[Showdown] Omega v Rolex

Riviera Paradise

Well I have never seen a Rolex vs Omega discussion before on the OF...so I am thrilled to be posting on this topic for the first time😀

Replying to the OP @watchos: if you own the AT I would go with the new Railmaster as it is a more casual watch. The Explorer is a lovely watch and I adore mine, but it certainly has a more polished finished and will attract more attention. If you wear the AT on a bracelet I would think it would be pretty redundant vs the Explorer and I do think the AT has a better finished diall.

Tim from WatchBox put in quite an entertaining video yesterday with some fun comments on the Omega vs Rolex discussion...starts at 22m:15s

watchos

Really cool collection and video recommendation. Although I recently bought the AT bracelet I usually wear it on a NATO or rubber strap. The one thing I like about the Railmaster and Explorer is the brushed look. The AT on a bracelet is very shinny, imo.

Exiztence

. All the Omega watches are too big and thick, I really like PO but even 42 is big, 2nd thing I dislike is the outer AR, I understand that it's there to provide better readability but it's not made to last and once you pick some hairlines it looks just bad that along with poorer value retention makes me unable to find anything in current collection to desire. I feel like Rolexes are made in more appropriate and comfortable sizes, without gimmicky outer AR and retain their value better.

Meme-Dweller

On paper, the Omega wins but for me, Rolex is the clear winner. The build quality/tolerances of a modern Rolex bracelet, the click of the bezel on the ball-bearing setup, the thinness of everything combined with that level of rigidity, the level of accuracy/regulation of their movements..... you'd have to hold a Rolex in one hand and an Omega in another to understand what I'm on about. It's inexplicable.

watchos

Omega Railsmaster vs Rolex Explorer

I know the topic of Omega vs Rolex has been rehashed so many times. My online research usually gave an edge to Rolex for having in house movements vs ETAs. Now that Omega has had their new Co-axial Metas certified calibers for a couple of years, I wonder if the Rolex still has any type of edge.

Here's some basic stats for the Railmaster and Explorer:

Case diameter: 40 | 39 mm
Antimagnetic: Yes | No
Water Resistant: 15 | 10 Bar
Anti-shock: Not mentioned | Yes
Caliber: 8806 | 3112
Caliber manufacturer: Both in house
COSC: Yes for both.

I've always been completely against Rolex, not so much for their quality but because of the brand itself. For some reason, it just feels that the brand rubs off in the wrong way to certain people who wear it. Don't want to start a flame war, but rather understand the why behind "Rolex is a Rolex". For the first time ever, I am considering getting one and hence wanted to get your perspectives related to these two watches.

I chose the above two models since they seem to be very similar in size, style, and technical qualities.

Here's some comments I've seen around the inter-webs(not paraphrased) in favor of Rolex:

- Rolex uses traditional materials on a proven caliber for this watch.
- Rolex manufacturing and quality control are second to none.
- Rolex watches tend to increase in value over time. Or least not decrease.
- Rolex doesn't experiment as much with their movements and hence very dependable and easily serviced.
- Omega experiments a bit more with the calibers and had initial quality problems with their Co-axial models when they first came out(not the related to the Metas ones).
- Rolex used a special type of steel that makes it last longer and more resistant to the elements.

I've had a Speedmaster and Aquaterra for almost a year and both have been doing great. Not sure what else Rolex could offer.

Only thing about the Explorer si like is the dial. Much cleaner and simpler.

Source: Pictures and stats taken from the Omega and Rolex websites.

Riviera Paradise

I prefer my AT on a leather strap as well, never liked the AT bracelet very much. With the shiny SS bracelet I think it really over emphasized the black dial and bumblebee hand too much for me.

Ref my collection I have been thinking of selling the Orbis HV and Breitling and buying the new Zenith Defy Classic:

(I think this photo was from monochrome watches..not sure)

As my collection has grown, I have found that the Breitling and Orbis HV get at most a few days of wrist time every year. Still I will have to wait to see live the Orbis HV next to the Zenith to see which blue dial wins! My perception is that the Zenith would just be more of an all rounder.
Perhaps this Zenith might also enter your Railmaster, Explorer selection list!😀

karalhoin

I have one of each and they're both very well built, but in my case the Rolex is better regulated out of factory, being almost a Quartz (-0.2s/day). I get +1.2s/day with the Co-axial 9300, which is still good. In overall build quality I don't think the difference is huge, but a few aspects can be nicer on Rolex (plus one extra year of warranty, 4 vs 5).

Omega totally destroys Rolex in presentation/boxes. The cases are great, while the Rolex ones look like something out of a happy meal 😜

watchos

Omega Railsmaster vs Rolex Explorer

I know the topic of Omega vs Rolex has been rehashed so many times. My online research usually gave an edge to Rolex for having in house movements vs ETAs. Now that Omega has had their new Co-axial Metas certified calibers for a couple of years, I wonder if the Rolex still has any type of edge.

Here's some basic stats for the Railmaster and Explorer:

Case diameter: 40 | 39 mm
Antimagnetic: Yes | No
Water Resistant: 15 | 10 Bar
Anti-shock: Not mentioned | Yes
Caliber: 8806 | 3112
Caliber manufacturer: Both in house
COSC: Yes for both.

I've always been completely against Rolex, not so much for their quality but because of the brand itself. For some reason, it just feels that the brand rubs off in the wrong way to certain people who wear it. Don't want to start a flame war, but rather understand the why behind "Rolex is a Rolex". For the first time ever, I am considering getting one and hence wanted to get your perspectives related to these two watches.

I chose the above two models since they seem to be very similar in size, style, and technical qualities.

Here's some comments I've seen around the inter-webs(not paraphrased) in favor of Rolex:

- Rolex uses traditional materials on a proven caliber for this watch.
- Rolex manufacturing and quality control are second to none.
- Rolex watches tend to increase in value over time. Or least not decrease.
- Rolex doesn't experiment as much with their movements and hence very dependable and easily serviced.
- Omega experiments a bit more with the calibers and had initial quality problems with their Co-axial models when they first came out(not the related to the Metas ones).
- Rolex used a special type of steel that makes it last longer and more resistant to the elements.

I've had a Speedmaster and Aquaterra for almost a year and both have been doing great. Not sure what else Rolex could offer.

Only thing about the Explorer si like is the dial. Much cleaner and simpler.

Source: Pictures and stats taken from the Omega and Rolex websites.

Nobel Prize

The coaxial launch was a mess, the 8500 movements where great....if you don't mind the size of the watches that encase them. No doubt the coaxial movement got a great marketing push, and even more the master coaxial movements which is one of the things that attracted me to my AT...but omega lost face with some of the 2500 A, B, C issues and definitely lost face with the puck sizing of the PO line on the 8500...and I say this without malice. My AT is still one of my favorites, and the 2500 PO iteration is an aesthetically perfect line.

watchos

What exactly happened? I've read a lot of the disaster but not sure how bad it could have gone. I too love my AT with it's new master co-axial, but didn't know there was a dark past in that type of movement. I presume this happened pre-Metas cert.

OmegaRookie

Boy, my poor 42mm PO with 8500 movement is getting beat up here. I love mine.