hi,
Will share with you the little I know as I used to own 3 Omegas ( PO Chrono Co-Axial, Speedmaster Moonphase, Seamaster Professional Co-Axial) and 4 Rolexes (GMT II, Explorer II, Submariner, SeaDweller).
As your q was specifically abt Omegas, I'll go a bit into details on those Omegas I used to own:
Speedmaster Professional Moonphase Lemania 1866 Manual Wind- no change in Calibre for current Speedmaster but there is a recent Co-Axial version of Speedmaster
Seamaster Planet Ocean Co-Axial Chronograph Cal 3313 (FP1185 with Co-Axial escapement), latest model introduced has a fully in-house movt with Si escapement -Cal 9300
Seamaster Professional Chronometer Cal 2500C (ETA 2892-A2 with Co-Axial escapement), not sure if the Cal 8500 is used for the SMP but it is used for the latest PO Chronometer
The older PO with the FP1185 based Cal 3313 28,800 vph has an accuracy of about + 1-2 secs per day....excellent for a 100% mechanical. Some online posts mentioned some early issues with the Cal 3313 but mine work perfectly well until the PR was reduced after several years. I sold my orange bezel PO Chrono as the look was wearing thin on me. I have no experience with latest Cal 9300.
The Lemania Cal 1866 Omega Moonphase based on Nouvelle Lemania 1884, 21,600 vph, 48 hr PR. Beautifully rhodium finished hw movement. Accuracy was inconsistent deviating from +10 secs/day to +30secs/day. Start/stop/reset is smooth although a bit stiff to activate. Sold as the rate was too inconsistent and the black dial was more of dark grey... a deep jet black would have been much nicer. No experience with the Co-Axial version which is a replacement escapement not a whole new calibre.
Some entry level Omegas are still using ETA calibres with or without Co-Axial escapements. However Omega's Steven Urqhuart has declared that they will incorporate Co-Axials into every single model subsequently. The difficulty they face is to do so for the smaller sized calibers such as those for ladies models.
Some higher end Omega chrono models in the past used FP1185 architecture based calibers and Lemania 1861/1866/1873/321 instead of the Vj7750.
Subsequently Omega introduced the Co-Axials into the ETA & FP based calibers such as the 3313 which was a FP1185 architecture based chrono. The non CoAxial version was the 3303/3301.
The Omega Seamaster Professional Cal 2500C is basically a ETA 2892-A2 with a CoAxial escapement.
All the CoAxials are limited for Omega use only within the Swatch Group.
Starting with the Hour Vision project, the latest current 8500 and 9300 calibres were developed from the ground up incorporating the Co-Axial from the onset and not based a modification of existing calibers. This are definitely fully in-house and also considered 3rd generation Co-Axials. Unfortunately I have yet to have first hand experience with these new Cal 8500 (used in latest PO Chronometers) and Cal 9300 (used in PO Chronographs). Some horologists argue that the earlier FP architecture based Co-Axials could already be considered in-house movements as it was built by Omega using only the basic ETA/FP base plate architecture but with major component changes to improve amplitude, inertia, revolving mass, etc.
Omega is a very good manufacturer and came up with the first central tourbillon which cost 6 figures.
Current Omega range covers tourbillons, rattrapante, triple dates, annual calendars, GMTs, chronographs, day and day/dates, moonphase, yachting timers
Current Rolex range covers chronograph, GMT, day and day/dates, yachting timers
So who has a wider range ?
Market positioning, Rolex costs more than Omega although the gap is very fast narrowing.
In terms of re-sale Rolex has a slight advantage currently over Omega and is still easier to sell to both pawn shops, pre-owned shops.
Any error and correction is welcomed…
Hope this helps..
Hi All,
Since this topic talk about planet ocean, i have few inquiries, hopefully can get some sharing here in MWF's:
1) Is planet ocean using Omega in-house movement? or like some other brand using others manufacturer movement, e.g. ETA
2) Is Omega a good brand and good Watch maker?
3) How's Omega position in Watch making industry compare to Rolex & Panerai?
4) How's Omega re-sell value? would it be like Rolex & Panerai?
Thanks in Advance for the reply
