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dro57 · 5 July 2011, 03:50 AM

Does anyone know if the recent production of AT's with the cal. 8500 are equipped with the new silicon balance spring? A local major AD told me the one she was selling had it, but another major distributor told me they are not out yet. Upon examining the balance wheel/spring through the exhibition back, I noted the balance wheel was black, but how can one tell for sure it's the silicon spring? Any help would be appreciated.

Dob · 5 July 2011, 08:55 AM

My understanding is that the newer one do have the Si balance. When the these models first came out, it was only the ladies version (why, I have no idea) which had it. Any current new model AT should have it. It is hard to tell as the old ones had a black balance as well, it was just not marked Si so many thought it was the Si balance when they first came out. I think the silicon balance should have an Si marking on it that can be seen with the naked eye when the watch is not running.

dro57 · 5 July 2011, 11:17 AM

Thanks for the info. I did notice a black balance wheel, but I couldn't tell if there was an "Si" logo on it. I'm hoping the price difference between the older cal.8500 and the new one with the Si Balance Wheel won't be too much. What concerned me is I'm hearing any watch with the new balance wheel/spring is going to have a 4 year warranty. My local AD was claiming her AT had the new Si spring, but it only had a 3 year warranty tag....hmmmm. My suspicions were raised when I saw that. I'll be contact an AD on the east coast about seeing if his inventory of AT's have the new Si spring.

Dob · 5 July 2011, 08:41 PM

My pleasure.

PHH · 12 August 2011, 01:56 PM

I've just taken delivery of a brand new AT8500 from an AD. It was specially ordered so I'm guessing it's a pretty current model.

I think there may be some confusion between the wheel and spring in this thread. Mine has a black wheel but a clearly metallic (and incredibly tiny when seen in real life) spring which is only just visible at the centre of the wheel. The spring makes the wheel look enormous in comparison and there is no way the naked eye would be able to pick up any markings on it.

Images online suggest that wheels with the Si spring will have that marked on one of the spokes but mine just has the Omega logo.

My guess is that this watch at least has the 'old' spring. I'm not complaining though - beautiful watch!

dro57 · 12 August 2011, 04:20 PM

Unless it comes with a 4 year warranty and you can see, "Si14" marked on the balance wheel, it doesn't have the silicon spring. My AD said none of the new AT are coming equipped per his price listing.

UCrazyKid · 14 August 2011, 02:42 PM

My understanding was that only the annual calendar movement had the Si spring.

Edit: here we go, from Omega website.

All Co-Axial calibres equipped with silicon balance springs

The Co-Axial calibres currently equipped with silicon balance springs are the ladies’ calibres 8520, 8521 (which are featured in the Ladymatic line) and 8421 and the gentlemen’s calibres 8601 and 8611. This list will be extended in 2011 to cover additional calibres.

Watches with calibre 8520
Watches with calibre 8521
Watches with calibre 8421
Watches with calibre 8601
Watches with calibre 8611

5 July 2011, 03:50 AM	#1
dro57 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Las Vegas, NV Watch: Waiting for new PO Posts: 124	Aqua Terra cal.8500 & new Silicon Balance Spring Does anyone know if the recent production of AT's with the cal. 8500 are equipped with the new silicon balance spring? A local major AD told me the one she was selling had it, but another major distributor told me they are not out yet. Upon examining the balance wheel/spring through the exhibition back, I noted the balance wheel was black, but how can one tell for sure it's the silicon spring? Any help would be appreciated.

5 July 2011, 08:55 AM	#2
Dob Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Miami Posts: 359	My understanding is that the newer one do have the Si balance. When the these models first came out, it was only the ladies version (why, I have no idea) which had it. Any current new model AT should have it. It is hard to tell as the old ones had a black balance as well, it was just not marked Si so many thought it was the Si balance when they first came out. I think the silicon balance should have an Si marking on it that can be seen with the naked eye when the watch is not running.

5 July 2011, 11:17 AM	#3
dro57 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Las Vegas, NV Watch: Waiting for new PO Posts: 124	Thanks for the info. I did notice a black balance wheel, but I couldn't tell if there was an "Si" logo on it. I'm hoping the price difference between the older cal.8500 and the new one with the Si Balance Wheel won't be too much. What concerned me is I'm hearing any watch with the new balance wheel/spring is going to have a 4 year warranty. My local AD was claiming her AT had the new Si spring, but it only had a 3 year warranty tag....hmmmm. My suspicions were raised when I saw that. I'll be contact an AD on the east coast about seeing if his inventory of AT's have the new Si spring.

5 July 2011, 08:41 PM	#4
Dob Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Miami Posts: 359	My pleasure.

12 August 2011, 01:56 PM	#5
PHH "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: New Zealand Posts: 1	I've just taken delivery of a brand new AT8500 from an AD. It was specially ordered so I'm guessing it's a pretty current model. I think there may be some confusion between the wheel and spring in this thread. Mine has a black wheel but a clearly metallic (and incredibly tiny when seen in real life) spring which is only just visible at the centre of the wheel. The spring makes the wheel look enormous in comparison and there is no way the naked eye would be able to pick up any markings on it. Images online suggest that wheels with the Si spring will have that marked on one of the spokes but mine just has the Omega logo. My guess is that this watch at least has the 'old' spring. I'm not complaining though - beautiful watch!

12 August 2011, 04:20 PM	#6
dro57 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Las Vegas, NV Watch: Waiting for new PO Posts: 124	Unless it comes with a 4 year warranty and you can see, "Si14" marked on the balance wheel, it doesn't have the silicon spring. My AD said none of the new AT are coming equipped per his price listing.

14 August 2011, 02:42 PM	#7
UCrazyKid "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: California Posts: 6	My understanding was that only the annual calendar movement had the Si spring. Edit: here we go, from Omega website. All Co-Axial calibres equipped with silicon balance springs The Co-Axial calibres currently equipped with silicon balance springs are the ladies’ calibres 8520, 8521 (which are featured in the Ladymatic line) and 8421 and the gentlemen’s calibres 8601 and 8611. This list will be extended in 2011 to cover additional calibres. Watches with calibre 8520 Watches with calibre 8521 Watches with calibre 8421 Watches with calibre 8601 Watches with calibre 8611

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