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Post by carl on Dec 16, 2017 23:58:05 GMT -6
Wow, now that was quite the visit! Nice that you got to look at all of those! They've got some good things going for them right now it seems and seeing that Planet Ocean (although non-chrono) makes me more sure. Seems as if they've finally upgraded the clasp on it? Proper micro adjustments like the Submariner? That limited edition dial is something else really! Actually blown away by every one of those. They did have a chrono as well, but it was the previous model without the adjustable clasp. I am going back on Friday afternoon, to take another look at the Railmaster, and I will try and get some more photos of the various PO chronos. That non-chrono, though, is a real beauty. Real hefty, but as I said, that just goes along with the watch. Either you like the heft or you don't. They also had a GMT model which I really liked. This is really getting freaky . Now, I am back loving the Omegas. Just a lesson learned for myself, never go only by info and pics online. What really opened my eyes, is how beautiful the new Aqua Terras are. I tried on a smaller 38mm model, and was very impressed. They finally have a size that I feel comfortable with. While I was thinking all the changes they were making were bad, they have actually come out with a few models that are, to me, a lot more wearable. They had a PO as well, which I didn't like in the online photos, but looks pretty fantastic. By the time I got to the POs, though, I had been there about 3 hours! It is the white/black bezel model; They really had a good selection of models. I was so overwhelmed by that time, after seeing the Railmaster and the Aqua Terra, I really wished I could have spent more time with the PO models. This really was a very exciting day!
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Post by muckymark on Dec 17, 2017 9:44:50 GMT -6
Wow! Thanks and damn you! Those pictures of the AT are fantastic. My next big purchase watch will be a silver/white dial model, something the collection is lacking. The current contenders are the DJ41 and the Explorer 2. Then the new AT came along. As I’m getting close to ending my working career the need for a dress type watch becomes less prevalent. I know the DJ is considered a sport watch but I feel it’s more dress up than down. I do like the pop of colour the AT and Exp 2 have. A couple of concerns I have are the size and the bracelets. They’re both big and according to some posts on WUS the Exp 2 wears bigger than its 42mm. The AT looks big also but for some reason it looks smaller on the bracelet in your photos. The lack of adjustment on the AT could be an issue. I do like and use the Easylink on my Exp 1. Both bracelets are polished but like you say above they’re meant to be worn. I was looking at the AT 38mm but they don’t have the same dial/hand combo. After Xmas is over I’ll have to visit some AD’s and try them on. This years bonus may not be as big as previous years but I’ve been putting some money aside as well. Whatever I buy it will be the last big purchase, sadly retiring will give me more time to look at and research watches but the funds will no longer be available.
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Baco Noir
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Post by Baco Noir on Dec 17, 2017 11:09:34 GMT -6
muckymark - do get to the ADs and try them on. The Exp II will feel less dressy/more casual than the AT and I don’t think it wears larger than the 42mm size.
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Post by carl on Dec 17, 2017 12:43:36 GMT -6
Wow! Thanks and damn you! Those pictures of the AT are fantastic. My next big purchase watch will be a silver/white dial model, something the collection is lacking. The current contenders are the DJ41 and the Explorer 2. Then the new AT came along. As I’m getting close to ending my working career the need for a dress type watch becomes less prevalent. I know the DJ is considered a sport watch but I feel it’s more dress up than down. I do like the pop of colour the AT and Exp 2 have. A couple of concerns I have are the size and the bracelets. They’re both big and according to some posts on WUS the Exp 2 wears bigger than its 42mm. The AT looks big also but for some reason it looks smaller on the bracelet in your photos. The lack of adjustment on the AT could be an issue. I do like and use the Easylink on my Exp 1. Both bracelets are polished but like you say above they’re meant to be worn. I was looking at the AT 38mm but they don’t have the same dial/hand combo. After Xmas is over I’ll have to visit some AD’s and try them on. This years bonus may not be as big as previous years but I’ve been putting some money aside as well. Whatever I buy it will be the last big purchase, sadly retiring will give me more time to look at and research watches but the funds will no longer be available. Well, having tried on the 41mm AT, I can say it definitely does not wear large at all. Knowing my taste for smaller watches, that will mean something to you. I did try on the 38mm as well, although not available in that colour combo, and it really fit me so well. You really do need to see them in