Newbie question about watch timing and accuracy: Constellation Calibre 8700

Posts
8
Likes
1
Hi all! I’m new to owning an omega watch. An anniversary gift from 2022 in Europe. Constellation with Co-Axial Master Chronometer and Calibre 8700.

I don’t wear it everyday. Mostly for work or occasions and I take it off overnight when sleeping, showering, or during exercises. I think I generally take good care of it as I do with most jewelry items.. a few days ago I was helping my husband with muscle massage with a Theragun operating at 40Hz frequency and 16mm oscillation for about 15-20s. I didn’t realize I was wearing my omega watch until I was done operating the massage device and really regretted doing so since I learned the vibration could damage the motor. Since then I did some research and wanted to see if my timepiece is still fine and accurate.

I downloaded a clock sync app and timed it for the first time - once over about 6 hours during normal wrist wear and once last night with it dial up resting in a drawer for about 10 hours. Both times come down to about ~4-5s slower per day. I read this Calibre /Motor specs 0-+5s so -5spd is kinda bad. I also read this helpful article below but since both days and different positions resulted in the similar 5 seconds slower, should I be concerned or send it in early for service? Did I do timing correctly? Fyi I didn’t wind the watch just normal wear for two days.

Thanks for any advice you can offer!



 
Posts
5,210
Likes
47,584
Firstly, congratulations on owning such a beautiful watch!

My initial advice would be to stretch your timekeeping observations over a period of days -- let's say up to a week -- before coming to a conclusion on how your watch may be performing. My experience has been that on some days a watch seems out of spec, but over the longer-term, it is working as expected. Wearing the watch while holding a theragun may not be the best idea, but I can't imagine doing that would cause permanent damage.
 
Posts
8
Likes
1
Firstly, congratulations on owning such a beautiful watch!

My initial advice would be to stretch your timekeeping observations over a period of days -- let's say up to a week -- before coming to a conclusion on how your watch may be performing. My experience has been that on some days a watch seems out of spec, but over the longer-term, it is working as expected. Wearing the watch while holding a theragun may not be the best idea, but I can't imagine doing that would cause permanent damage.
Thank you! Are you suggesting timing the watch over a longer period of time - like a week to calculate the seconds per day deviation?
 
Posts
5,162
Likes
23,659
O Ovmm
Thank you! Are you suggesting timing the watch over a longer period of time - like a week to calculate the seconds per day deviation?
if you really want to do a test you could do a 6 day test. First day set the time, wind the watch fully, let it rest dial up for 24h, check the gain/loss (I use watchcheck app for Android) and repeat the next 5 days in the other Cosc positions. The average will tell you whether it runs to COSC/Metas spec.
 
Posts
8
Likes
1
if you really want to do a test you could do a 6 day test. First day set the time, wind the watch fully, let it rest dial up for 24h, check the gain/loss (I use watchcheck app for Android) and repeat the next 5 days in the other Cosc positions. The average will tell you whether it runs to COSC/Metas spec.
Thanks!

If the average is still 4-5 seconds slower per day, would you suggest it’s a service/regulation worthy issue?
 
Posts
5,162
Likes
23,659
O Ovmm
Thanks!

If the average is still 4-5 seconds slower per day, would you suggest it’s a service/regulation worthy issue?
If so that looks like to be out of Metals spec so I would send it in for regulation/service. Is there factory warranty applicable?
 
Posts
8
Likes
1
If so that looks like to be out of Metals spec so I would send it in for regulation/service. Is there factory warranty applicable?
Yes, it should have 5 year warranty and it’s year 3. I may wait to inspect closer to the 5 year mark as I heard a service on small issues may result in long delays and sometimes worse issues :/ any advice?

Also when I try winding the watch crown forward it stops pretty quickly. It’s a self winding watch but I thought I should be able to wind as well… should it feel that stiff? Don’t want to break the spring to wind too strongly.
 
Posts
5,162
Likes
23,659
Maybe first do the test to see if it really is out of spec.

Winding an automatic won't cause the spring to break, it's strange it stops when winding manually so maybe stop by your nearest OB/AD to see what they say.
 
Posts
8
Likes
1
Maybe first do the test to see if it really is out of spec.

Winding an automatic won't cause the spring to break, it's strange it stops when winding manually so maybe stop by your nearest OB/AD to see what they say.
I visited an OB - they simply wind it using a bit more strength and it works fine now 😝 I guess I was too afraid to turn it. It is on the stiffer side though they said.

Still timing the accuracy everyday— been about-5~-6spd across two days in 24hr intervals. I wear it during the day and rest it dial up overnight. I wind it 30-40 rounds before putting it away. My plan is to keep doing this for about a week and see how the accuracy deviates. If consistently -5spd I may live with it until closer to 4-5 year warranty limit time; if it worsens significantly I’ll send it in for service. As it’s a pretty new watch occasionally worn not sure I want to get it open just yet 🙁

Would love to hear your opinion and thoughts! 🫶
 
Posts
5,162
Likes
23,659
O Ovmm
I visited an OB - they simply wind it using a bit more strength and it works fine now 😝 I guess I was too afraid to turn it. It is on the stiffer side though they said.

Still timing the accuracy everyday— been about-5~-6spd across two days in 24hr intervals. I wear it during the day and rest it dial up overnight. I wind it 30-40 rounds before putting it away. My plan is to keep doing this for about a week and see how the accuracy deviates. If consistently -5spd I may live with it until closer to 4-5 year warranty limit time; if it worsens significantly I’ll send it in for service. As it’s a pretty new watch occasionally worn not sure I want to get it open just yet 🙁

Would love to hear your opinion and thoughts! 🫶
The watchmaker at my local AD regulated my NOS (7 years old) Speedmaster cal 1861 as it was running +10s to +2s, took him 10 min max. Yours still has warranty but I think the watchmaker at your OB should be able to also do it on the spot instead of sending it to a service center.
 
Posts
8
Likes
1
The watchmaker at my local AD regulated my NOS (7 years old) Speedmaster cal 1861 as it was running +10s to +2s, took him 10 min max. Yours still has warranty but I think the watchmaker at your OB should be able to also do it on the spot instead of sending it to a service center.
hmm my local omega boutique doesn’t seem to have this service and they mentioned sending it in from their store would go to Seattle service center and can taken 4-5 months … if i send it in myself it can take 2 months, a little shorter.. seems like a big effort and may cause other issues I’m afraid of 🙁

How do I find authorized service centers?
 
Posts
5,162
Likes
23,659
O Ovmm
hmm my local omega boutique doesn’t seem to have this service and they mentioned sending it in from their store would go to Seattle service center and can taken 4-5 months … if i send it in myself it can take 2 months, a little shorter.. seems like a big effort and may cause other issues I’m afraid of 🙁

How do I find authorized service centers?
I only know how to find OB/AD with possibilities for servicing (via filters you can drill down the stores);
https://www.omegawatches.com/en-us/store
 
Posts
8
Likes
1
I only know how to find OB/AD with possibilities for servicing (via filters you can drill down the stores);
https://www.omegawatches.com/en-us/store
Yeah I did that. The boutique I went to has service center listed on this site but they said they can’t perform regulating services. Just battery and straps
 
Posts
27
Likes
67
There's probably nothing wrong with your watch. At least not from the vibration -- I doubt it. More severe shocks (like playing golf or tennis) are more risky.
If the deviation bothers you, send it in -- if you have the patience. That way, they can also check if the winding resistance is ok. The latter would concern me more. If your AD doesn't have a watchmaker (which they clearly haven't), I wouldn't trust their judgement.