I was wondering wether the gold variants are made of solid gold or if they are hollowed out? The reason is:
In the periodic table ferrum has the density of 7,87 where as aurum has 19,32. That makes a factor 2,45 difference. Lets say the contemporary Speed Pro steel is 138g compared to the Speed Pro yellow gold which is 224g. If you account some 30g weight of the movement and crystal (estimated, I have no idea if that is close to reality). That would mean the steel case with bracelet is 108g, the gold variant around 194g. That would make a difference of factor 1,80 instead of 2,45. A loss of gold of approx. 25%.
Ok, my math is poor and I could be wrong about the weight of the movement and related parts, but I think you can see the point. Maybe someone knows more about how these gold variants are fabricated. And the weigth of a 3681 movement....
My white gold 43mm Aqua Terra weighs around 280g fully linked. You definitely know it’s there when you’re wearing it. The platinum 300m heritage diver is around 320g, I think, and there might be a solid gold chronoscope that’s about that heavy too.
Someday I want to try on the full platinum Royal Oak Offshore that weighs over a pound. Ludicrous.
Modern precious metal Omegas are solid gold or platinum, not hollow. But remember: 18 karat, not pure gold; likewise 950 platinum. So for gold you need to calculate 75% there, and then try to sort what the other 25 is. White gold, in my experience, actually tends to weigh more than pure 24k gold would, presumably because some of what makes the gold the color it is comes from platinum-group alloys that are denser than gold itself.
I also suspect the movement and sapphire weigh a bit more than you think, but I’m not sure.
I’ve never seen it in the metal, though I’ve seen the titanium one, which is visually identical to it, pretty much. It’s a great looking watch, and I have to assume it’s a real mind bender to pick it up and feel more than 300 grams packed into such a small object.
It’s probably the only Omega I’d consider trading my AT for, but even though its production numbers are nearly 3x higher than the AT (161 vs 61) it seems to be just as rare: only ever seen one come up for sale preowned. (In Japan, and I think it did sell after many months.) Not an easy one to come by unless you buy new from Omega—it says no longer available but it does become available every once in a while as they presumably continue to trickle out the limited edition one piece at a time over several years.
That said, as I’ve mentioned before, I’d be wary of buying it new for more than 60,000 USD, especially if you think you might ever want to sell it. The preowned one in Japan was listed in the 40s, I want to say, and it sat for a very very long time, even though it was probably the only one available in the entire world. I did ask the seller if they’d drop down into the low 30s, which is what I’d say it’s really worth, and they declined to do so.
If you end up with one of these, assume two things: it will make you very happy AND you will be stuck with it forever unless you’re prepared to take an unconscionable loss.
N NetanelThis is quite possibly the greatest, most well rounded response I’ve ever received on such an obscure subject, . I read it to my friend a few times, and he was like “Jeez, that man knows what he’s talking about.”
Ever since I’ve come across your AT, I’ve been trying to scratch the density itch, and this might be it (although I’m still patiently waiting for you to part with your watch, haha).
Besides for that, I’d love to set up a phone call, and talk watches with you if possible. I feel like we’d have a lot to discuss. let me know if you’re interested😀
You’re absolutely right—357. (I was confusing the LE production number with the other white gold AT that comes on a strap.)
Appreciate your kind words. This is my favorite little corner of Modern Omegaland. And much as I’d enjoy chatting on the phone, I have a pretty rigid self-imposed “policy” about not letting my few online activities (as boring and harmless as they are) spill over into other areas. It’s probably a silly and pointless safety measure but it keeps me sane. 😀
The SS planet oceans have solid bracelets. AFAIK the solid gold ones do not have that hence the weight being similar.