Comments on: Omega Calibre 321 and “The Good Old Days”

By: Jan Holtzhausen

Jan Holtzhausen — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 17:45:45 +0000

Two points of order:
1) Calibre 861 watches were not the first on the moon, calibre 321′s were. 861′s made it to the moon after testing, but were too new / untested for Armstrong’s moon landing.
2) No-one mentioned the 1045 movement (based on the Lemania 5100) beautiful like a lathe (or Porsche engine) solid as a rock, automatic and can still run the crono accurately after a 7g shock…

By: J.Edwards

J.Edwards — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 16:59:15 +0000

Speaking personally, I wouldn’t vest my money in a watch equipped with the 3220 as the 3220 is a modular chronograph built on top of ETA’s 2892 calibre. Ultimately, if the watch suits you and makes you happy that’s what counts. If you can, though, I would recommend always opting for an integrated chronograph mechanism as opposed to a modular chrono.

By: DLF

DLF — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 04:44:26 +0000

So, no to the 3220 movement? I ask again, because the “Reduced” Speedy is one of the few quality watches which my spindly wrist can comfortably accommodate….

By: Chris H

Chris H — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 18:53:13 +0000

I purchased a speedmaster broad arrow co axial in May 2009, the watch stopped in Dec 09, and is now back with the manufacturer, gutted. trading standards now involved as clearly the watch has flaws, keep well clear.

By: J.Edwards

J.Edwards — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 02:56:27 +0000

Hi Kosta, Thanks for your feedback. I'm ecstatic to hear that you are happy with your Speedy. I will stand by my comments regarding the durability of some of the components used in the 3303 and 3313 and will second J.Peter's remarks regarding precision. I should also state that Omega has gone to some length to remedy the flaws I referred to around the column wheel and I know for certain that they have upgraded at least four of the components involved in that area of the mechanism. I hope that yours is among the many mechanisms that have been upgraded. There are still other areas of the mechanism, though, that I am not entirely satisfied with and would have to say that the durability of the 3303/3313s pale in comparison to the Rolex cal. 4130 in your Daytona (which is also phenomenally precise and easy to service). That said, I am very pleased with the cases of nearly all of Omaga's Speedmasters and can certainly attest to their ability to take a pounding, whether flying to the moon or spelunking off the coast of Mexico. I hope that you continue to get many more years of pleasure and good use from your Speedy.

By: J.Peter

J.Peter — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 15:18:19 +0000

Kosta, J. Edwards said nothing negative about the accuracy of the 3303, he did say that its overall quality of construction, as related to durability, was disappointing. Accuracy, you may find is not everything. I’m sure that your other watches with proper care and adjustment can be regulated to keep as accurate of time as your Speedmaster.

As to why NASA chose the Speedmaster there is a great article in Watch Time this month about exactly that, apparently there was two factors, the Astronauts already favored it and the Rolexes failed the quality test because the hands warped when exposed to heat.

By: kosta

kosta — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 10:01:01 +0000

Why did NASA choose Omega over Rolex ?
And by the way , Daniel Craig is the second worst Bond , so who cares if he wears Rolex , anyway he does so because he is small and rolex is only 40mm .

By: kosta

kosta — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 09:48:03 +0000

I I’m watch freak myself and do own a lot of high end watches from wich speedmasters are the cheapest ( blancpain , daytona (latest ) , few IWC’s , Jaeger and etc . From all those watches speedmaster 3303 ( schumaher ) performs most accurate , about 1 sec. per day , sometimes even less ( if faced down overnight ) and feels most comfy . I don’t know where you are getting this infos from but I have to say that you are not telling the truth . I go surfing , kayaking , hiking with my speedy , never problems .

By: J.Edwards

J.Edwards — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 03:14:42 +0000

Hi Daniel,

At this stage in the 33xx’s evolution, I’d have to side with Maddox.

By: Daniel Sieber

Daniel Sieber — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 20:07:04 +0000

And what do you say about the 7750 based Omega 1164 used in some automatic Seamaster and Speedmaster chronographs??
The opinion of Chuck Maddox, well known Speedmaster expert, was, that he rather would buy a 1164 for the price of a 33xx chronograph movement, than a 33xx for the price of a 1164!