Written by Curt

on October 27, 2001, 21:14 GMT

Top of Article Table of Contents Official Specifications from Omega web site Unofficial Specifications from the Author Movement Case, Crystal and Crown Dial and Hands Accuracy Bracelet User Manual and Packaging Comfort Value Summary Acknowldedgements Rights Reserved

Official Specifications from Omega web site:

• Caliber: Omega 3600,:
  • Self-winding mechanical movement
  • officially certified chronometer
  • rhodium-plated finish
• Power Reserve: 44 hours
• Jewels: 25
• Water-Resistance: 100 m / 330 ft
• Case Diameter: 42.25 mm
• Crystal: Anti-reflective sapphire crystal
• Special Features: Tachymeter scale on the bezel
• Chronograph functions:
  • Small seconds,
  • central chronograph hand
  • central split-seconds hand
  • 30-minute and 12-hour totalizers
  • start / stop push button
  • return-to-zero push button
  • split-seconds push button.
     

Unofficial Specifications from the author:

Movement:

I know very little about the Omega 3600 movement. It certainly "feels" like a Valjoux 7750 movement. I don't know if the split-second function is a modular add-on or if the base movement has been modified. Normally, I don't mind opening up the back on a watch to set regulation or just peer inside. However, this one is running so well at the moment that I am hesitant to open it up and risk a ding from a slipped caseback wrench.
 

Case, Crystal and Crown:

The case is one beefy chunk of stainless steel. The sides and bezel are brushed while the top of the lugs, crown, and pushers are polished. The crystal is beveled ever so slightly and the edge sits a tiny bit above the bezel (less than 0.5 mm). The anti-reflective coating on the crystal is visible under fluorescent light at the right viewing angle. It does a so-so job of cutting reflection. The non screw-down, signed crown has only two positions - in or out. Manual winding has the "feel" of other V7750 watches I own. There is a bit of take-up when first engaging the crown to wind.
 

Dial and Hands:

The dial is a real eye-catcher on this watch. The carbon fiber weave pattern is fairly subdued under normal room lighting but really stands out in bright sunshine. I think most people either love or hate carbon fiber dials. I obviously fancy this one. On the other hand, I am concerned that the effect may go out of vogue fairly quickly and date the watch. Dial layout is fairly conventional for a V7750 with a 30-minute accumulator at 12:00, constant seconds at 9:00 and 12-hour accumulator at 6:00. The sub-dials appear to have been milled into the surface of the main dial. The 12:00 and 6:00 subdials actually have 3 different depths while the constant seconds is two depths. The surface of the subdials doesn't have the shiny effect of the main dial and provides some contrast with it. There are 7 hands altogether. The hour, minute, and constant seconds at 9:00 are treated with Super Luminova. The others are left in the white.
 

Accuracy:

+1 to +2 seconds per day so far. My normal watch wearing day includes 12 hours on the wrist and 12 hours crown up on a dresser at night.
 

Bracelet:

The SS comes with a nice beefy bracelet befitting the size of the watch. It is marked as a 1998/998 bracelet. It features the double pushbutton clasp release. The end pieces feature a raised center link that is very much more pronounced than the end links on my 1957 Reissue. I believe this is to provide a better transition between the bracelet and the tall case of the watch. The bracelet tapers to 18 mm at the clasp.
 

User Manual and Packaging:

Instead of the usual red internal Omega box, this one comes in a black simulated leather box with a slide-in strap for closure. Besides the service center folder and chronometer warranty and normal warranty card, there are two instruction manuals. One goes into detail about the bezel and the other focuses more on operation of the watch.
 

Comfort:

The watch is heavy, but most of my watches are, so I'm used to it. After a few minutes on my wrist, I don't even notice it.
 

Value:

At a 2001 MSRP of $4395.00, I'm not sure how I would judge the value of this watch. As mechanical split-seconds, or rattrapante chronographs go, this is one of the more economical ones. However, this is a specialist's watch. Unless one has a definite need for the split timing function, one can surely find much better value in the regular Speedmaster lineup.
 

Summary:

This is the only split-seconds chrono that I own and I can't really see myself starting a collection of these beasties. This watch definitely makes a statement. You look and feel like you are ready to go out and get in your F1 racer and do a few laps at 200+ mph. While I will probably never actually have that opportunity, it gives the Walter Mitty that lives inside me a bit of thrill on my morning commute to work.
 

Acknowldedgements:

Rights Reserved: