Omega 8500 Caliber putting some pressure on Rolex...

[Mthwatch]

The specs on the new 8500 movement from Omega are pretty amazing....

Double barrel design (DLC coated) with a 60 hour power reserve
Dual directional winding automatic
Free sprung balance
Full balance bridge
39 jewels
202 parts
COSC certification

It looks to me as though Omega bench marked the now 20 year old 3135 and just upped it everywhere that it could.

What do you guys think? Should Rolex be worried? Should they fight back with an update or reworking of their base calibers or do you think that they just don't care?

Personally, I was really shocked by the difference in the Omega 2500 caliber that was beating inside my Planet Ocean and the 3130 inside my Submariner (which should arrive early next week - the waiting is killing me). I think Omega is just catching up with Rolex in the 8500 caliber and that Rolex should feel no immediate threat. It will take some time for people to realize that Omega is quickly closing the gap in quality (and entry level price) with Rolex and I suspect Rolex will continue on its technological tear - namely using new materials in both their cases and movements. I think it could end up being a pretty interesting war in quality - and if the prices don't become too astronomical we could all be in for some pretty amazing watches in the next few years!