zOwie Omega Discussion Forum

Opened July 1999, zOwie is the Internet's first and longest running discussion forum dedicated to Omega brand watches.

Feel free to discuss pricing and specific dealers. But 'for sale' postings, commercial solicitation and ads are not allowed. Full archive of all messages is accessible through options in the Search and Preferences features. Privacy, policies and administrivia are covered in the Terms of Use.

For the answer to the NUMBER #1 most frequently asked question here--for details or value of a specific older Omega watch you have--go to: Tell Me About My Omega.

Learn more about How To Include Photos and HTML In Your Postings.

To contact someone with a question not relevant to other readers of the forum, please click on their email address and contact them privately.

Forgot your Password? RSS

Return to Index Read Responses

I rather enjoy your level of discourse....

In Response To: Re: there is great horological value in.. ()

I have to say that even though we are discussing a sensitive subject (people's opinions always are), you are most cordial, and I thank you for it.

I will attempt to answer your Rolex movement vs. ETA movement question. Being in-house in and of its self is not the primary issue here (not if your not collecting). There are four places where the 31X5 Rolex movement is a superior machine.

1) The Rolex movement is one of the only movements made today(none under $50,000) with a Berguet hairspring. This is a very expensive and complex adjustable system that makes the Rolex line of 31X5 movements the most adjustable movements around for under $100,000. Any watch can be regulated to COSC standards, it's a Rolex that can hold that for a prolonged period of time, primarily due to the Breguet Hairspring.

2) the current 31 Jeweled movement compared with the majority of ETA (21-25 Jewel) movements found in Omega watches has a much lower friction level, which results in a longer life on the parts. The number of jewels DOES matter and only matters in that the movement is more fluid and therefore provides less load on the spring.

3) Rolex uses the more expensive and superior Kif shock protection system for the escapement vs. the Icabolic shock absorption system found on ETA movements. This is a very important issue that ties to the Rolex durability reputation.

4) Although not important to many. Rolex does a pretty good job at decorating their movements (not to the level of a Lange, Audemars, or Patek) which is a result of a higher level of quality control that found in most ETA watches. The few ETA movements that are used in higher line watches like IWC and Ulysse Nardin for example are re-manufactured and "Decorated" by the buying company. To Omega's credit, the new Co-Axial movement is very well decorated but this is no ordinary Omega.

Finally, I ask you: Call any Rolex dealer (especially the ones who sell Omega) and ask them which brand has a better availability of spare parts? This is important since all mechanical watches eventually need parts. Rolex is second to none when it comes to providing spare parts.

If you're not convinced, then I think we just have to agree to disagree

regards,

Sam