Is Omega Fairly Classified As An Entry Level Luxury Brand?

jlam1127 · Nov 7, 2019

I know Frederique Constant doesn't get a whole lotta love here, but I like their WorldTimer..... Also isn't their movement in house and not Chinese/Japanese?

Claven2 · Nov 7, 2019

rainking
Those charts, at least the bottom half or so, are at best marketing bullshit charts. If you were talking about actual quality of watches, Rolex really shouldn’t be ahead of Omega.

Maybe not anymore, but I would say the Rolex 3135 was a better movement than the omega 1120 it competed with when that chart was produced.

The double-supported escapement plate of the 3135, for example, was only replicated when omega produced the 8500 series movements.

The 1120 was good, but the 3135 is better. The difference between both brands'current workhorse movements is far less clear imho.

Archer · Nov 7, 2019

Claven2
The double-supported escapement plate of the 3135, for example, was only replicated when omega produced the 8500 series movements.

😕

I think you mean the balance bridge. While it is theoretically an advantage to have a full balance bridge (spans full over the balance and is held with 2 screws) rather than the more common balance cock (cantilevered over the balance and has one screw), in practical terms it's pretty meaningless really.

There are many excellent movements that don't use a full bridge - movements that are far superior to the 3135. Of the features of the 3135, that would probably be the last I would pick as a standout.

Cheers, Al

Claven2 · Nov 7, 2019

Archer
😕

I think you mean the balance bridge. While it is theoretically an advantage to have a full balance bridge (spans full over the balance and is held with 2 screws) rather than the more common balance cock (cantilevered over the balance and has one screw), in practical terms it's pretty meaningless really.

There are many excellent movements that don't use a full bridge - movements that are far superior to the 3135. Of the features of the 3135, that would probably be the last I would pick as a standout.

Cheers, Al

Thanks Al, I picked this because I knew it was a difference that I have read many times is "better", and yes, I meant the balance bridge. Which i think is a bridge sitting over the escapement, but sorry for using the incorrect watchmaking term.

Nevertheless, I have yet to read any watchmaker claiming the 2892 and derivatives are superior to the venerable 3135.

That said, my current only rolex is a 1575 powered datejust and despite not having a quickest date has held up better than any of my eta-based watches. I know this sample size means nothing, but I have personally seen better performance from rolex movements than eta, though i much prefer omega designs aesthetically.

I have owned other rolexes, including a few 3135, but I am a buy, flip, buy kinda guy searching for the perfect collection blend. Impossible goal, but still fun.

Current favorite watch is a 2500-powered amp, despite it being inferior to later 8500 movements. The watch is a comfy stunner.

rainking · Nov 7, 2019

Meme-Dweller
I've had a similar experience with multiple SKX007/009. The 7S26 movement is rubbish. Lack of handwinding aside, I've managed to regulate a couple myself to around +3 s/d. But the problem is, even the slightest shock to the watch (against a table, door frame, etc) throws off the regulation. Even dropping the watch on a table 3 inches up throws it off. Something about that specific movement is rotten. No problems with something slightly higher up the chain like the 6R15

Obviously, it's not a G-Shock but come on! It's a freakin' diver! Should be as bulletproof as the fanboys claim it is.

I just got my Seiko SBDC051 with 6R15 movement back from the Seiko service center yesterday after I dropped it last year and jacked up the bezel, and I also wanted to make sure it wasn't damaged inside. After THREE months almost exactly, I get it back and it loses 90 seconds in three hours. And the new bezel was installed a click off of being aligned and seems to have more play than when I sent it in. Between this and my trilogy Railmaster ordeal recently, I am having some crap luck with watch service. SMFH, but what can you do except laugh? This Seiko losing time so quickly is a joke, though. It's like they didn't even bother to put it on the machine and check that it was operating within spec. Like, come on.

Claven2 · Nov 7, 2019

rainking
I just got my Sieko SBDC051 with 6R15 movement back from the Seiko service center yesterday after I dropped it last year and jacked up the bezel, and I also wanted to make sure it wasn't damaged inside. After THREE months almost exactly, I get it back and it loses 90 seconds in three hours. And the new bezel was installed a click off of being aligned and seems to have more play than when I sent it in. Between this and my trilogy Railmaster ordeal recently, I am having some crap luck with watch service. SMFH, but what can you do except laugh? This Seiko losing time so quickly is a joke, though. It's like they didn't even bother to put it on the machine and check that it was operating within spec. Like, come on.

Bum luck... maybe don't buy a lottery ticket this yr...

rainking · Nov 7, 2019

Claven2
Bum luck... maybe don't buy a lottery ticket this yr...

At the end of the day, it’s of no consequence. My RM is great now and I already sent an email to the person I dealt with at Seiko. I’ll have to send it back across the country but they should be able to rectify it quickly. I expect a turnaround within a couple weeks this time but we’ll see what I hear back. I doubt they’ll have to order parts this time which is always what causes the big delay in getting these things back. Was the same with my RM.

Lurk41 · Nov 8, 2019

jlam1127
I know Frederique Constant doesn't get a whole lotta love here, but I like their WorldTimer..... Also isn't their movement in house and not Chinese/Japanese?

