New PO LM + titanium with Cal 8500 announced

[psv]

Now this is the type of Planet Ocean I've been waiting for. Finally a PO with Cal 8500.

http://oceanictime.blogspot.com/2011...-titanium.html

[Cru Jones]

plus 45.5....

nice lume.

[dsio]

They don't have the TI version of the mesh or bracelet made yet which is understandable but no doubt they will come soon.

What this watch is, is a direct shot at the Sub-C to follow up the LM. Better movement, better case, better dial, better bezel, better lume, better WR. Everything about this was designed specifically to take down the Sub-C, and I bet the pricing will come in on par with, or just below the Sub-C to reinforce that fact.

Now that Rolex has made its play with the Sub-C They're probably not going to change it for another 10 years, and Omega's current market strategy of moving upmarket means they're going to hammer the sub every year until its replaced again.

[psv]

Originally Posted by dsio

They don't have the TI version of the mesh or bracelet made yet which is understandable but no doubt they will come soon.

What this watch is, is a direct shot at the Sub-C to follow up the LM. Better movement, better case, better dial, better bezel, better lume, better WR. Everything about this was designed specifically to take down the Sub-C, and I bet the pricing will come in on par with, or just below the Sub-C to reinforce that fact.

Now that Rolex has made its play with the Sub-C They're probably not going to change it for another 10 years, and Omega's current market strategy of moving upmarket means they're going to hammer the sub every year until its replaced again.

I'm not sure you can make such a statement until this watch is delivered in quantities and has been thoroughly vetted. Additionally, there are several articles out there questioning the technical greatness of the Cal 8500 so I wouldn't call it a "better" movement the 3135 per se.

Regardless, I'm all for competition so I'm glad that Omega is stepping up. It will never de-thrown the Rolex Sub though. An Omega will never be a Rolex.

[dsio]

Originally Posted by psv

An Omega will never be a Rolex.

lol, well ask my mate's 18k Pie-Pan wearing grandfather and he'll tell you Rolex is what you buy if you can't afford an Omega. Perception varies with time my friend!

[mondodec]

While I have seen several somewhat simplistic articles jibing at the 8500, I have yet to find any piece that offers a negative critique on the basis of horology and engineering.

Perhaps you can post the urls of these articles, so we can assess them for their technical bona fides?

Cheers

Desmond

Originally Posted by psv

I'm not sure you can make such a statement until this watch is delivered in quantities and has been thoroughly vetted. Additionally, there are several articles out there questioning the technical greatness of the Cal 8500 so I wouldn't call it a "better" movement the 3135 per se.

Regardless, I'm all for competition so I'm glad that Omega is stepping up. It will never de-thrown the Rolex Sub though. An Omega will never be a Rolex.

[psv]

Originally Posted by mondodec

While I have seen several somewhat simplistic articles jibing at the 8500, I have yet to find any piece that offers a negative critique on the basis of horology and engineering.

Perhaps you can post the urls of these articles, so we can assess them for their technical bona fides?

Cheers

Desmond

Here is one to start with http://www.luxurytyme.com/movement/index.html

[Ken Cox]

Originally Posted by psv

Here is one to start with http://www.luxurytyme.com/movement/index.html

The author of the article, above, seems to have some technical knowledge, but he also has a clear bias and agenda.

Too bad: I'd really hoped to read a more informative article rather than an editorial opinion.

[mondodec]

The Holbrook article is well recognised as opinion and not expert commentary, of which he is entitled to express. The have been numerous articles in the professional press that have fairly and impartially examined the 8500 series, without the huff and puff spawned by blind loyalty to one brand or another, and they have generally lauded its design and features. Go look for one that doesn't.

Alluding to evidence that is not there and then waving the Holbrook article in the air as technical support for your view is a pretty cheap trick, as is your riposte to demand counter evidence relating to the 8500. You made several inflammatory statements, and if you can't put up, then you should shut up.

Every movement design represents a series of technical compromises, and that includes Rolex. I greatly admire Rolex movements, and, of course, they contain compromises too, but this is the OMEGA forum and perhaps one should consider carefully before blowing too much hyperbole out of one's fundamental orifice if you don't wish to be labelled a troll.

Cheers

Desmond

Originally Posted by psv

Here is one to start with http://www.luxurytyme.com/movement/index.html

[salem65]

why titanium? I hope they still offer it in stainless.

[psv]

Originally Posted by salem65

why titanium? I hope they still offer it in stainless.

Harder. Lighter. Not shiny. What is not to like?

