New Omega owner - disappointed

[zhangster]

I recently acquired a brand new Seamaster. It is a beautiful watch to be sure. But after 3 days of use and in comparison with my Rolex Submariner I am a bit dismayed at the disparity in quality. To wit:

I compare my watches to a cheap Citizen that has atomic accuracy. The Omega is off by about +5 sec per day, whereas my Rolex sub is less than +1 sec per day. So much for the "master chronometer" certification.

When I shake the watch I can feel and hear the half-circle weight spinning. Perhaps some people appreciate this, but I can only describe the vibration I feel in my palm as cheap and coarse. The Rolex on the other hand is very quiet. I cannot hear or feel anything.

I still like the Seamaster but I did not expect such a difference between an Omega and a Rolex.

[Lesnerelli23]

Obviously this is a subjective matter but I have read that the reason you can feel the rotor moving is because of the ceramic bearings it uses. Pros - lifespan, Cons - having that "cheaper" feel... Hopefully I won't be disappointed by the Speedy I'm expecting soon :/

[brandrea]

You need to compare your Omega to the 32 series Rolex movements

[SPMN]

+5 seconds/day is within METAS standards, so no issue there from a technical standpoint. You may not like it, but there's nothing "wrong" with it. I would just suggest holding onto it for awhile and seeing if it gets more accurate as time goes by.

As for the rotor: Do you feel or hear anything while wearing it? Are you shaking it to wind it, or are you just playing around with your new watch? If you're just playing around with it, you should know there's nothing "wrong" with it, and you'll never hear or feel that "cheap" rotor feeling ever again. I had to take mine off to test it, heard and felt what you're describing, and put it back on my wrist. I'll probably never experience that again, as it's not a normal practice for me to wind a watch.

[Ravager135]

I own a few Rolex and Omega watches. Omega just doesn't have the feel that Rolex does. To be fair, few brands do. I think Omega has really come close with their latest pieces in the Seamaster 300 series. I just pulled the trigger on one and am impressed. The largest area for me that Omega still lags far behind is their bracelets. They feel more akin to the older Rolex bracelets than the newest ones.

[Tools]

Have it regulated, no need to be disappointed about something that is fully adjustable.

[zhangster]

First thank you all for your responses. They have a calming effect on me.

SPMN, +5 second is right at the edge of the "master chronometer". Nothing wrong with it. I just wish it would have been closer to the 0 than the +5 edge.

I feel the vibration when I shake the watch, not when I wear it.

[texasmade]

Originally Posted by Ravager135

I own a few Rolex and Omega watches. Omega just doesn't have the feel that Rolex does. To be fair, few brands do. I think Omega has really come close with their latest pieces in the Seamaster 300 series. I just pulled the trigger on one and am impressed. The largest area for me that Omega still lags far behind is their bracelets. They feel more akin to the older Rolex bracelets than the newest ones.

I always said that one thing I like about Omega that Rolex doesn't do is the ability to accessorize your watch. If you don't like the bracelet, there's the rubber strap option. If you don't like that, you can get leather straps. You can even fit other bracelets for certain watches.

[herts9]

5 seconds is nothing worthy of being disappointed over

I'm sure there are PLENTY of fresh BLROs out there that are in the same boat

[Ravager135]

Originally Posted by texasmade

I always said that one thing I like about Omega that Rolex doesn't do is the ability to accessorize your watch. If you don't like the bracelet, there's the rubber strap option. If you don't like that, you can get leather straps. You can even fit other bracelets for certain watches.

Agreed. I don't think Omega makes bad bracelets either. It's just that Rolex literally makes the best bracelets on the market. I mean they rival the haute horology brands like AP and PP. I actually think Breitling makes the next nicest bracelet in the price range comparatively speaking. Most other similar brands like IWC and Panerai come on straps and thus there isn't much for comparison.

The case, dial, bezel, movement of the Seamaster Diver 300 is on par with Rolex quality if you ask me. It's just that bracelet that is lagging. That's a tall order for any brand.

[JohnGingerwood]

Include the fact the SMP is less than half the price and you can get one by tomorrow.

[BradSomrak]

Originally Posted by Ravager135

The case, dial, bezel, movement of the Seamaster Diver 300 is on par with Rolex quality if you ask me. It's just that bracelet that is lagging. That's a tall order for any brand.

All true. The Seamaster on the rubber strap is a much “better” watch, aesthetically, at least, than on the steel bracelet. And that is because all bracelets in the sub-15k price point are compared directly to Rolex.

[texasmade]

I agree that the bracelet needs updating. I have the 2220.80 (Casino Royale) version and I normally wear it on a strap now.

