Chuck Maddox’s Watch Blog

This page is a journal of my journey in the field of Horology, which is timekeeping. In other words, watch collecting. Which in my case is the collecting of chronograph watches. To contact me, email me at: cmaddox3@sbcglobal.net .

Name:
Location: Chicagoland, United States

The Extremely wordy version of my Resumé is located here: http://home.xnet.com/~cmaddox/resume.html

Monday, April 23, 2007

Omega Chronograph Dimensions page updated...

Section added to "Omega Chronograph Dimensions" Tables/page...

At the behest of Steve Waddington, moderator at Chronocentric's ZOWIE Omega Discussion Forum and all around good guy, I've added a new section on my “Dimensions of Selected Omega Chronographs...” page...

Steve mentioned to me that he often used that page as a quick look-up when people were asking about a 145.xxx or a 176.xxx and it'd be really handy to add a reference to the 176.001 card and discussion we had in C/ZOWIE last week.

A "scrunched" version of this table looks something like this:

Known/Documented Omega Prototypes [NOTE: These were...]
Ref.#:
Circa Year:
Calibre:
Description:
Notes:
145.0022
c.1968-1973
c.861

Alaska Project/211

Mercury Hands @ Eric So, Lot 211

176.001
1974
c.1040

c.1040 Prototype

Thread, Archive, Data Card

176.0017
1974
c.1045

c.1045 Prototype

Unreleased model

11 103
c.1978-1986?
¿l.5012?

"FIFA Referee"

eBay Archive: 1 2 2a 3 Lot 276

Note: Alaska project is assumed to have the same dimensions as a 145.022 save for ... .


I'll be contacting the fellow who purchased a FIFA Referee Chronograph last month and asking him for dimensions of his 11 103 FIFA and updating this table as other prototypes become documented.

Cheers and Enjoy!

-- Chuck

8 Comments:

Blogger Ramón said...

Very interesting, Thanks.

Tuesday, June 05, 2007 1:59:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey Chuck; purchasing a Speedy 3581.30.00- have the same issues showed up on the 3581 as well? how has the 3603 movement held up? I know you are a Speedy Pro fan- are you giving up on Omega? What can we do about the Swatch quality control?

Thursday, September 27, 2007 3:01:00 PM  
Blogger Chuck Maddox said...

Lesman said...
Hey Chuck;

Howdy Lesman...

purchasing a Speedy 3581.30.00-

Um, OK...

have the same issues showed up on the 3581 as well?

Well, not that I'm following it that closely...
No, the same issues haven't shown up [to my knowledge] on the Broad Arrow GMT.
The only issue I know of so far with the Broad Arrow GMT is [ http://blog.andrewng.com/2006/08/11/just-my-bad-luck-new-watch-came-broken/ ] AndrewNG's experience...

[ Image of Andrew's BA GMT: http://static.flickr.com/78/212623094_06ed63e5cb.jpg ]

how has the 3603 movement held up?


Aside from that [Andrew's] problem, I haven't seen any others reported on the BA GMT. That doesn't necessarily mean that there aren't other problems reported, or that there are necessarily very many out there in the field being used.
So... The only problem I've personally seen is different than the problems we've seen with watches using the F. Piguet movement in the past.

I know you are a Speedy Pro fan- are you giving up on Omega?

[Smirks] I really don't know, it's a hard question to answer. I'm not planning on selling any of the Omega's I own. I am still looking for a couple of [Vintage] Omega's to add to my collection if I can a] find them, b] afford them once I do find examples. There are no current "new" Omega models that I am in the market for. However, I do have an open mind if Omega comes up with a model that interests me.

I was very underwhelmed by Omega's showing at Basel, and the prices being sought [and often paid] by people for used/vintage pieces since Omegamania effectively prices me on the outside looking in for the most part. But if the right piece at the right price comes along... I'll be in there bidding.

Omega remains my most favored brand, and barring a slew of Vintage Heuer's I need becoming available for purchase, or a radical change of course by TAG-Heuer, I don't foresee that changing anytime soon, if ever. And no other firm who's products I collect is even in the same league as Heuer and Omega.

