Omega Co-Axial Chronometer Questions...

[Dwyer Castor]

Just stopped by an Omega dealer today. I've heard of the Co-Axial movements. However, I've never seem a report regarding the movement.
Just what is different about the escapement/ balance, & what is meant by "Co-Axial" ? Anyone own one & what ya think?

[Otis]

Not sure exactly, but it involves a new type of balance that reduces friction in the escapement, and it's also more shock-resistant, which reduces the variation over time.
I'm sure someone more knowldegeable will be along soon!

I'm not too sure that it justifies the large price hike though, but at least it's a valid reason, rather than 'just because we can!'

[roadcarver]

I'm not well verse on movements, but I came across this review about co-axial escapements from TZ.

http://www.timezone.com/library/tmac...87724805691831

[Dwyer Castor]

Thanks for the information & link. I got it now !
It really is a new escapement after 200+ years...
It also has a free sprung balance, just like Rolex has had for many years.
However, IMO, Rolex has no worries...

[Otis]

Originally Posted by Dwyer Castor

Thanks for the information & link. I got it now !
It really is a new escapement after 200+ years...
It also has a free sprung balance, just like Rolex has had for many years.
However, IMO, Rolex has no worries...

No problems mate
Now, what exactly is a free sprung balance?

Originally Posted by Otis

No problems mate
Now, what exactly is a free sprung balance?

A balance that does not have a regulator on it. In this picture the regulator is on the right side, right at the end of the balance cock. The hairspring goes through it and the regulator is used to lengthen or shorten the effective spring length to adjust rate. A free sprung balance does not have this feature (sorry I don't have a picture of that or I would post it).

[Otis]

Thanks Al

[padi56]

For twenty plus years George Daniels had attempted to introduce his escapement to the Swiss industry.Omega,Patek,Piguet,Zenith and even Rolex had prototypes in 1986 and 1989. There are many reasons why these companies entertained Daniels and many reasons why they decided to pass on the escapement. It seems to me that in the main it was an issue of expense to retool and develop the escapement for already built series and that it was an unknown quantity, which was made in one-offs for the connoisseur,to try.Now the escapement needed to be oiled correctly to work 100% and many of the watch industry did not follow Daniels instructions to the letter,most did not follow his advice for the VPH (vibrations per hour).Now when Patek decided to try his escapement three wristwatch sized prototypes were made. The drawings were discussed and Daniels saw one big stumbling block, the proportion of the extra driving wheel. Patek rejected his notion, even in the face of Daniels working,the Patek provided movement prototype.By 1982 his prototype was cased and dialled from the Patek factory. He says he gave the watch daily use for twelve years, when the self winding mechanism failed.Properly form lack of maintenance It was not serviced to test the effectiveness of the escapement over a ten year period. The Daniels escapement functioned perfectly.The Patek analysis was quite critical and the prime fault was in the gears, which Daniels had mentioned at the beginning of the project.


The problems Omega recently faced are different. Omega did have tolerance problems (the impulse jewel on the lever would sometimes hit the crossings of the escape wheel). They also had a problem with an incorrect setting on the lubrication machine used during assembly, which led to over oiling the escape wheel on some movements. In use, the oil would creep down to the pinion and onto the intermediate wheel.All these problems have been addressed,In both cases neither Patek nor Omega would heed the advice of George Daniels, who proved his escapements worked and worked well.

So why is the Daniels escapement not used in many of the high end
watch houses.Well IMO I imagine it may have been as simple as "Not Swiss Made." or may turn out to be too complicated to make on a mass production scale or re-tool machines in-house?.But now Omega for one, plus a few more have made it work to a very high standard indeed.

Now today when you think of the humble wrist watch,basically
changing little since John Harrison's days.With tweaks to the basic escapement over 250 years.I wonder what would have happened if Daniels was alive in Harrison's days.Well for me Daniels escapement must be one of the horological breakthroughs of the century.But the mighty Swiss took little notice of his new idea.You must ask yourself why IMHO the main reason not Swiss idea.But lets remember 30 plus years ago when the Japanese,took on the Swiss.And almost destroyed the complete Swiss watch industry with the heretic quartz.And in many cases these Japanese mechanical watches,were equal in most cases with better accuracy, and product finish to equal any.


But the mighty Swiss did little in reply,a bit like the once powerful British motor bike industry now gone,now dominated by the Japanese.But the swiss industry survived but horological speaking
has not done a lot over the past 20 odd years.Must admit some of
the watches being produced today.Are bloody awful and ugly some seems to me have lost the plot completely.With innovations like lets put four Toubillons in a wrist watch and other totally IMO unneeded complications, which only the chosen few could ever afford.

Now these complication why, I suppose horological speaking are a
watchmakers art.In real terms add little to the watch,except perhaps owning something that costs mega bucks which is fine.But don't think these types of watches are owned by real watch enthusiasts.Now with Rolex, I admire Hans a great man who ceased every opportunity,every new idea,and acquired it for his firm.Now the name Rolex must be the on top of the pile.But over the many years I have loved all watches I sometimes ask myself do some wear a watch, or a just the name.

I hope George Daniels escapement will find its way into the Swiss
watch industry.And tweaked over the next 200 years again IMO the Daniels escapement horological speaking is far to important to let slip by.Myself have a Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra co-axial
movement its a very accurate watch



Normal.

[JJ Irani]

AMAZING!! Thanks, Padi....and all of the above from a man who just underwent a major surgery less than a week ago!!!

[mailman]

The knowledge master is back

[mike]

Fantastic info padi!