The Manufacture line is in-house, others are Sellita-based.

I think they are about the same as Longines but offers slighlty less for the money. They have some nice watches. On the affordable ones, the Healey all look great and you have a model car in the box 😁

I think they are slowly making a name for themselves and they now want to be fully recognized thanks to their manufacture line. Also it seems it is the only fine watch brand that understood there is something great to do with whole smartwatch hype

noelekal · Nov 8, 2019

I like classic vintage Longines and don't care where my Longines watches are on the pecking order.

Quite a few watches on hand here, but this Longines with 30L movement knocks the socks off of everything else for great accuracy except perhaps the Omega Constellation 505 ... oh and the Speedmaster.

I like this one just 'cause. Longines 18kt gold case and 27M movement.

scv55 · Nov 10, 2019

I feel like this sort of thing is exactly the issue with the watch world today. "This is 'better' than that", "that isn't good value,""this will appreciate in value.." "those are way overpriced!" Buy what you like. There's not much else to it. When you watch Hodinkee's talking watches, almost without exception all the collectors on there simply pick up pieces they truly like and want - Seiko, Rolex, JLC, whatever.

I feel like those people who are constantly trying to prove why one brand is so much better than another likely have not been into watches for very long and have not owned something like a $200 Seiko or Timex.

Just my .02 😀

Comtaygious · Nov 10, 2019

Pyramid aside to answer OP question: Omega being an entry to Luxury brands isn't far off. I mean what other luxury brands offer entry level versions at Omega prices?

I haven't spent more than 4k on any Omega. I couldn't say that for the brands above it on pyramid. Even Zenith is tough to find many under 4 except Defy.

Desmodromic · Nov 10, 2019

scv55
I feel like this sort of thing is exactly the issue with the watch world today. "This is 'better' than that", "that isn't good value,""this will appreciate in value.." "those are way overpriced!" Buy what you like. There's not much else to it. When you watch Hodinkee's talking watches, almost without exception all the collectors on there simply pick up pieces they truly like and want - Seiko, Rolex, JLC, whatever.

I feel like those people who are constantly trying to prove why one brand is so much better than another likely have not been into watches for very long and have not owned something like a $200 Seiko or Timex.

Just my .02 😀

IMHO, the Internet in general, and Instagram in particular, has attracted a brand new type of enthusiast. One that is more explicitly tribal, more brand partisan. One that has a very shallow appreciation of horology. One that really doesn't care much about any watch other than the status it communicates.

My .02 is that these folks aren't long for being watch collectors/enthusiasts/fans, that their commitment to watches is as shallow as their knowledge.

Chef40 · Nov 10, 2019

jlam1127
I know Frederique Constant doesn't get a whole lotta love here, but I like their WorldTimer..... Also isn't their movement in house and not Chinese/Japanese?

i bought a worldtimer off ebay recently for £1500 and when i got it i found a receipt for £800. i phoned the shop on the receipt and the guy who sold it to me and paid £800 for it new in a special sale. i sent the watch back and got my money back

Desmodromic
IMHO, the Internet in general, and Instagram in particular, has attracted a brand new type of enthusiast. One that is more explicitly tribal, more brand partisan. One that has a very shallow appreciation of horology. One that really doesn't care much about any watch other than the status it communicates.

My .02 is that these folks aren't long for being watch collectors/enthusiasts/fans, that their commitment to watches is as shallow as their knowledge.

Chef40 · Nov 10, 2019

ive just bought a 1920s universal geneve and for a watch nearly 100 years old it keeps perfect time and they are not even on the list and with the likes of the tri- compax it should be

Spruce · Nov 10, 2019

Chef40
ive just bought a 1920s universal geneve and for a watch nearly 100 years old it keeps perfect time and they are not even on the list and with the likes of the tri- compax it should be

Sounds great. Photo?

Chef40 · Nov 10, 2019

Spruce
Sounds great. Photo?

SBS74 · Nov 11, 2019

Honestly I stopped looking after I saw Lange ranked below anyone. In answer tho to the original question, honestly I rate some Rolex higher then Omega, but I also rate some lower. For instance the Speedy to me is better then the Daytona (ie overrated) but the OP Rolex is superior to the Aqua Terra IMO. Of course throw in Grand Seiko and it gets messy

03Hemi · Nov 11, 2019

larryganz
Invicta are only good as gifts for non-watch people, or for people that like to blow things up with firecrackers.

larryganz
Sounds like a recent development, and not side by side with Invicta like on most cruise ships.

Yeah, we were on The Symphony of the Seas this summer and they very nice watch stores with Omegas, Rolex and just about everything else. The Invictas were sold in the lobby of the mall, but you could get a $2800 Invicta for only $78 bucks! Lol

Fabrice M · Nov 24, 2019

Grand Seiko and Tudor are missing. It’s very subjective and it’s someone’s opinion.

madjestikmoose · Nov 24, 2019

gbesq
Here you go:

Raymond Weil are Swiss!! And Omega in the same bracket as Bremont... pull the other one. And Panerai holding value?! 🤨