golden hands
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design/quality control problem
the meshing of the chronograph wheels when activated to engage when the start lever is pushed by the case pusher
is very very fine and if there is a problem identified by the omega watchmaker with the centre wheel bushing-not to tolerance or no perfectly round-say
then this meshing may work at some point and then stop.
the changes omega made for the new design calibre will be the problem as the old one worked perfectly fine
the co-axial movement has nothing to do with the chronograph functioning-start-stop reset other then the drive from the 4th wheel to power the chronograph
via an intermediate wheel to the chronograph centre wheel which drives the centre chronograph hand you see on the dial .
if you have a 4x loupe and look through the caseback glass you will see the 3 wheels going to the centre and how fine one of them is(stops jumping on engagement)
Issue with the Omega Caliber 3861
Hi all, I am unfortunately coming on this board to report a problem that seem to be affecting the Omega caliber 3861, first rolled out in the Speedmaster Apollo 11 50th Anniversary introduced in 2019, then in the Moonshine in 2020, and finally in the regu...
Interesting reading, I wonder how many utilize the chrono function enough to have the premature wear occur?
I really hope they fix your watch.
From my understanding, the issue is not with the chronograph function
It could occur even if one did not use the chrono, i.e. the watch stopping altogether unexpectedly. But I can only assume that actioning the chrono creates more stress on that particular part, and accelerates the process.
I had the same issue with my Speedmaster Professional
Hi Boris, I purchased a Speedmaster Professional, 3861 Sapphire Sandwich in October 2021. After 12 months it has developed the same fault. When fully wound, if you engage the chrono it comes to a complete stop. Its currently with Omega and they have quote...
Sorry to hear that and seems there is a solution so it will be resolved.
I owned both the Apollo 11 50th anniversary pieces since 2019 and haven’t noticed any issues….or yet? Is there a way to stress test it? I do wear the SS version quite a bit and sometimes I left the Chronos running for a day on both but neither had failed....
Thanks for a detailed report.
I’m surprised to hear this issue happening with a co-axial movement, which is supposed to reduce the wear and tear and extend service periods (albeit by working at the level of the escapement’s interaction with the balance spring, and not at the chrono pa...
I was thinking exactly the same thing
What is the point of having a co-axial escapement, whose main purpose is to reduce friction / need for lubrification / service around this part if another part of the watch is overlooked and needs more lubrification / service. Any piece of equipment is on...
"...that the chronograph second hand stopped at 58 seconds..." - that is the moment, when next step the minute-counter should be mooved...
... so i think it is usually a adjustment, that every watchmaker can do checking a picture from the 3861 it seems, that a adjustment perhabs is not possible, so perhabs the minute-counter spring mooves not smoothly as it shoult regards Stephan
I don't think it's this easy
Some users have reported issues after 4 seconds, some didn't even use the chronograph function and the watch still stopped. It does look like a small bushing needs to be changed at the center wheel, and only watchmakers having access to these specific par...
design/quality control problem
the meshing of the chronograph wheels when activated to engage when the start lever is pushed by the case pusher is very very fine and if there is a problem identified by the omega watchmaker with the centre wheel bushing-not to tolerance or no perfectly ...
Thanks for the detailed explanations
They mirror the understanding I had (at a much more basic and layman level than yours). I can't see through the caseback, unfortunately, as my watch is the hesalite version. I hope that's the only issue with the new caliber, and fixing the center wheel bu...
Appreciate the detailed post and warning.
I wonder what % of watches released with the movement are having the same issue? Maybe this will become one of those situations that Omega updates on existing watches as they come in for service over the years (assuming they don't fail first like yours). ...
Impossible to know what % would be affected
Pretty sure that Omega would have the number of watches with 3861 which have been returned to service with this issue, but I'm sure it's a pretty guarded information. I think you are right: Omega will probably update existing watches either when they fail...
Thks for the detailed account dear Boris…
I had mine since Jan21 and other then testing the chrono at the shop, I have not activated the chrono function since😅. However, I have been wearing it quite frequently and thus far no issue. Will definitely keep a closer watch now….. Hope your problem is ...
Have had similar issue with my Speedy 60th
But it’s an older movement. The chrono would lock and “bite” and stop the watch totally. It was few weeks old fresh from Omega Boutique, so i had to send it in for warranty repair. They were able to fix it, work done not described to me. It is working fin...
sadly this happens across watch brands. Tudor/Rolex still introduces bronze cased watches, with bronze bezels and aluminum inserts, despite knowing they'll rot away.
Any 16 year old kid taking a basic chemistry class could have told them this, and they're had many people sending them back for rotting bezels (including me), but hubris rules the day there and not common sense. So you're left with a 'dive' watch that you...
why did they want to upgrade the omega cal 1861 to 3861?
i would be interested to know of what they wanted to improve. the switched chronograph will never work or be as reliable as a column wheel one so maybe they should think of bringing back the original omega cal 321(lemania 2310) the cost would be greater b...
I read those accounts of rotting bezels on Tudor BB Bronze
Frankly I find that a lot more shocking than issues with a new movement which, annoying as they are, do happen relatively frequently. For the bezel issue, it's really a case of an aesthetic choice (bronze) completely compromising the intended use of the w...
Yes absolutely; “galling” sums it up nicely. They know they have a fix in ceramic, but won’t do it.
Silly really, why even make a diver that you can’t dive with
My 50th Was In Service
Yet it was due to being very hard to wind... and this has also been reported I believe online. Yes, soon thereafter the mainspring broke. They fixed it fairly quickly and happy with the service. Am not worried as I believe Omega will fix any known problem...
Thanks for sharing your experience, Boris. Parenthetically, the Omega-certified watchmaker on OF . . .
. . . you're referring to used to participate on ThePuristS and PuristSPro as 1440 , for those whose memories go back that far. Best, Art
This morning
I noticed your thread. This evening i take time to reply. Why? I have a love for Omega. It hurts to read a Omega with problems. Yesterday i talked with a watch friend about Omega and how we love what they made in history till present day. He picked up a p...
Well, a new movement brings new challenges! This is normal! It was the same with the 1. Co-Ax movements in early 2000-years…
But this is not really an issue, if Omega soves the problem. And they did in the past with the Co-Ax. Even after warranty periode, at no cost. And they will do it here as well if it really is a failure of design… 👍🏻💡
Issue with the Omega Caliber 3861 ongoing
Hi I have joined this board to report the same fault. My watch was purchased in July 2024. Looking for info about the issue, repair and if there have been issues post repair work. Thanks