Potential 168.024

ErichKeane · Aug 20, 2025

Archer
Omega requires the beat error in any of the 3 positions tested, to be 0.8 ms or less. So this is a fair bit over that. In addition, as already noted, the lift angle used was not correct, and therefore the amplitude is actually lower than what is shown.

If this is what their watchmaker considers okay, I would get it serviced by someone else rather than have it adjusted by them...

Yep, exactly this. This watch needs a SERVICE not a regulation (based on the amplitude). I don't know what he means by 'safe range', beat error can't cause damage or anything, so there isn't a 'safe' range, more an 'acceptable' range.

I realize it is vintage/omega says 0.8ms, but even that is high from a good watchmaker. I'd be shocked if Archer let any but the most beat up watches out of his shop with a 0.8ms beat error 😀

iosist · Aug 25, 2025

If anyone was on the edge of their seat about this, the watch was sold to someone else while I was trying to grasp the implications of the timegrapher issues that were raised in this thread. They sold it with the Constellation bracelet and got a better price than they had offered me anyway, so I can understand.

If any other newbies come to this thread in a similar position, the answer was that the movement probably didn't have any inherent or permanent issues, but it still would have needed a proper service after purchase. A trusted local watchmaker I've been chatting with told me that this is really the case for "99%" of supposedly serviced vintage watches sold online (I figure the other 1% must be OF Private Sales 😜).

ecarpino · Aug 26, 2025

iosist
If anyone was on the edge of their seat about this, the watch was sold to someone else while I was trying to grasp the implications of the timegrapher issues that were raised in this thread. They sold it with the Constellation bracelet and got a better price than they had offered me anyway, so I can understand.

If any other newbies come to this thread in a similar position, the answer was that the movement probably didn't have any inherent or permanent issues, but it still would have needed a proper service after purchase. A trusted local watchmaker I've been chatting with told me that this is really the case for "99%" of supposedly serviced vintage watches sold online (I figure the other 1% must be OF Private Sales 😜).

You've already got all the answers previously, but basically the amplitude is your biggest tell. Even if you can easily adjust beat error and rate, the amplitude is quite low for a movement like this and that means it most likely needs a service. Getting it only regulated would be like sweeping dust under the sofa..

And yes, unfortunately almost everywhere, watches are sold as "not in need of a service", "running great", just because they are regulated whereas they would actually need a service. It's the reality of a world which is still ages behind in terms of transparency.

Every chronometer watch claimed as being in great shape should come with a timegrapher report (with 5 positions results), but almost nobody is doing this.

Dan S · Aug 26, 2025

iosist
If anyone was on the edge of their seat about this, the watch was sold to someone else while I was trying to grasp the implications of the timegrapher issues that were raised in this thread. They sold it with the Constellation bracelet and got a better price than they had offered me anyway, so I can understand.

Nothing to worry about, this is a common reference and there are always a bunch of them for sale.

Potential 168.024

ErichKeane

iosist

ecarpino

Dan S

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