zOwie Omega Discussion Forum

: I wonder how long it'll take to release a
: coaxial SMP "plain Jane" variant,

If you look at the current Coaxial models, you'll see that they cost about $800 more than comparable models with the regular movements. This price difference includes both the coaxial movement iself and the display back -- which OMEGA is using on all Coaxials now. I don't expect to see a plain-back Coaxial. What's the point of paying a lot more for a special movement if you can't see it?

The GMT feature on the Coaxial adds about another $500 or more than the regular Coaxial.

So there really is no way you are going to get a Coaxial (GMT or not) for anywhere near close to what the regular SMP goes for.

OMEGA is trying to move further upscale with their products. So it is very unlikely they will offer lower-end models containing the Coaxial movements. OMEGA has been well known for a while for offering models equal to Rolex models in all meaningful measures of quality, but with more style and at half the price. It was an "as good as Rolex for half the cost" strategy.

I think the OMEGA strategy for newer models is to come in at near the price of popular Rolex models, but with a lot more bang for the buck -- such as Coaxial movements, display backs and features like GMT or Power Reserve indicators. So it would now be more of a "way more interesting and slightly less costly than Rolex" strategy.