Utterly shocking.........Watch out!

[ru06]

I find Jaguar Boy's story hard to believe. I mean, I'm a little bit skeptical. But who knows.

[Sumer]

Indeed shocking, never expected from omega

[Jaguar Boy]

ru06 - what part of the story are you sceptical about? I'm as shocked as you are! The lesson from all this is that compared with brands like Oris and Fortis, Omega are over-priced and under-reliable. To use the chrono function on a brand new watch and listen to a spring come loose inside is completely unacceptable. To have the same fault a week later on the brand new replacement was unbelievable, but it happened.

I was in contact with the late Chuck Maddox at the time and he said the 33xx movement was so dubious the chrono function should only be used with the utmost caution. He had numerous correspondents who shared my experience. When I returned the first watch and the AD assistant was phoning another branch (Preston and Duckworth was the retailer) to order a replacement, the word "again" cropped up more than once.

I'm sorry to cast doubt on your favoured brand, but every word of this is true. I wish it wasn't! It seems to me that Omega pump out too many new models - take a look at their site - rather than improving the existing models and movements. I have several Rolexes, and though they are nowhere near as accurate as my Oris and Fortis, they don't disintegrate like my three Omegas. My friend's first three PO chronos simply stopped working. That is totally unacceptable for a model costing around £4,500. )I don't know the exact price). I can chuck a Rolex against the wall and it'll be fine. I hardly dare put my Speedmaster on my wrist!

[RickS]

This doesn't include the Speedy Pro does it? Not the 1863/321 movt. models right?

[Wetworks]

My AT Chrono has a variant, the 3301. The watch is a few years old, but no problems to report on my end.

[ru06]

Jaguar Boy, you use harsh words. I'm sure Omega customer service will get everything right in the end. Best of luck. If you think Omega is overpriced, then go buy a Rolex.

[Wisconsin Proud]

Jaguar Boy, you use harsh words. I'm sure Omega customer service will get everything right in the end. Best of luck. If you think Omega is overpriced, then go buy a Rolex.

I dont find his comments harsh if they are indeed true. The fact is Omega has problems whether you want to believe it or not.

We all defend the brands that are our favorites and they all have some issues.

Just because the dial says Omega doesnt mean they arent susceptible to problems. Omega is not bullet proof - time to realize this.

[bczolone]

Just because the dial says Omega doesnt mean they arent susceptible to problems. Omega is not bullet proof - time to realize this.

What???

Seriously we do defend those to which we have procured using hard earned dough...but, I have to agree that they all have problem and as if no one read ULF's above posts, from a movement that has a history of problems.

Akin to a car make having a chronic problem with particular motor.

Something we've all heard of and with cars somehow its easier to believe. Why is a watch different?

I'm sure Toyota...err...Omega will hopefully back you up. Any chance you can trade out for a model you like with a different movement?

[Jaguar Boy]

ru06 - I don't think my words are harsh. I've described what happened to a bunch of expensive watches as fairly as I can, though such terrible faults would have been unacceptable on watches costing 100 bucks. I mentioned that the fourth PO, sent to my friend direct from Omega, is OK - so far. It's accurate and the chrono function is working. I'm being even-handed here! Do you find it hard to hear unpleasant facts about a brand you rate highly? To me, one of the main attractions of the Forums is to discuss the pleasures AND problems of watch ownership with like-minded people. Surely you wouldn't prefer them to be glossed over or ignored?

One of my favourites is a Fortis B42 with a standard ETA movement. It's tough, reliable, accurate, has both day and date functions, and the chronograph mechanism has worked perfectly for more than four years. (I wonder why there's no Fortis forum. Maybe I'll have a quiet word with the esteemed JBH....). I collect Jaguars and Ferraris and would make this comparison. Next to my Rolex and Fortis, all but one of the four Speedmasters I have owned have been like Trabants - or should that be Toyotas?

I DID buy a Rolex after the Speedmaster debacles. It's a TT GMT2C and the best watch I've ever owned, with the possible exception of a 1958 manual-wind Oris that, remarkably, still keeps close to COSC standards of accuracy. I've had the GMT2 for two years. It came with all papers and seals in place. For a watch now retailing in the UK for £6,400 I paid £3,700, within a whisker of what my friend's dud Seamaster PO Chronos cost. I'm 60 now and the GMT2 will be in my collection for the rest of my life. I'm going shooting at the weekend and, to show what I really think of Omegas I think I'll give my Schumacher Legend both barrels!

[ulackfocus]

- or should that be Toyotas?

Easy now - I drive a Toyota.