: Does anyone know if these electronic watches
: are now worth anything? Also are parts
: available if they ever do break down? Has
: history shown them to be extremely reliable
: or should they be avoided? Thanks
Hi Roger.
I am a collector of these watches and others that have the same ESA tuning fork movement in.
Current values are quite subdued when compared to watches of the same era, a basic SS f300 would have cost slightly more than a Speedmaster when new, but today is worth much less. There are certain models which demand a premium such as the Seamaster skin-diver varients, 'd' shaped Constellation and any of the solid gold ones and of course the Speedsonic chronograph models.
These movements were made in their thousands and are very accurate and reliable, certain myths surrounding the reliability are abound but i have found this to be unfounded.
Many other makers used the ESA movement, including IWC, Certina, Baume & Mercier, Longines the list goes on, there is even rumours of a Patek Phillipe model but i have never found one.
Parts are still available but some can be hard to find and also expensive, many repairers are reluctant to work on them, but there are still some of us about.
3 simple rules to follow to ensure longevity.
1: never quickset the date between the hours of 9pm and 3am.( Plastic date wheels are easily damaged and the wheels for the 9162(Omega Cal 1250 are now obselete)
2: Avoid turning the hands backwards if possible
3: Have it serviced every 5-6yrs, how many mechnical watches do you now of with intervals like that.
I have recently set up a website, still being fine tuned, but it may help you with some more in-depth info.
Regards Keith
