Speedmaster pushers: how stiff?

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buramu

·Aug 20, 2020

Using my Speedy Pro for timing engine bursts before entering Earth’s atmosphere it struck me that the tactile quality of the start/stop pusher on my watch is not particularly nice.

I have to push really hard before the chrono eventually engages. It’s a big, sudden clunk rather than a gratifying mechanical click. Hard to describe in words I guess, but I wouldn’t really describe it as pleasant - even though the stopwatch itself works reliably enough.

This is my first chronograph, so I can’t really compare it to anything. How stiff is the pusher action on the Speedmaster Pro supposed to be?

 

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blufinz52

·Aug 20, 2020·Hears dead people, not watch rotors.

The Speedmaster wasn't designed for girly-men.

 

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Dan S

·Aug 20, 2020

 

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AAAKK

·Aug 20, 2020

Did you not get the accompanying Omega start-stop tool?

 

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buramu

·Aug 20, 2020

So it’s as expected then? Good enough for me.

🙄

 

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time flies

·Aug 20, 2020

Bouncing off the atmosphere...that is a first world problem. The most fun fourteen seconds of your life.

have fun.
kfw

 

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SpeedyPhill

·Aug 20, 2020

no idea... but if a pusher fails ( even falls off ), it tends to be the lower pusher ! 👎

 

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slwoodster

·Aug 20, 2020

Truth. it's a stiff one.

 

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rob#1

·Aug 20, 2020

From my recollection, and I’m happy to be corrected if I’m wrong, the operation of the pushers on a 321 movement (as used by most moon astronauts) is smoother than with the 861/1861 movement.

 

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gdupree

·Aug 20, 2020

Answering this question depends on what you think really hard is.

My start/stop pusher actuates at approx 4lbs of force, and the reset pusher at near 3.25 lbs. Both actuate with what I would describe by a clean 'snap'.

Edit: I should add that the tested Speedmaster is a 145.022-74. But I don't see why a modern one should be any different.

 

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g-boac

·Aug 20, 2020

The "crisp clunk" and "clean snap" both described by @buramu and @gdupree are exactly how I'd describe engaging the chronograph and resetting the chronograph on my Ω861 and Ω1861. This "snap" is from engaging the cam and shuttle mechanism. And it also does indeed take some force to overcome - it isn't like pressing a key on a keyboard or a pusher on a quartz watch, this is a mechanical action. Note that from an operator's standpoint, you want some resistance to overcome so that you're not inadvertently starting, stopping, or resetting your chronograph when you don't want to just by reaching for or bumping your watch.

In contrast, starting or stopping the chronograph on my Ω321s is a much smoother action, but is still unmistakably mechanical (again, compared to a pusher on a Timex or the rubber "POWER" button on a remote control, for example). The reset action feels identical between a 321 and the later calibres, but it should be since the reset action is the same.

So while all this is subjective, I'd say that the way you described operating the chronograph, is about how I would describe it if I were asked!

 

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Marsimaxam

·Aug 20, 2020

The pushers do require a bit of effort. If you want a buttery, soft and easy push experience... try an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore, but it's a costly E ticket.

 

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Iceter

·Aug 20, 2020

slwoodster

Truth. it's a stiff one.

That’s what she said.

Seriously, though, I worried about the effort it took to actuate the pushers on my Moon Watch until I got my PO chronograph. It’s just as hard to push as the Speedmaster.

 

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u35rm8

·Aug 20, 2020

I had wondered the same thing with my FOIS but I was expecting too much from a mechanical watch.

 

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buramu

·Aug 21, 2020

Thanks for chiming in. Sounds like there’s nothing to “worry” about and mine works as to be expected 😀

 

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u35rm8

·Aug 21, 2020

buramu

Thanks for chiming in. Sounds like there’s nothing to “worry” about and mine works as to be expected 😀

I’d say so, I have wondered if it would get easier to push over time though

 

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Bp1000

·Aug 21, 2020

I’d rather it be that way.

Accidentally resetting the chrono whilst it’s running wouldn’t be good.

Compared to other chronographs I’ve used I don’t recall if being any less desirable of a click. Not unless you get into some patek and vacheron chronos that probably have angled teeth and shock absorbent mechanical couplings.

 

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M'Bob

·Aug 21, 2020

Very hard to quantify this. Go to an Omega store, grab a few models to try. If they feel close to yours, you’re okay. If yours is particularly hard to engage, you may have a problem.

 

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Archer

·Aug 21, 2020·Omega Qualified Watchmaker

SpeedyPhill

no idea... but if a pusher fails ( even falls off ), it tends to be the lower pusher ! 👎

Since the pushers are identical in every way between the top and bottom,. I'm not sure this has any credence.

 

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Archer

·Aug 21, 2020·Omega Qualified Watchmaker

rob#1

From my recollection, and I’m happy to be corrected if I’m wrong, the operation of the pushers on a 321 movement (as used by most moon astronauts) is smoother than with the 861/1861 movement.

What some call "smoother" I'll call mushy or "less distinct". When you are trying to accuractely time something, being "sharp" is a good thing.