Hi. My first post here so please be gentle...
I have an Omega split second chronograph from the early 2000s. This has the 7750 based Omega 3600 movement. When you pull out the crown to adjust the hands there is about 2 minutes of play in both hour and second hands. This means the watch can be set fast or slow or in between with no great certainty. Also the watch minute hand is slow to start moving but OK after a minute or two.

None of this feels normal but before I consign it to Omega for repair is this a known issue with the watch or movement ? Thanks in advance.
Lawrence

 

I would have a local, competent watch maker take a look at it. If he can't service a 7750 based movement then he should quit. I see no need to send this one to Omega. Have it looked at and you'll be good to go for years.

 

Are you sure there are two minutes of play in the seconds hand? Two complete revolutions of the seconds hand?

Assuming you mean 2 seconds of play in the seconds hand and 2 minutes of play in the minute hand, then this is not completely unusual. When the watch is hacked the balance is stopped, but the wheel train can still move if forces are put in it, so the backlash in the train can sometimes be visible. If the driver cannon pinion is a little tight, it could be causing the second hand to move around as forces are put on the train in the forwards/backwards directions.

The fact that the minute hand does not move right away is completely normal on this movement. To prevent this from happening, when you set the time move the minute hand past the minute you want to set it to, then back up to that minute, and press the crown in - the minute hand will then already have the backlash taken up and should start moving immediately.

Not sure if you are joking here or you just didn't read the original post very closely...this is not a run of the mill 7750. At the very least I would want to make sure whoever tackles this can get parts, and has some experience working on split seconds chronographs. Omega's policy is to have these sent back to the factory in most cases...from the technical guide for the Cal. 3600...

"Due to the complexity of the product and the need for special tools, work on the watch is strictly forbidden (exception: rate adjustments). Watches showing signs of a technical defect must be returned to the Omega after-sales service department. The only exception to this is service centers with specialists trained by Omega, and in possession of the special tools required."

Cheers, Al

 

Thanks both. Sorry my bad typing. It's the minute and hour hands that have this play. They both move together effectively like backlash you get on other mechanical movements. I had a suspicion that the sluggish minute hand was a feature of the movement as it keeps superb time with good reserve once its going properly. If the backlash is also just down to the movement I can live with it. My IWC Flieger has this to a small extent and other more prosaic watches with 7750 movements seem prone to it.

I'm aware the watch may have to back to Omega hence my original question and would appreciate further clarification before I start spending GBP. regards. Lawrence

 

When was the watch last serviced?

 

Not sure and maybe not since new. I'm aware it may need a service but don't want to spend the cash without good reason.

 

Rattrapante watches take far greater care in maintenance and servicing than your typical chrono; I'd send it back to Omega every five years on the dot or I'd look into flipping the watch.

This isn't a Steinhart or Hamilton with a base 7750, it's an Omega with a split second chrono. Servicing a watch after 5-10 years is never a "waste" of money.


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Thanks. I'll be off to my local Omega store tomorrow to book it in. The watch is a keeper as there aren't too many around. I've read the history of the watch on the net so know the reasons for its rarity. Everything else works really well including the split second part of the chrono.