Omega: The best quality control?

3015 Views 18 Replies 11 Participants Last post by J!m, Dec 21, 2007

J!m

Discussion Starter · Dec 20, 2007

I lurk around in all the forums here and noticed on several occasions in the Rolex forum owners complaining about the pointer of their rotating bezel not ligning up perfectly on ther watches.

I personally own two Omega 'dive' watches (GMT and Planet Ocean) and the rotating bezels on both of these line up perfectly. Has anyone had a problem with bezel allignment on an Omega?

The reason I ask is that we must pay a STEEP premium (over Omega- even more with other brands) for the Rolex name, but do we even get 1/2 our money's worth?:confused1:

I understand they were quick to rectify the problem, but why was the watch allowed to leave the factory like that???

Just anted to start a little something here today. The forum has been a bit boring lately...:001_tt2:

1 - 19 of 19 Posts

LarryD

· #2 · Dec 20, 2007

4

Not meaning to move too far off topic here (all my Omega bezels line up just fine)

Here is a friendly QC font comparison....

And another from the top end..

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nunz

· #3 · Dec 20, 2007

The detail on the Rollie is most impressive

J!m

Discussion Starter · #4 · Dec 20, 2007

Isn't the blue face of your Omega textured like my white GMT? If so, I have to say that Omega has done an exceptional job overcoming that difficult challenge.

Printing onto a perfectly flat surface, I would expect nothing less than absolute perfection... (particularly for over 5 grand...)

Any textured dials printed on by Rolex for "apples to apples" comparison?:confused1:

How about a magnified view of the speedy dial? That's flat, and would make a good comparison I think. Anyone have a nice view like that to post up side-by-side with the Rolex dial?

aaron

· #5 · Dec 20, 2007

The textured dial does make the printing more difficult however the "swiss made" section printing on both dials is on a smooth surface.

Darn it Jim I thought you were onto something there with the textured dials.

Quick Zin,save us.:lol::lol:

LarryD

· #6 · Dec 20, 2007 (Edited)

3

How about the printing on an untouched 40 year old Seamaster..

This is even looking through an original acrylic crystal..

or even closer:

And then a 2 year old...

I think the font is pretty impressive on both Omegas

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symtech

· #7 · Dec 20, 2007

Both Rolex and Omega can achieve incredible details. I would like to see a comparaison with 2 applied marker model. I'm sure they would be both perfect but am curious.

Pictures anyone?

diver88

· #8 · Dec 20, 2007

the printing over the "wave" pattern is nothing short of phenominal
if you ask me. it looks perfect in a way you would not expect. I've looked
at both of mine with magnifyers and its perfect.. I wonder how they do that:confused1:

great photos Larry:thumbup1:

diver88

Houston

· #9 · Dec 20, 2007

2

Good workmanship Terry :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

Actually it was one of the aspects of the GMT Blanc that drew me to getting one back in September 05.

Y'all be well pals

ZIN

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J!m

Discussion Starter · #10 · Dec 20, 2007

Still waiting for a speedy dial for a totally flat vs. totally flat comparison. The 'old' Seamaster is nice, but I want to see something more modern for an indication of the 'current state of the art' for both companies.

No question, the dial printing on that flat Rolex dial is perfect (as it should be). I still think the wave pattern will cause problems in spite of the fact that the dial is 'smooth' at the edges as noted. As you get closer to the raised part, what ever is printing that has to loose intimate contact with the face, and cause problems. I'm glad I don't have to figure out how to do that (but I have seen video of the printing process, and I assume the big boys all use the same method)

Still no one chiming in on their Omega bezel being off. That was what originally started this thought in my head.

Anyone with an Omega with a bezel that does not 'zero' properly? There are two different Rolex examples I can remember (are there more?), but no Omegas...

nunz

· #11 · Dec 20, 2007 (Edited)

This photo is terrible but the detail is exceptionally good on my coax Bond. Mike

boscoe

· #12 · Dec 20, 2007

Omega has excellent QC, but as our pal Scott D will attest the brand can have issues.
I rate Omega higher than Rolex. But there are brands (yes here we go again Zinster) I rate higher than Omega - Corum, Bedat and Clerc - when it comes to QC and over-all fit and finish.
But in this range we're splitting hairs.