[salem65]

Originally Posted by psv

Harder. Lighter. Not shiny. What is not to like?

Lighter and matte are the parts I don't like

[Watch Professor]

Ti scratches more easily.

[TheDude]

Originally Posted by Watch Professor

Ti scratches more easily.

That depends. Citizen uses a treatment called Duratect on its titanium watches and it's tougher than any other watch I own. It really is incredibly tough.

I like the all blue actually - nice, and very "Omega".

[RanHong]

Originally Posted by Watch Professor

Ti scratches more easily.

Really? I always thought titanium is harder and therefore more scratch resistant.
Here is a quote from timezone.com:
"Titanium is a light metal, relatively scratch-resistant, and non-magnetic. Overall, titanium is superior to stainless steel (SS) in terms of density and corrosion resistance, especially in salt water. Its yield strength, tensile strength, and thermal conductivity are better than those of many SS, but not all. Pure titanium is difficult and expensive to produce. This difficult production may also explain why titanium has failed unpredictably and is no longer use in some aerospace applications. Titanium is also harder to work with than SS, thus adding to the overall cost in a watch."

[Demosthene]

Originally Posted by RanHong

Really? I always thought titanium is harder and therefore more scratch resistant.

Titanium tends to be a fair bit softer then high end steel.
Pure titanium has a hardness of around 90 Vickers
In comparison Rolex 904L steel has a rating of 490 Vickers and sapphire crystal has a rating of 2,500 Vickers.

Omega is probably using a treated titanium alloy which will increase the hardness but I doubt it will be better then 904L steel.

[jagwap]

Originally Posted by Demosthene

Titanium tends to be a fair bit softer then high end steel.
Pure titanium has a hardness of around 90 Vickers
In comparison Rolex 904L steel has a rating of 490 Vickers and sapphire crystal has a rating of 2,500 Vickers.

Omega is probably using a treated titanium alloy which will increase the hardness but I doubt it will be better then 904L steel.

That's odd, because the Rockwell hardness of 904L is 70-90, and for titanium it varies a lot depending on the alloy, up to 40

Also 316L steel used in most watches is harder than the much lauded 904L. 904L is a specialist steel for not being affected chemical reactions, so the 904L in Rolexes is more for cosmetic reasons than toughness.

[garGARgar]

Like! Just not the blue band.

[dieseldragon]

that article does not actually say what is made from Ti, the case in that foto looks plenty shiny. Might just be the case back or the bezel surround or something..

[SUPERDOC]

Is it just me or is it Blue?

[dieseldragon]

Originally Posted by SUPERDOC

Is it just me or is it Blue?

Looks very dark blue to me too.

[jmsrolls]

Jorge Merino over on TZ says it is blue.

I'm not into Ti but tungsten might make it interesting.

Fr. John†

[gettocard]

45.50 ??? No thanks,I'm almost 38,I belong to the 42mm limit generation.

[Michael M.]

Love it, the band is awesome!

[salem65]

I didn't even notice it was blue. I really hope they still have a black option or ideally the orange. I have never been a fan of blue watches, but the PO is the next watch on my list to get, and a 45.5 LiquidMetal with an 8500 is perfect.

[psv]

If it is only in blue it is a real bummer.

I heard they can't fit the Cal8500 in the 42mm PO case. I agree, a black 42mm model would have been much preferred IMPO.

[Ultraman]

Originally Posted by psv

If it is only in blue it is a real bummer.

I heard they can't fit the Cal8500 in the 42mm PO case. I agree, a black 42mm model would have been much preferred IMPO.

Why can't they fit it to a 42mm PO case? They managed to fit it in the new Aqua Terra?

[dsio]

Originally Posted by Ultraman

Why can't they fit it to a 42mm PO case? They managed to fit it in the new Aqua Terra?

Aqua Terra isn't a 600M WR watch that's built like a nuclear submariner though.

[TheDude]

Originally Posted by psv

If it is only in blue it is a real bummer.

I heard they can't fit the Cal8500 in the 42mm PO case. I agree, a black 42mm model would have been much preferred IMPO.

That sounds strange since it's in the 38.5mm AT case as well as the 41.5mm AT.

Is the shape of the case to blame?

[dsio]

Originally Posted by TheDude

That sounds strange since it's in the 38.5mm AT case as well as the 41.5mm AT.

Is the shape of the case to blame?

The water resistance of the PO makes it thicker, the caseback is thick as hell, the crystal is thick, and the 8500 is a tall movement IIRC.