real life, the online pics do them no justice whatsoever. Roger is right about the Explorer II. I tried it on myself a few years ago and, once again, was pleasantly surprised how it did not feel too large at all. The 38mm and 41mm ATs have slightly different movements. The one in the smaller size does not have the GMT function (as they call it), with the ability to move the hour hand without affecting the rest of the timing. I guess the movement in the 41mm is just too large for the case of the 38mm. Not a deal breaker for me, but that "GMT" function is a great feature. Still, with making a slightly different coaxial movement to fit smaller cases is really a smart move on their part. I have to say that the AT is IMO at a really good price point. With the bracelet is $6900CAD and the rubber is $6750. I feel, after seeing the model, it is a good amount of watch for the price. You might want to go back to Rodeo and speak to Sal again as well. They usually have a really good selection of Omega models. I haven't been out there for a few months, but last time they had quite a few ATs in the window. If you want comfort, it is hard to beat the Omega OEM leather with deployant. That tan strap would be amazing on that dial combo with orange accents. It is stunning, and the horizontal lines on the dial - unevenly spaced - really make it very interesting. I think that the one I tried with the tan leather did have the deployant. They have the adjustable clasp on the LE Railmaster. Personally, for that watch and the ATs, although you dont have the convenience of the adjustable clasp, I think the butterfly clasp suits better. AT 41mm on tan leather.
I tried this on as well, on leather with tang buckle at 38mm. This looks great as well:
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Post by carl on Dec 17, 2017 14:44:58 GMT -6
I tried that one on at the Boutique here as well, and its awesome! The only thing that held me back was it’s too similar in coloration to my polar Exp II. IIRC, it has the jump hour hand for changing time across time zones without stopping the second hand too. Great looking watch. Funny thing about the jump hour hand. It has the complication on the 8900 movement which is in the 41mm model. The 8800 movement in the 38mm model does not have the jump hour hand. I don't know a lot about the mechanics of the movements, but I guess the 8800 must be just that much smaller. They use it in both of the Railmaster models as well. It surprises me. The smaller AT used to be 38.5mm, and it had the jump hour hand. I had that model, the "Skyfall" with blue dial. I could never get a comfortable fit with it. Yesterday, when I tried on the 38mm model, it fit beautifully. Maybe the 8800 is a bit thinner as well.
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Archer
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Post by Archer on Dec 18, 2017 7:56:36 GMT -6
I tried that one on at the Boutique here as well, and its awesome! The only thing that held me back was it’s too similar in coloration to my polar Exp II. IIRC, it has the jump hour hand for changing time across time zones without stopping the second hand too. Great looking watch. Funny thing about the jump hour hand. It has the complication on the 8900 movement which is in the 41mm model. The 8800 movement in the 38mm model does not have the jump hour hand. I don't know a lot about the mechanics of the movements, but I guess the 8800 must be just that much smaller. They use it in both of the Railmaster models as well. It surprises me. The smaller AT used to be 38.5mm, and it had the jump hour hand. I had that model, the "Skyfall" with blue dial. I could never get a comfortable fit with it. Yesterday, when I tried on the 38mm model, it fit beautifully. Maybe the 8800 is a bit thinner as well. The jumping hour hand doesn't have anything to do with the movement diameter, but would impact the thickness. I can only assume it was just a design decision made by Omega not to include it on the 8800 series. The 8800 is an 11.5 ligne movement, so 26 mm diameter. The 8900 is a 13 ligne movement, so 29 mm. The 8800 is 4.6 mm thick, where the 8900 is 5.5 mm thick. I hear polar opposite opinions on the jump hour feature - some love it because you don't have to stop the watch to change the hour, and some hate it because there is no quick set date. It is sometimes a source of failures on the watches that have them, but that is usually when service is neglected. Cheers, Al
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Post by carl on Dec 18, 2017 8:26:20 GMT -6