I’ve seen pictures of the the 41mm Seamaster on an older style bracelet more similar to the Speedmaster Pro, and the watch looks much better on that bracelet.

[WAK4]

Originally Posted by zhangster

.

When I shake the watch I can feel and hear the half-circle weight spinning. Perhaps some people appreciate this, but I can only describe the vibration I feel in my palm as cheap and coarse. The Rolex on the other hand is very quiet. I cannot hear or feel anything.

.

Better stay away from Patek then

[mmaggi]

You're entitled to your opinion and it's your money. But I think you're splitting hairs. Omega makes outstanding watches that are comparable to Rolex.

[1William]

I own a Sea Master 300 and a Rolex Submariner-C ND 114060. Both are great watches for what they are and depending on the categories you use to measure them you have some wins for each. I would catch a breath on the timing issue as you are within specs and the watch is new. Give it some wear and see if it does not get better. I have found with my Omega watches, over the years, do better when worn as opposed to being wound and left in a watch box or on a winder. I also would do you timing over a week and not a day to get a better example of how it is doing. I am a huge Rolex fan and the Submariner is where I started and will finish but the Sea Master 300, for the money, is a better watch in my opinion. It does not have the crown but it also does not cost 10k. Enjoy your watch.

[winst]

I think you definitely need to give it a little more time - accuracy could improve after a few more weeks wear.

[macrowatch]

Yes, Rolex Reigns king in subtle and non obvious ways.

The good news is that at least you didn’t buy a PP 5167 only to feel cheap about the rotor noise the watch makes!

[enjoythemusic]

OP, what are the price differences for your comparo? Obviously the Omega can be re-regulated if you want her more accurate. Rotor noise is a product of the design that adds durability over quieter rotor designs.

[dchang81]

If you're that bothered by +5 you need to get quartz watches.

[Nodzex]

I have 2 Seamasters and one is +2 secs while the other is -2.
However my Sub is +4 and GMT II is +1 secs a day!

[vman]

What you hear is normal for the movement. Other watches have the same noise, especially pronounced when the watch does not have a solid caseback.

[AEC]

Shaking watches is generally not recommended.

[JP(Canada)]

The newer Omega calibres come with ceramic bearings. This is generally thought to be a good thing. Rolex has gone to a similar design in their latest movement, making it now audible when the rotor swings around.

As for accuracy, it sounds like its within specifications, but if there's a boutique near you, they will likely dial it in closer for you upon request.

I have a couple modern Omegas. One is a 8400 (no ceramic bearings, and no noise) and a newer 8800 (makes some noise and has the ceramic bearings), and both run much higher amplitude than anything else in my box, including a couple of Rolex. Accuracy really depends on regulation a lot more than what brand of watch you're wearing.

[JR16]

OP, your watch is completely normal and within spec, so please enjoy it!! Additionally not sure it’s fair to compare a watch that is half the cost of another though some do try. Lastly, if you don’t like the rotor spin, you’ll hate a PP 5167 and 5711


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[77T]

At about half the price of the Sub, I’d say you got what your paid for.

That’s not a slam - just a price for value comparison.


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[PRabbit]

I don’t care when people say one is objectively better than the other. It’s purely preference for the differences between the two.

I literally just sold my 4 month old blue dial SMP 300 diver and purchased a 116610LN sub date a couple weeks ago. I’ve come to the opinion there is no difference in overall quality whatsoever. The much higher price is solely due to way higher Rolex demand that doesn’t really have to do with quality, but more just from Rolex brand awareness.

The higher price doesn’t really bring any extra quality to the sub vs SMP. I sold the SMP a couple weeks after buying the sub. So I was able to hold them both in my hands right next to each other, and I couldn’t for the life of me notice any extra ‘quality’ in the sub.

I’m sticking with the Sub just because I like the design more and don’t like the HE valve on the SMP, etc. But, I’m sticking with the Sub just because of my preferences, not because I found the sub to be of any higher quality.

Edit: Concerning accuracy, my SMP was +2spd. So that’s just luck of the draw rather than all SMPs running up to +5spd. Compare that with my DJ41 I bought months back and had to send in for warranty within the first month of ownership due to it running -7spd.

[PLNYC]

My speedy is more accurate than my 32xx Rolex

[Dsmith1974]

A new watch will need a breaking in period before you can measure accuracy. The rotor noise is probably down to ball bearings which a more durable design.

There are many reasons to favour a Sub over SM but these aren’t two of them.


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[ratty]

Originally Posted by dchang81

If you're that bothered by +5 you need to get quartz watches.

No you don’t, but you might want to think about having your watch regulated.