Omega movement

[vh_bu98]

If I were to purchase an Omega, which movement should I be looking for and which models would have it? I'm particually interested in the Seamaster series.

[SLRdude]

There are quite a few totally different watches in the Seamaster family.

You have the 300 Professional line, the AquaTerra line and the 600 professional line.

Within those categories you have some with time/date, some that are chronographs and some that are GMT models.

All in all, I can think of... 5 different movements or so.

Most of the Seamaster Professional 300 line (non chronograph) WAS powered by the Omega 1120.


The 1120 is based on the ETA 2892/A2 which is considered to be one of the most robust and reliable automatics ever produced, and many compare it with the Rolex 3135 from a quality and ruggedness perspective.

Some models that use that movement would be the classic 2254.50 and all the variations of it. (blue dial, America's Cup, Titanium etc)


That movement is also found in the Bond model.



The next one would be the Omega 2500, which is a co-axial version of the 1120 and it can be found in the Seamaster AquaTerra, Seamaster Professional Planet Ocean, and recently in all the new versions of the Seamaster Professional 300 models.




Next you have the Seamaster Professional Bond which is a modified 7750...


What else is there....

The Seamaster Professional 300 Chronograph and the AquaTerra Chronographs are powered by the Omega 33xx movements.


This column wheel was designed for Omega by F Piguet and it is considered one of the top 3 chronos along with El Primero and Rolex 4130.
About 5 years ago, some users experienced some problems with a chrono reset on those movements, and this situation was blown out of proportions by some (chuck maddox immediately comes to mind). Omega responded and extended the warranty on affected models and even fixed it at no charge when out of warranty. To my knowledge, this issue is now dead and it only affected the very early models.
My 3 years old AquaTerra chrono is powered by that movement and it is the most accurate mechanical I have ever owned. It is good to a few seconds per week, with daily chronograph usage.
Here is an example of a chronograph powered by the 33xx.

You already know my AT chrono, so I won't make you look at those pics again.
You can also find that in the Broad Arrow, among others.

The last one would be the co-axial version of the 33xx which can be found in the Planet Ocean Chronograph.



It is also found the in the DeVille Chronographs, among others.

Lastly, the Omega 1128 is the GMT movement, with independent hour hand.

It is basically the omega 1120 modified in house for the GMT complication.
Can be found in the GMT Seamaster 300.

Bottom line, all those are great watches with solid movements.
If it would be my money, I'd go for a Seamaster 300, either with sword hands or skeleton (bond) hands.
Why? That movement is bullet proof and very accurate, and it has been discontinued. Now is a good time to pick up a mint model, as I see that the prices on the used market are starting to climb. Their replacements are now co-axial and they cost upwards of 3k (MSRP), which is more than a thousand over the non co-axial and now defunct models.

I hope this helps.

[C.J.]

Hey, Chip..............


You da man

[mailman]

Originally Posted by C.J.

Hey, Chip..............


You da man

Yeah he is

[Letsgodiving]

Now that is what I call answering a question!

[Wasatch]

Awesome post, Chip!

[vh_bu98]

I was in Ben Bridge last night and the Seamasters have the new coaxial movement. I think the GMT was $3600 and the regular one was $3200. Is there quite an improvement with the coaxial to justify the new price? And if I were to purchase one outside of an AD, how would I know which movement it has?

[SLRdude]

Originally Posted by vh_bu98

I was in Ben Bridge last night and the Seamasters have the new coaxial movement. I think the GMT was $3600 and the regular one was $3200. Is there quite an improvement with the coaxial to justify the new price? And if I were to purchase one outside of an AD, how would I know which movement it has?

To the first question, I would answer NO. But that is just my humble opinion.
To the second question... all the co-ax models are marked as such, so that should be a good indication that it has the 2500c movement.

Or you can just call me!

[Lubrifar]

Chip:

A very thorough answer there!

How many jewels are there in the 1120 movement?

I'm interested in the SMP 300m Ti Chrono and realized I might be too late to find a NIB...well, at least from my two contacts. Is your AT 3301 or 3303?

[Perdu]

23 Jewels in the 1120. My 1128 is accurate to 4 seconds a month or there abouts - I'm coming to really appreciate how good this movement is.

[Perdu]

Originally Posted by vh_bu98

I was in Ben Bridge last night and the Seamasters have the new coaxial movement. I think the GMT was $3600 and the regular one was $3200. Is there quite an improvement with the coaxial to justify the new price? And if I were to purchase one outside of an AD, how would I know which movement it has?

Stick with an AD. I'll send you the name of one that will give you a good discount.

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Chip, that was an awesome overview!

This went straight into the "Omega" folder of my bookmarks!

[DSJ]

Great post, Chip!

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Originally Posted by SLRdude

(...)

(...)Why? That movement is bullet proof and very accurate, and it has been discontinued. Now is a good time to pick up a mint model, as I see that the prices on the used market are starting to climb.(...)

Chip, do you think Omega will alter the design of the SMP 300, black dial?

I hope not! It's such a beauty as it is!

[SLRdude]

Well Bo... for their own sake I hope that they don't.

I'd rather have them leave it just the way it is, since it is a great watch with plenty of fans in his current state.

Should they decide to go to the 2500c route like they did with the Bond (skeleton hands seamaster) I sure hope that they will keep the design intact.

I guess we will all know at Basel... Until then... we wait and hope that they are smart enough to not mess with one of the best divers out there!

[roadcarver]

Fantastic Chip!!!!!! I hear a sticky!!!!

[applebook]

If OMEGA changes the hands and markers on that black SMP, then they is fools@ I find the Bond hands and dial to be hideous.

The original Seamaster had the sword hands and wedge markers just like the 2254.

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Originally Posted by applebook

If OMEGA changes the hands and markers on that black SMP, then they is fools@ I find the Bond hands and dial to be hideous.

The original Seamaster had the sword hands and wedge markers just like the 2254.

I agree 100 %!

Problem is that Omega often changes design. Somehow there is a tendancy to spoil GOOD design in the watch industry in general, IMHO. I know that "good design" is a matter of personal taste and preference, but the classic SMP 300 with sword hands is SO classic that it just IS good design, imo.

[Andad]

Hey Chip,

Excellent information and great pix as always.

[vh_bu98]

Originally Posted by SLRdude

To the first question, I would answer NO. But that is just my humble opinion.
To the second question... all the co-ax models are marked as such, so that should be a good indication that it has the 2500c movement.

Or you can just call me!

I think I'm going to have to set aside my Omega wants. The wife just got a Rolex and we owe taxes this year.

[Perdu]

Originally Posted by SPACE-DWELLER

I agree 100 %!

Problem is that Omega often changes design. Somehow there is a tendancy to spoil GOOD design in the watch industry in general, IMHO. I know that "good design" is a matter of personal taste and preference, but the classic SMP 300 with sword hands is SO classic that it just IS good design, imo.

Ditto. They should not play around with those sword hands and over sized markers. That's a great thing about Rolex - they stick with their designs.

[JBat]

Originally Posted by C.J.

Hey, Chip..............


You da man

Our resident Omega expert!