1861 movements will be replaced by the 3861 as they will not produce 2 manual movements

It’s still based off the 1873 Lemania

https://watchbase.com/lemania/caliber/1873

 

I wonder to what extent a new movement would need a full certification process. The 3861 looks, to my wholly non-expert eye, remarkably similar to the 1861, just with a new balance spring. Is it possible that Omega could basically demonstrate that the silicone balance spring meets it exceeds the performance of the previous version on all relevant tests, and therefore, the new movement doesn't need to go through the full spectrum of tests as a whole?

 

That’s what I was thinking. Is 1861 certified or was it 861?

 

New balance spring and coaxial escarpment

https://watchbase.com/omega/caliber/3861


As my post above all are based on the 1873 Lemania

https://watchbase.com/lemania/caliber/1873

 

Sorry, I forgot about the updated escapement. Thanks for the correction. Maybe the certification would need to be more involved.

 

You have made an assumption that the "anti-magnetic balance spring" equals a silicon balance spring, but if you read the information that you linked to, there is another option.

"In future, all mechanical watches for Swatch Group brands will feature antimagnetic properties, either with the silicon balance spring or the Nivachron balance spring, both patented inventions."

Not sure why you think they would not produce 2 manually wound movements at the same time. They already produce several manual wound movements based on the Lemania (1861, 1863, 1869 - not sure about the 1866 at this stage), and in the past have produced others based on the F. Piguet (3200, 3201, 3203) at the same time the Lemania movements were in production...

 

In the one watch, 50th anniversary

There will be another few threads about rumours of what movement will be in the Moon watch next year

 

So you really don't mean this then...

"1861 movements will be replaced by the 3861"

Fair enough then...

 

Yeah, that is just my assumption. If I remember correctly, Omega was one of the early pioneers on silicone balance springs (and they may have some associated patents), so it seemed logical to me that they would go that route, bring at the upper echelon of the Swatch Group. That being said, there are now more options, so they certainly aren't limited to just silicone. Either way, they add antimagnetic characteristics (and hopefully, a Master Chronometer certification) to the non-LE Speedmasters.

 

I think Omega's anti-magnetic marketing pitch will be less front and center if other new technology such as Tag's isograph balance spring proves to be effective. Please note: I am not comparing Omega to Tag from a brand or overall watch/quality perspective

 

indeed, Omega also manufactures the hand-wound 8511 powering the PM Deville Tresor range, including this year's red dialed 125th LE edition.

 

I was referring the manual wind chronograph movements...

 

Silicon...not silicone - there's a difference.

Omega is not in the upper echelon of the Swatch group really. There are several brands above Omega, and until fairly recently they were at the top of the "regular" brands, but indeed Swatch has been positioning the brand higher than it was in the past.

I suppose it really depends on what escapement is used - IMO if they make all future Speedmasters co-axial (something they have said previously they wouldn't do) then it would make sense to have the silicon balance spring. If they don't make all future Speedmaster co-axial, then I think you will see the Nivachron balance spring implemented instead.

Personally I would like nothing more than to see a Swiss lever escapement watch with the silicon balance spring...but I don't think it will happen from Omega.

Cheers, Al

 

This is what prompted my 8511 reference comment, but I do think your point that Omega would have no issues in running simultaneous production for more than one manual wind chronograph is clearly more relevant to the Speedmaster discussion.

 

This whole thread is about chronographs...and yes they already have done it, so I see no reason they would not again in the future.

 

Not to forget the (new) 321...

 

If I wanted a non LE Speedmaster pro. Would you buy current, wait for new model or even try to get the 321?

 

Autocorrect is the bane of my existence.

 

I'm in that same position. I've been on the verge of finally pulling the trigger on one, but I have decided to wait to see if there is some announcement about the antimagnetic balance spring or summer other update the the standard, non-LE model. If the price doesn't get too obnoxious, I'd love a NASA-certified, Master Chronometer Speedmaster. If that's not in the cards, then it'll be the current 1861 model for me. I have no desire for a bloody, painful fight to snag whatever the 321 comes in.