Funny thing about the jump hour hand. It has the complication on the 8900 movement which is in the 41mm model. The 8800 movement in the 38mm model does not have the jump hour hand. I don't know a lot about the mechanics of the movements, but I guess the 8800 must be just that much smaller. They use it in both of the Railmaster models as well. It surprises me. The smaller AT used to be 38.5mm, and it had the jump hour hand. I had that model, the "Skyfall" with blue dial. I could never get a comfortable fit with it. Yesterday, when I tried on the 38mm model, it fit beautifully. Maybe the 8800 is a bit thinner as well. The jumping hour hand doesn't have anything to do with the movement diameter, but would impact the thickness. I can only assume it was just a design decision made by Omega not to include it on the 8800 series. The 8800 is an 11.5 ligne movement, so 26 mm diameter. The 8900 is a 13 ligne movement, so 29 mm. The 8800 is 4.6 mm thick, where the 8900 is 5.5 mm thick. I hear polar opposite opinions on the jump hour feature - some love it because you don't have to stop the watch to change the hour, and some hate it because there is no quick set date. It is sometimes a source of failures on the watches that have them, but that is usually when service is neglected. Cheers, Al Thanks, Al. That explains it brilliantly. Cheers, Carl
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Archer
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Post by Archer on Dec 19, 2017 7:40:09 GMT -6
By the way the jumping hour hand has been used on Omegas back as far as the SMP Great White and black GMT models. Those use the Cal. 1120, which is also an 11.5 ligne movement, so they could have fit this to the 8800. This is the hour wheel that provides that functionality - it's 2 wheels in one: There is a ratchet type system that allows the upper part of the wheel, that the hand is attached to, to move independently of the lower part of the wheel. The lower part of the wheel is being driven by the time train, so that is how the hand moves normally just as the watch is running. With the crown pulled out one spot there is a mechanism that allows the upper potion of the wheel to move in one hour increments. When the ratcheting mechanism between the two parts of the wheel fails, then the whole thing starts acting up, and the hour hand stops moving. One example here... I always replace this wheel every time one of these comes in for a service, just as a precaution. I serviced one of these once and didn't change the wheel (it worked and felt fine at the time) but then 3 weeks later it failed, and I took the watch back and fixed it under warranty. So now I just change it regardless of how good it works, as the $20 for the new wheel saves everyone a lot of hassles. Cheers, Al
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CHIP
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Post by CHIP on Dec 19, 2017 12:11:30 GMT -6
Wow! Thanks and damn you! Those pictures of the AT are fantastic. My next big purchase watch will be a silver/white dial model, something the collection is lacking. The current contenders are the DJ41 and the Explorer 2. Then the new AT came along. As I’m getting close to ending my working career the need for a dress type watch becomes less prevalent. I know the DJ is considered a sport watch but I feel it’s more dress up than down. I do like the pop of colour the AT and Exp 2 have. A couple of concerns I have are the size and the bracelets. They’re both big and according to some posts on WUS the Exp 2 wears bigger than its 42mm. The AT looks big also but for some reason it looks smaller on the bracelet in your photos. The lack of adjustment on the AT could be an issue. I do like and use the Easylink on my Exp 1. Both bracelets are polished but like you say above they’re meant to be worn. I was looking at the AT 38mm but they don’t have the same dial/hand combo. After Xmas is over I’ll have to visit some AD’s and try them on. This years bonus may not be as big as previous years but I’ve been putting some money aside as well. Whatever I buy it will be the last big purchase, sadly retiring will give me more time to look at and research watches but the funds will no longer be available. Wait for me to tire of the GS and I’ll make you a deal on that lol.
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Baco Noir
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Post by Baco Noir on Dec 19, 2017 12:14:48 GMT -6
Wow! Thanks and damn you! Those pictures of the AT are fantastic. My next big purchase watch will be a silver/white dial model, something the collection is lacking. The current contenders are the DJ41 and the Explorer 2. Then the new AT came along. As I’m getting close to ending my working career the need for a dress type watch becomes less prevalent. I know the DJ is considered a sport watch but I feel it’s more dress up than down. I do like the pop of colour the AT and Exp 2 have. A couple of concerns I have are the size and the bracelets. They’re both big and according to some posts on WUS the Exp 2 wears bigger than its 42mm. The AT looks big also but for some reason it looks smaller on the bracelet in your photos. The lack of adjustment on the AT could be an issue. I do like and use the Easylink on my Exp 1. Both bracelets are polished but like you say above they’re meant to be worn. I was looking at the AT 38mm but they don’t have the same dial/hand combo. After Xmas is over I’ll have to visit some AD’s and try them on. This years bonus may not be as big as previous years but I’ve been putting some money aside as well. Whatever I buy it will be the last big purchase, sadly retiring will give me more time to look at and research watches but the funds will no longer be available. Wait for me to tire of the GS and I’ll make you a deal on that lol. Looks dirty for a "Chip" watch - I'd ask for a bigger discount!