J!m

Discussion Starter · #13 · Dec 20, 2007

6

Here's some Planet Ocean shots; up-close and personal...

A bit closer...

Swiss made...

Check the fill of that marker!

Now the printed hash mark next to it- at this magnification (3X life size) the depth of field is so shallow, you cannot have both the marker and the printed mark in focus- depth of field is les than a milimeter!

The final shot, 4X life size (this is all that fits in the frame at this magnification)

I think the Rolex shown is a bit better in this regard...

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diver88

· #14 · Dec 20, 2007

yes Jim,

my bezels line up perfectly. and so does the "other brand" also.

the printing on the bezels are equally as precise and crisp on my Omegas.

I really can't say that about the "other" watch unfortunately:001_unsure:

diver88

timefinder

· #15 · Dec 20, 2007

Wow. Some really great magnified shots!

ru06

· #16 · Dec 21, 2007

Bezel lines up here perfectly on my Seamaster as well. I think the comparison of the printing of the 'Swiss Made' on the dials of the Omega to Rolex has nothing to do with its QC. Whether or not it has a 'messy' font or not, if you line up 10 Omega dials, the writing will be the same on each and every one of them. THIS is quality control, which happens to be just as good as those other companies. And yes, in my eyes Omega has achieved more than Rolex in that it is printing on a texturized dial. Has the other company even attempted this? Or were they too afraid to! hehe

J!m

Discussion Starter · #17 · Dec 21, 2007

well, that's why I was asking.

I am not familiar with a nice, textured dial on any Rolex, other than the new milligauss; however they do not print in the textured area as far as I remember...

And to be fair, the Rolex dial is smoother than the Omega Planet Ocean dial. You can see the texture of the dial (to reduce reflection) in the photos I posted. The Rolex, as we all know, is a perfectly smooth dial, so if the dead-flat mirror of a crystal doesn't blind you, you still have trouble reading the dead flat and smooth dial surface in bright sun. I have seen this first-hand, and it was also a problem with my white-on-white GMT in direct sunlight (which is why I appreciate what has been done with the Planet Ocean)

I think this is one of many reasons why the older subs are so popular: they have the mat dial to reduce this glare, and the hesalite crystals are curved to reduce reflections.

I am glad to see that Omega has learned that a watch is an instrument to tell time first and foremost. Although to be fair, the Rolex crystal can be used to signal aircraft if you get stranded in the wilderness...

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Fergie

· #18 · Dec 21, 2007

I checked my Alpha and my Omega, but line up perfectly. Cannot see why any company shoul have problems lining up the bezel.

J!m

Discussion Starter · #19 · Dec 21, 2007

I think it's unbelievable as well- a watch which retails over 5 grand and they can't take the care to line up the bezel?:001_rolleyes: Even your sub- $500 Alpha is lined up perfectly. My sub $200 "Nolex" is lined up perfectly. My $200.00 Russian Vostok is lined up perfectly.

Does anyone have any dive watches where the bezel does not zero perfectly? I am focusing on the Rolex, because it had been mentioned by two people that I know of (I'd be mad too!). How are the Invicta bezels for example? We have tons of Invicta divers on here- anyone with a bezel alignment problem?

The cases mentioned here that I am aware of were taken care of by the dealers (no charge- but the time without the watch was usually a week or more), as they should be, but why does something like that get out the door at Rolex?

The other nice thing with other brands (high end brands being the exception) is that they often have more than one piece on hand. In other words, if the bezel didn't line up on your watch, you could just grab another one from the dealer stock. With Rolex, you have to wait months to get your watch, pay full retail, and hope it was assembled on a Wednesday, and not a Friday...

There is something fundamentally wrong with this situation in my opinion.

Rolex makes a great watch for the most part, but what are you actually paying for?

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