What can we do about the Swatch quality control?

Short of a coup, I'm not sure what can be done by us the customers from the outside of Omega/Swatch Group looking in...

I've offered my thoughts, expressed my concerns and pointed towards what I believe to be the right direction more times than I care to count. It is my opinion that what we have currently, and have had the past half a dozen years is less that optimal and there is much room for improvement. I've written concisely and bluntly, and at length and in great detail [mostly in TZ's Omega Forum], I'm not sure how much [if any of it] gets through to people in a position to act within the Omega / Swatch / Hayek hegemony.

I suppose all we can really do is keep the lines of communication open between ourselves and make Omega aware that we are a learned, connected and active clientele and will hold them to the high standards expected of a premium product producer.

I hope this is helpful!

-- Chuck

P.S. Best of fortune with your pending GMT purchase!

Thursday, September 27, 2007 9:37:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Chuck- thanks for the reply; you are the Omega/speedmaster angel! I have had no problem with the P.O. 2500 movement, or my Seamaster 300, or my Aqua Terra Chrono- I will always love Omega, then my Rolex's-

Thanks Chuck!

Fair winds and following seas-

lesman- lshifler@yahoo.com

Friday, September 28, 2007 4:25:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I just purchased an Omega Seamaster Chronometer and I love the watch. I do have a question, however; is it abnormal that the point of the triangle on the rotating bezel cannot be perfectly aligned with the center of twelve o'clock? It seems the closest I can get it is VERY slightly to the left of the center. If this is a slight imperfection that exists on every Seamaster, I can live with it, but I just want to know if I should send it in for adjustment. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thursday, March 20, 2008 7:26:00 PM  
Blogger Chuck Maddox said...

Anonymous said...

I just purchased an Omega Seamaster Chronometer and I love the watch. I do have a question, however; is it abnormal that the point of the triangle on the rotating bezel cannot be perfectly aligned with the center of twelve o'clock?

Yes, that is not correct.

It seems the closest I can get it is VERY slightly to the left of the center. If this is a slight imperfection that exists on every Seamaster,

It doesn't.

I can live with it,

I wouldn't.

but I just want to know if I should send it in for adjustment.

I would take it to an authorized dealer and see what could be done to rectify the situation.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Bon Chance on your AD Visit.
-- Chuck

Friday, March 28, 2008 5:18:00 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Hallo, I have a more general question I have been trying to find an answer to for some time - is it okay to have the chronograph run all the time on the Omega Speedmaster? I like to see the seconds hand move rather than stay at 12 o'clock. It also covers part of the Omega logo, which is a bit annoying. Would appreciate your advice. Thanks

Thursday, May 01, 2008 8:17:00 AM  
Blogger Chuck Maddox said...

todor said...
Hallo, I have a more general question I have been trying to find an answer to for some time - is it okay to have the chronograph run all the time on the Omega Speedmaster? I like to see the seconds hand move rather than stay at 12 o'clock. It also covers part of the Omega logo, which is a bit annoying. Would appreciate your advice. Thanks


There are several schools of thought on this...

1] Chronograph use causes friction on the chronograph segments of the movement, friction is bad, probably should only be used when timing something.

2] Utilizing the chronograph makes sure the various lubricants are evenly spread around the movement, so utilizing the chronograph is beneficial to it's operation.

3] It's a good idea to operate the watch through a "full range" of it's motions on a regular basis. Allowing the chronograph to rest, operating the chronograph from time to time, etc.

In my experience the differences between these methods of use are minimal. Operating a chronograph 24/7 won't wear it out prematurely unless the movement is completely devoid of oils and dry. And not operating the chronograph won't cause it to stiffen up and seize either.

Perhaps the best approach is to stop the chronograph at night and reset and then start it again when you wake. This way the chronograph get's a regular frequent workout in all method's of use.

I hope this is helpful!

-- Chuck

Thursday, May 01, 2008 2:49:00 PM  

Post a Comment

<< Home