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CHIP
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Post by CHIP on Dec 19, 2017 12:19:53 GMT -6
Baco Noir it’s been on my wrist since Thursday, and this is its third country since. Fourth if you count US.
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Post by muckymark on Dec 19, 2017 20:32:49 GMT -6
Wow! Thanks and damn you! Those pictures of the AT are fantastic. My next big purchase watch will be a silver/white dial model, something the collection is lacking. The current contenders are the DJ41 and the Explorer 2. Then the new AT came along. As I’m getting close to ending my working career the need for a dress type watch becomes less prevalent. I know the DJ is considered a sport watch but I feel it’s more dress up than down. I do like the pop of colour the AT and Exp 2 have. A couple of concerns I have are the size and the bracelets. They’re both big and according to some posts on WUS the Exp 2 wears bigger than its 42mm. The AT looks big also but for some reason it looks smaller on the bracelet in your photos. The lack of adjustment on the AT could be an issue. I do like and use the Easylink on my Exp 1. Both bracelets are polished but like you say above they’re meant to be worn. I was looking at the AT 38mm but they don’t have the same dial/hand combo. After Xmas is over I’ll have to visit some AD’s and try them on. This years bonus may not be as big as previous years but I’ve been putting some money aside as well. Whatever I buy it will be the last big purchase, sadly retiring will give me more time to look at and research watches but the funds will no longer be available. Wait for me to tire of the GS and I’ll make you a deal on that lol. So next week then....LOL
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Post by carl on Dec 19, 2017 20:57:11 GMT -6
By the way the jumping hour hand has been used on Omegas back as far as the SMP Great White and black GMT models. Those use the Cal. 1120, which is also an 11.5 ligne movement, so they could have fit this to the 8800. This is the hour wheel that provides that functionality - it's 2 wheels in one: There is a ratchet type system that allows the upper part of the wheel, that the hand is attached to, to move independently of the lower part of the wheel. The lower part of the wheel is being driven by the time train, so that is how the hand moves normally just as the watch is running. With the crown pulled out one spot there is a mechanism that allows the upper potion of the wheel to move in one hour increments. When the ratcheting mechanism between the two parts of the wheel fails, then the whole thing starts acting up, and the hour hand stops moving. One example here... I always replace this wheel every time one of these comes in for a service, just as a precaution. I serviced one of these once and didn't change the wheel (it worked and felt fine at the time) but then 3 weeks later it failed, and I took the watch back and fixed it under warranty. So now I just change it regardless of how good it works, as the $20 for the new wheel saves everyone a lot of hassles. Cheers, Al Thanks, Al. This is great info. I am going to share it with a couple of guys at the Omega Boutique. They are really very knowledgeable and helpful, but even they don't know or realize everything. Maybe they are not aware of this, and will be happy to know. Cheers, Carl
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Post by carl on Dec 26, 2017 6:12:10 GMT -6
Boxing Day, 2017. Wide awake at 4am. Finally came to my senses! I am actually going to be able to get my hands on a 60th Anniversary LE Railmaster. And I will be going to the Omega Boutique today to put down a deposit. It occurred to me when I woke up, how ridiculous it would be for me not to get this watch. After so many years of flipping so many Omega watches, I am finally able to get a model that I wished and hoped Omega would re-introduce. I recall looking at photos of the vintage pieces, which look identical to this LE model. This is a photo taken about a week ago. Hopefully, sooner than later, I will have one of these of my own: The decision to not get this watch would likely be one I would regret for a long, long time! Cheers, Carl
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Baco Noir
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Post by Baco Noir on Dec 26, 2017 9:22:54 GMT -6
Very cool Carl. That has the best dial of the variants I’ve seen.
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