Omega

This is a precious watch. Nothing explains the feeling of wearing this masterpiece from Omega. It's what Omega magic is all about. The superlative case illuminates the stunning movement and seems to suspend it in pure light. The cal 8601 is the finest series produced movement on planet earth and it deserves nothing less than the Hour Vision treatment. The case is all about the movement, to highlight and celebrate it. Never has there been a more symbiotic relationship between case and movement. The watch has a quiet confidence about it and doesn't immediately show its true glory at a superficial glance. Its only when you hold it it your hand, and examine it, that suddenly detail upon detail is revealed. At this point also, the true nature of the case shows itself

_PURE OMEGA MAGIC. Please enjoy the photos to the maximum. I did it for you guys.

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i know i love vintage Omegas, but i also like some of the new Omegas. this has to be the nicest new Omega on the market, apart from the Central Tourbillon RG/chocolate of course. i've had the pleasure of trying that on in the flesh, but still waiting to see an hour vision available for me to slip on my wrist.

the attention to detail on the case with the glass sides is excellent and gives you the chance to view parts of the superbly finished movement that you wouldnt normally get to see.

i also like the displays relative simplicity with just the month and date. most people dont need to be reminded what day it is so that part of an annual calendar is often superfluous and Omega have realised this and done away with it. i have the misfortune of not working, but even i dont need a watch to tell me what day it is as the TV does that perfectly well

the only thing i dont like, and it was discussed in Dr NO's review last year, is the fact that it has 'annual calendar' on the dial. no one needs to see that on the dial. its your watch and you know what its functions are and no one else really needs to know. excess text on a dial is a trap that many brands fall into. i just think that the dial would look much cleaner without it.

that however, is the only thing i can find to criticise on this excellent watch which isnt bad going. everything else is pretty much perfect.

a superb watch Pete and congratulations for having it in your collection. if i could afford it i'd probably have one as well. i look forward to a wrist shot tomorrow on our traditional friday wristscan to blow away all the PP owners

best

Graham

BTW, on another note, is it possible that you can post your pics underneath each other as it makes them much easier to view and keeps the posts width within an average screens size.

cheers. G

I feel the same way with your overall verdict. I'd rather not have the 'annual calendar' text on there but the watch is nigh on perfect. It's next to impossible to get a new watch without excessive writing on it. As an owner, you just accept it the way it is and live with it. As you can imagine, that's not too difficult to do. I tell ya, of the watches I own, the most egregious example to me is the Daytona, with the silly, 'superlative'. There is no rating called, 'superlative chronometer'. I've become disaffected with the Daytona as all my and my wife's Omega's spank it real good. I'll post pictures of my wife's stunning Omega soon. However I'll not sell the Daytona. It's unfortunate that the Daytona is seen as the premiere sports chronograph, so I kind of reluctantly keep it in the collection. In my opinion, Omega never should've replaced the 321 with the 861. My ultimate dream watch would have been a modern 321 Speedmaster with sapphire caseback.

You know, lots of people misunderstand the sapphire case of the Hour Vision. One guy said to me on watchuseek that it was, 'frivolous'. The purpose of the case is solely to service the beautiful movement. It illuminates and highlights the movement. It's all about the movement. In many ways, the Hour Vision is a homage to the 8500/8601 movement. In this respect, the Hour Vision is a purist's watch, one that a bona fide WIS enjoys to wear. It's similar to some Ferrari cars that have a clear perspex covering over the engine, so as to admire the masterpiece of engineering. It's no different with the Hour Vision.

_Here is a new picture not previously posted and you can see how unusually well illuminated to movement is. It's wonderful to see and under a magnifying glass you can also see the tiny coaxial escapement at work. Now that is very special indeed!

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Tell me, what Speedmaster should I get? I own a 3303 broadarrow, which I gave to my useless twin brother. I'm not a fan of the classic 861 and the rattrapante broadarrow would've been my choice except I absolutely hate with a passion the pulse scale around the dial. This would leave the broadarrow GMT, but it's virtually the same watch as my aqua terra GMT. But boy, oh boy, it sure is one hell of a pretty watch.