement) where the seconds hand stops whenever adjusting the time.

At first I thought this was due to an issue with the cannon pinion, but after a little research I realised many vintage watches simply don’t have this functionality. Now I have a lovely 2849 Seamaster from 1959 (503 cal) running like a charm and just serviced, and it too doesn’t ‘hack’ when setting the time.

So, for curiosity’s sake, when did they start adding this feature, and how can one differentiate between a worn movement and one which simply doesn’t have that feature?
 
MtV
Posts
3,501
Likes
13,366
I believe that was introduced with the 10xx calibers starting from cal 1010, which would’ve been early 70s.

You can always check your movement stats on Ranfft (if you google “Omega xxx”, xxx being the caliber number, it’ll show up as one of the first results). There, it’ll tell you if the movement had a hack feature or not.

66E89639-FF6F-4636-B528-4FA2F4F1C3C4.jpeg
Edited:
 
Donn Chambers
Posts
2,756
Likes
3,664
Don’t forget that the 1861-based Speedmaster Pros also don’t hack, and these were produced up until a couple of years ago.
 
bmpennington
Posts
202
Likes
203
That is interesting to know about vintage watches. I have only owned a few and they had the hacking feature.
 
MtV
Posts
3,501
Likes
13,366
bmpennington bmpennington
That is interesting to know about vintage watches. I have only owned a few and they had the hacking feature.

It’s not half as painful as the early calendars without any quick- or semi-quickset…
 
Archer
Posts
30,038
Likes
77,547
MtV MtV
I believe that was introduced with the 10xx calibers starting from cal 1010, which would’ve been early 70s.

You can always check your movement stats on Ranfft (if you google “Omega xxx”, xxx being the caliber number, it’ll show up as one of the first results). There, it’ll tell you if the movement had a hack feature or not.

66E89639-FF6F-4636-B528-4FA2F4F1C3C4.jpeg

The prior 1000 series were the first that I am aware of.
 
impalla62ss
Posts
1,178
Likes
6,132
Donn Chambers Donn Chambers
Don’t forget that the 1861-based Speedmaster Pros also don’t hack, and these were produced up until a couple of years ago.
@Archer I have noticed that if you turn the hands counterclockwise on the 1861 it will keep the second hand from progressing, allowing a manual hack. My Rolex Date 1500 was the same way. Will this cause any damage to the movement?
 
Archer
Posts
30,038
Likes
77,547
impalla62ss impalla62ss
@Archer I have noticed that if you turn the hands counterclockwise on the 1861 it will keep the second hand from progressing, allowing a manual hack. My Rolex Date 1500 was the same way. Will this cause any damage to the movement?

No. Just don’t let the watch run backwards.
 
Archer
Posts
30,038
Likes
77,547
studeb studeb
<interested>

why not?

Well, if you look at the geometry of the escape wheel and pallet fork stones, it's pretty obvious they were not really designed to ruin that way. When you force it to happen, the jewels can be chipped at the worst, and oil can be spread where it doesn't belong at the least.
 
MtV
Posts
3,501
Likes
13,366
Archer Archer
The prior 1000 series were the first that I am aware of.

Sorry, which calibers prior to the 1000s do you mean? Not saying I doubt that statement, don’t get me wrong, just curious here. 😀
 
Archer
Posts
30,038
Likes
77,547
MtV MtV
Sorry, which calibers prior to the 1000s do you mean? Not saying I doubt that statement, don’t get me wrong, just curious here. 😀

Not prior to.

The prior 1000 series, so 1002 for example.
 
MtV
Posts
3,501
Likes
13,366
Archer Archer
Not prior to.

The prior 1000 series, so 1002 for example.

Ah, got you. Makes sense.
 
vintage hab
Posts
702
Likes
2,455
Archer Archer
No. Just don’t let the watch run backwards.
Interesting. I assume you don’t mean turn the hour/minute hands backwards when setting, as i always thought that this was ok.
How do you get a watch to “run”backwards?
 
Archer
Posts
30,038
Likes
77,547
vintage hab vintage hab
Interesting. I assume you don’t mean turn the hour/minute hands backwards when setting, as i always thought that this was ok.
How do you get a watch to “run”backwards?

 
Sign up or log in to reply...

Similar threads

hant26

(Price reduced) Ulysse Nardin A261, 36.5mm, chronometer, high beat, quick-set date, hacking second, bracelet, serviced, shipping fee included

hant26 Private Watch Sales
hant26
hant26
Posts
3
Views
1K
N

Intermittent hacking issue?

newwatchg Modern Omega Watches
502 to right
502 to right
Posts
6
Views
958
OmegaOwner2019

Watch does not immediately restart after hacking

OmegaOwner2019 Watchmaking
Archer
Archer
Posts
10
Views
1K
jjen

caliber 1861 hacking seconds question

jjen Modern Omega Watches
Evitzee
Evitzee
Posts
9
Views
2K
bigtriangle68

What year did Omega introduce hacking seconds?

bigtriangle68 Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
gbesq
gbesq
Posts
11
Views
6K
Dimitar Adamski

Are there different versions of the Lemania movements ? Plastic & non plastic parts?

Dimitar Adamski Open Discussion
Davidt
Davidt
Posts
3
Views
1K