Omega

I bought twelve years old Speedmaster Moon Watch Caliber1861, recently. It is in perfect condition. It was loosing exactly 1 minute a day, although it is difficult to say as it doesn't have hacking seconds hand. I had it serviced by good independent watchmaker, and now it is loosing 20 seconds a day.
I wonder if anyone knows how accurate this watches are, in other words what should I expect.
Also, would servicing by Omega mean better accuracy?

Here is my cents. I'm sure that a more experienced person can offer a more solid advise.

The Moon Watch movement, 861/1861 etc. cannot be called a chronometer (or being COSC certified) because, IMHO,  is a movement that is designed for sturdiness and dependability but not for accuracy.
I had several Moon watches and not a single one had a great accuracy.
You should also consider that the 1861 movement is "low beat" (21,600 A/h) and this, according to many sources, makes the accuracy a suffers a little.

Looking on the Omega documentation , for the 861 - I do not have this information for the 1861, shows that is acceptable to have a 22 seconds difference after 24 hours. (I may misinterpreted this information - I'm not a watchmaker).
In the past, I mentioned this to my watchmaker and his comment was "it varies, depends on the watch, many factors".

In general terms, after a watch that uses a 861 is fully serviced, I check the movement, using a calibrated Witschi tester, before taking the watch from my watchmaker hands and he knows that I go to do this test.
I consider a Moon 861/1861 to be OK if the deviation is less than 8 seconds/day (for a non-vintage movement).

If you are looking for great precision, I dare to recommend other Omega movements - they have many very accurate movements.
All Co-Axial equipped that I had, were outstanding performers and (now I go to attract some flames) the ones that uses the 3303 are also marvelous on this matter.
I had one Speedmaster powered by a 3303 that was flat on 0 seconds/day for several days!!

Finally - I never had a watch serviced by Omega directly. I trust, much more, on my watchmaker (that was also trained by Omega) for this kind of services.

Cheers

Hi,

I think Cal. 861 as well as Cal 321 are among the most accurate chronograph movements I ever owned!

I have both of them and both are running within a range of about 3-4 seconds a day - so I do adjustment of time only once a week

You just have to be patient when regulating/adjusting the movement and you might achieve similar results.

Just my experience

Erich

firstly accuracy is quite often different for different people due to the type of movement and positioning of your wrist during the day, but 20 secs is not acceptable for me. i have 3 very vintage 321 calibres and 1 1861 calibre all of which are accurate to within a few secs a day. when your watch was serviced and regulated it would have been accurate on the machine, but as above, how you wear it is more important.

the 1861 calibre is very easy to adjust using the regulater. all you need to do is undo the back and move the regulater towards the A side. each mark should alter the timing by about 5 seconds. check where the seconds are and wear it for 24 hours then check again, continue doing this until you have the accuracy you require. i've done this with several different brands and can get them to about 1-2 secs a day.

alternatively, if you dont feel confident doing it yourself, go back to the service centre, explain and ask them to regulate it to suit your use.

i dont have a pic of my 1861, but the 321 regulater is the same. 

i hope that helps

Graham

Thank you very much Graham! I think the only way for me to make gradual adjustments would be to do it myself, as you suggested, or I would need to make frequent trips to the watchmaker. So, the next question is, how do you open the case; what tool do you use?
With thanks.
Dragan Mikki

Thank you again. I will let you know how I get on with it when i get the tool. I also realized that I need something for removing the bracelet too.

Dragan

... is certainly achievable. Do you know about the service history of your watch? If you are consistently fast (by the same amount each day) then simple regulation is all that is required.

I have an 11 year old Ref. 3572.50 (hesalite-sapphire sandwich) with a Cal. 1863 and it consistently runs at 1 or 2 seconds fast per day. It has become the 'crisis watch'. The one I wear under difficult circumstances when I don't want to worry about accuracy, precision or comfort. It just works.

Hope you can get yours performing the same ...

Regards

Andrew

First of all, thank you all for your helpful contribution. Everything mentioned makes sense and I will certainly try to regulate the precision of this lovely watch. Someone mentioned the service history, and that could be the problem, as from new, meaning for twelve years this watch hasn't been serviced at all. However, the watchmaker who did service it, didn't mention any internal damage. If I manage to get it to gain few seconds a day instead of loosing few seconds a day I will be very happy. If I don't, it will still not be the deal breaker as I think that uniqueness of it's character in today's world of hurried imitations makes it stand out from the crowd, even after nearly fifty years. Not to mention it's historic significance! If only Omega didn't make so many variations.
Thank you all again.
Dragan Mikki

Considering that I have a watchmaker who have been able to get all my vintage Omegas running well within COSC specs, I suppose I need to time mine. Will report back in 24 hours. Have never had this serviced or regulated since acquiring preowned about 4 years ago (It was as new).

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Hi,

I recommend that you don´t send it to Omega, it will cost you a leg and an arm!

Every good watchmaker will be able to do the regulating for a fraction of the amount which Omega will take from you.

It is better to buy another watch with this money!

regards

Erich

That's what my 1967 321 does - far better than I'd expected it to as they were never chronometers. 

My 1966 Seamaster 300 managed +/- 0 sec/day at the last count - and not even COSC

Yes your Speedie should do/could do better

Cheers

Andrew