Omega (also) has a new balance spring!!!

[el-piloto]

Hi everybody !

Now THIS is yet another piece of BIG news for the guys at Bienne!!!

Omega has produced and introduced their new (and very own) balance-sprind
as well in BaselWorld 2008!!!

It is based (like the PP one) on Silicon!!!



And here are some details directly quoted from the Omega Press Texts:

Silicon is non-magnetic so the performance of the Si 14 balance-spring is
not disturbed by exposure to magnetic objects. This physical property of
silicon allows watches with the Si 14 balance-spring to deliver significantly
better chronometric performance than balance-springs made of traditional
materials.

While the performance of mechanical watches tends to deviate over time
as a result of small everyday shocks, these disturbances have very little
effect on Si 14 silicon balance-springs.

There is substantial freedom in the fabrication of balance-springs made of
silicon which allows the Si 14’s geometry to be modified for optimal
isochronism, the quality of oscillations occurring in equal periods of time.
This isochronous quality reduces the amount of deviation in the watch’s
accuracy.

The Si 14 silicon balance-springs are being introduced in the De Ville
Hour Vision Annual Calendar watch and in the Seamaster Aqua Terra
Ladies’ OMEGA Co-Axial Collection.

The “Si 14” identification marks engraved on the balance arm and on the
back of the watchcase serve as a reminder that these are among the
finest, most advanced, most accurate mechanical timepieces in the world.

The new Aqua Terra Ladies' models (the mechanical ones) feature the new
and smaller in-house cal. 8520/8521. They are also based on last year's
8500/8501 movts.
They are...

the first Co-Axial calibre designed especially for smaller
watches. The new Aqua Terra Ladies’ mechanical watches are also among
the first watches to be equipped with a silicon balance spring, a feature
which offers unprecedented chronometric performance in an
industrially-produced mechanical wristwatch.

(Quoted from Omega's Press Texts as well)

Here's a pic of the new (and smaller 8520):

Photo copyright by Harry of TimeZone!

Note that the new movement now again has a ball-bearing for the
automatic rotor (contrary to the 8500/8501) that had a "plain bearing"!

Wow... with a new (and very own) balance spring, Omega is reeeeeally
climbing the ladder up fast!!!

Amazing work!!! It won't be too long now and Omega might really get back
to where they were in their best decades... the 1940s, 1950s & 1960s!!!

The road is long, but they sure have taken the right direction to reach their
goal!!!
Glad to be with them too...

Wow...

[Tools]

It looks like they are serious about increasing their status and staking out a position as a top watch brand in the luxury marketplace..

Now if they would just stop coming out with a "Limited Edition" for everything under the sun; maybe we could focus on some standards..

[mdx77]

Originally Posted by Tools

.....Now if they would just stop coming out with a "Limited Edition" for everything under the sun; maybe we could focus on some standards..

x2

[el-piloto]

Hi there

Turned out quite long... I hope you won't mind the read...

I hear you guys about the Limited Editions...
Said the same thing too... (still I'm hooked about the "Alaska Edition" though!).

Limited Editions or no... the Speedy is one of the most "iconic" watches
ever; it is part of the horological heritage... so somehow I cannot "fault" them
for some (or even most?) of the things they do with it...

In general I agree... but take that new "Alaska Edition" for example. It has a
real "historical" raison d'être... it was a re-development on the classic Speedy
they started in the early 1970s,and it never made it out of its prototype
status then... So even as a Limited Edition I'm intrigued to see this specific
"variation" being put into a semi-production run!!!

And let us also not forget that fortunately there's more behind Omega in the
past few years than "just" simple & ongoing LEs. They have pursued an immense
amount of innovation, both aesthetically (weather we like some of the
aesthetics or not) and technically. And it is that technical aspect that
absolutely intrigues me!

