Omega ETA Movement: 17 Years Unserviced and Still Accurate

Echi · 2020-07-29T01:22:20Z

Explore the longevity of an unserviced 17-year-old Omega with an ETA movement. Collectors discuss service intervals, wear frequency, and movement durability.

Echi's original post highlights the impressive longevity and accuracy of a 17-year-old unserviced Omega powered by an ETA movement, sparking a discussion about service intervals and the durability of workhorse calibers. This thread explores whether reduced wear can extend the life of a movement beyond standard recommendations, offering valuable insights for collectors with diverse rotations. Echi's experience challenges conventional wisdom, prompting a deeper look into the factors influencing watch maintenance.

Key Points from the Discussion

The relationship between actual wear and service intervals is complex; standard 5-year recommendations likely assume continuous wear, suggesting that watches worn less frequently might naturally require servicing less often.
ETA-based movements, particularly those found in brands like Tudor, are noted for their robust performance and ability to maintain accuracy over extended periods, sometimes even outperforming more prestigious movements.
Minimal wear significantly contributes to a watch's ability to run accurately for many years without service, as demonstrated by watches worn only a few times a year or those that sit in a box for extended periods.
Some Japanese movements, like those from Seiko, are known to run for over two decades without service, though finding independent watchmakers with access to parts for these brands can be a challenge.
Wearing a watch infrequently, perhaps a few times a year, appears to be an optimal frequency for extending its service life, minimizing wear and tear while still keeping the movement active.

The Discussion

countzero

Jul 29, 2020

But if read it right, and the movement not been serviced for 17 years, it is about time! 😉

Mary Anny

Jul 29, 2020

Do not know anything about Omegas but I can speak of ETA-movement based Tudors and I can say that they easily outperform their famous siblings in all aspects... (Did I say too much?!) Enjoy it!

Reuven Malter

Jul 29, 2020

Like the dial a lot, by the way!

Echi

Jul 29, 2020

To not do a force start. Not sure if that's a valid move but I'd rather not risk moving anything. If Seikos are anything to go by, I have friends who have those running more than 20 years without a service. Depending on the model, might actually be cheaper to just buy a new Seiko :p I also think one of the reasons why it's been running ok for so long is that I hardy wear the thing. I used to wear the hell out of it for the first few years then it just started to sit in the box.

countzero

Jul 29, 2020

Regarding your last point, I have also some times wondered about the relationship between the amount of wear and the required service interval. I presume the standard recommendations on the service interval, typically around 5 years, are based on wearing the watch all the time. But when you have many pieces and wear a specific watch only part of the time, this should naturally lengthen the time before a service is required for that watch (all other things being equal) - at least if you don't use

amanico

Jul 29, 2020

And it works flawlessly for some 16 years, now. But I wear it 4 or 5 times a year. Best, Nicolas

Omega ETA Movement: 17 Years Unserviced and Still Accurate

Key Points from the Discussion

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