It is not by simple chance that it was Rolex, Patek and Omega that came
together a few years ago in a common project to develop a new hair/balance
spring based on silicon. And this research has born fruits to all 3 companies,
even if Rolex has chosen not to use a balance spring made of that material
and based on that research & common project (yet).

Patek has, and it seems it is working for them... and that must mean a lot!

And now Omega comes out with their own part of it... I mean, guys... the
"own" balance spring... this is not just a little snippet of publicity. This IS very
important. And company that has the ability to be part of such a development
(and can actually then put the results to good use on their own) is way
above "simple publicity"!

With all its draw-backs, Omega is really pushing its way up on the technical
field, and I find this is wonderful. Omega has one of the richest historical
backgrounds of ALL watch-companies out there, and I just can't help but
admire what they have been doing over the past years...

The 8500 was really just the start of it all... and now their own balance
spring! I really think this IS important!!!

But I may belong to a minority (here and elsewhere), that tends to value the
"insides" of a watch (providing there is a value there) more than its looks or
design!

(Oh incidentally, this is exactly what drew me to Rolex in the first place too:
the movements and all the technical developments that "tick" in the hidden world
INSIDE their watches...!!!)

So, all in all... my humble opinion would be something like this: we are
witnessing a remarkable transformation of a company that once used to be
really "legendary"!
And that transformation heads Omega back to the right direction.
With these developments there's more "substance" to Omega again...!
And it is this "inner" substance that counts.

It might be a long way to go, but if it goes on like this, then I think they'll
reach their past glory of the 40s, 50s and 60s and might even top that!

It is just good to know that the company that produced true horological
legends, like the 30T2, the 321 & 861 movements is back following their
roots again!
I for one can't wait for their upcoming cal. 9xxx very very "own" chronograph
in one or two years!

OK guys... I'm sorry for this looooooooooooooooong post!!! I hope you don't
mind it too much...

In any case... take care everybody...
and don't or me... ok?

[mdx77]

I prefer this one.......

[Paulie]

So it's a flat spring, no Over-coil?

And the Ladies 8520, if those are 4mm screws, that's one tiny movement!

At least Watch Time will have plenty of new material to talk about this year!!!

[el-piloto]

Originally Posted by mdx77

I prefer this one.......

Thanks mate! I indeed much prefer to be shot this way!!!

Originally Posted by Paulie

So it's a flat spring, no Over-coil?

Nope, it is indeed flat. They haven't used a Breguet one for ages. But
who knows... maybe that'll come too one of these days (years)(BaselWorlds)!

Originally Posted by Paulie

And the Ladies 8520, if those are 4mm screws, that's one tiny movement!

Yes I thought so too... and it has to be, if it fits in those tiny ladies'
models...

Originally Posted by Paulie

At least Watch Time will have plenty of new material to talk about this year!!!

Yes... you can say that aloud!!! And we'll all have plenty of neat stuff
to dig in and read over the next months...

everybody!

[DSJ]

I'm telling you, Omega is becoming a force to be reckoned with. I realized something was up when Swatch Group repositioned the brand from Tier 2 to Tier 1 in their portfolio.

[el-piloto]

Originally Posted by DSJ

I'm telling you, Omega is becoming a force to be reckoned with. I realized something was up when Swatch Group repositioned the brand from Tier 2 to Tier 1 in their portfolio.

x2
Yes, you're absolutely right I think!
The next few years will really be very interesting!!

[Perdu]

I read about it and wondered why no one had commented. I don't know enough to judge it against the parachrom spring. I believe with the financial power of swatch behind it, Omega is gunning for the Rolex market. Their glory days will return (and we'll pay for it).

[jasonbellevue]

Originally Posted by DSJ

I'm telling you, Omega is becoming a force to be reckoned with. I realized something was up when Swatch Group repositioned the brand from Tier 2 to Tier 1 in their portfolio.

x3

[timackerman]

Originally Posted by DSJ

I'm telling you, Omega is becoming a force to be reckoned with. I realized something was up when Swatch Group repositioned the brand from Tier 2 to Tier 1 in their portfolio.

And by the looks of Basel this year, it is going well so far!!

Originally Posted by Tools

It looks like they are serious about increasing their status and staking out a position as a top watch brand in the lusulry marketplace..

Now if they would just stop coming out with a "Limited Edition" for everything under the sun; maybe we could focus on some standards..

Agreed. I think one reason why I loke Rolex so much is that you can look at a 30 year old Submariner and it looks pretty similar to my Sub ND COSC! A classic design never goes out of style

[bcacncnc]

Anyone with more news on the 8500 movement since this thread was originally launched?

[Thai]

Originally Posted by bcacncnc

Anyone with more news on the 8500 movement since this thread was originally launched?

Here ya go: http://forums.watchuseek.com/showthr...highlight=8500

[newmontsg]

how is it compared to milgauss in resisting magnets?

[Thai]

Silicon is supposedly strong and completely anti-magnetic. The only downfall to it when it was first introduced was temperature sensitivity, but i am sure that this has been figured out by Omega/Rolex/Patek.

As for the whole watch, i am not sure. Movement wise, i would put the Omega 8500 (and related calibers) up against any Rolex movement...it is that good from all the reviews that i have read on it.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by newmontsg

how is it compared to milgauss in resisting magnets?

The Omega cannot compare to the Milgauss.. It is not about the hairspring.... the Parachrom hairspring is non-magnetic...

.......but the Milgauss is made with non ferrous metals and special alloys, plus it has a faraday cage to divert magnetic fields.........It is a special watch..... Omega has nothing comparable.......

[Thai]

Originally Posted by Tools

The Omega cannot compare to the Milgauss.. It is not about the hairspring.... the Parachrom hairspring is non-magnetic...

.......but the Milgauss is made with non ferrous metals and special alloys, plus it has a faraday cage to divert magnetic fields.........It is a special watch..... Omega has nothing comparable.......

How about IWC?? Don't they make something that is also anti-magnetic too? How does IWC compare to Milgauss?

[tomee]

Originally Posted by Thai

How about IWC?? Don't they make something that is also anti-magnetic too? How does IWC compare to Milgauss?

IWC's version is the Ingeniuer

[bcacncnc]

Does anyone have info on the 8520 caliber used in the ladies Aqua Terra range? How does it differ from the 8500?

[C. Davidson]

Originally Posted by bcacncnc

Does anyone have info on the 8520 caliber used in the ladies Aqua Terra range? How does it differ from the 8500?

8520 Calibre

• 166 components
• 5.30mm = height
• 20mm (9''') = diameter
• Jewels = 28
• PR= > 50 hours
• Silicon "Si 14" balance-spring
• NIVACHOC =shock absorber
• Free sprung balance
• Barrel with DLC
• Co-Axial Escapement with 3 levels
• Chronometer

8500 Calibre

• 202 components
• 5.50 mm= height
• 29.00mm (13''')= diameter
• Jewels= 39
• PR= > 60 hours
• NIVACHOC shock absorber
• Free sprung balance
• 2 Barrels with DLC
• Co-Axial Excapement with 3 levels
• Time zone function
• Chronometer

[bcacncnc]

Thanks Chris... do you also know the BPH?

[newmontsg]

i read that all omega watches are antimagnetic with respect to the ISO 764 standard.

[C. Davidson]

Originally Posted by bcacncnc

Thanks Chris... do you also know the BPH?

25,200 on both. All co-axials are currently on this rate.

[Thai]

That lady coaxial movement looks like a winner! Too bad the "timezone" feature is absent on it.

[luk90]

Hi to all,

sorry for my english, but I`m a german watchmaker an realy stunned. This is a fake of a Omega. The fake is based on an Eta 2892A2 or based on an fake of the Eta movemend. The real Omega 8500 looks like the picture below.

Greez