My Omega 150M Aqua Terra Co-Axial Chronograph Chronometer - Say that 3 times fast....

Every collector loves a well made complicated watch and if it is made by a well respected maker so much the better.  I know that this watch will not be rare or vintage, but I like it none the less.  It also tops out the scale for me on price.  I came across it in a local pawn shop.  I know some people think that pawn shops are full of fake Rolex watches but in honesty they try to never take a fake.  Can’t make an honest buck selling a fake.

The description of the watch is so lengthy but it is a long descriptive name.  It is an Omega Aqua Terra Co-Axial automatic chronograph chronometer.  The watch is as heavy in a way as its long name.  I know that on the Omega site they call it the Aqua Terra 150M or something but that is cutting it way short. But the band on the watch when I got it was nowhere near long.  The watch was just the watch alone when I bought it but the band was only suitable for someone with a 6 inch wrist.  I have a 7 inch wrist, small as it may be, was far too big even for this watch. 

So the impression I have of this watch at first is the imposing size and that unique styled dial.  Omega says it is supposed to remind us of the wood decks of old boats, does not seem to do that for me.  I like it anyways because I tend to not be a boat enthusiast.  The lines are crisp and flawless as one would expect from Omega.  The markings are a bit more complex to ever be called a simple dial.  The markers and hands are filled with a blue glowing lumen material.  The hands are good and sharp in design and very cleanly formed. 

The back has a very nice view of the 3313c movement.  Unlike the Planet Ocean model the Aqua Terra has the crystal to see the quality workmanship of the movement. This is not to be mistaken for the 3313 or 3313b movements.  What sets it apart is an upgrade Omega did to the escapement on the C. They went from a 2 level co-axial escapement to a 3 level to resolve some issues seen on the earlier versions.  Not all saw issues but this step was done to eliminate them. 

 

The movement is based on the F Piguet cal 1285 chronograph and then finished by Omega with its co-axial escapement.  There is debate on how good the Piguet movement is in robustness but from my experience with my watch it has stood up well and without issue.  But then I don’t wear it every day because I have a job where it may get a scratch.  I would not consider a watch of this quality a “beater” watch but I might if I had millions in the bank.

Chinese Quality - Beijing Everest B18

It has been a time from my last posting but I figured this watch will be one of the best ones to start posting about.  In the current atmosphere of Chinese watches starting to show higher and higher quality I decided it was time to jump in.  I decided though that if I was going to venture into the Chinese territory I may as well go with a good quality example. 

 

 

I had been eyeing the Everest series by Beijing Watch Factory for some time.  The manual wind B18 movement caught my attention based on my love of vintage watches.  The dial is clean and reminds me of the double sunk dials of the old RR pocket watches.

The hands are very nice looking vintage style and are well suited to the style of the dial and the sub seconds design.  The numbers are well defined and clear against the white background.  There is a very clear mark for the Beijing Watch Factory that can also be seen on the clasp of the stainless band.

The watch has a display back to showcase that fantastic looking movement.  The 18 jewel B18 movement is a well designed and executed one.  I don't see many manual wind modern watches with a jeweled barrel.  This is something one use to see in Waltham, Elgin, Illinois, and Hamilton pocket watches of the past.  They have the gold jewel settings (chatons) that are held in place with blued screws.  The design reminds me more of a ¾ plate you would find on English made JW Benson pocket watches.  The movement has a good strong even tick and keeps excellent time.

The overall finish of the case is very good.  It shows that they are making a good effort to make sure you are getting a very good deal for the amount you pay for one of these.  The company is also venturing into some realms of very complicated escapements and movements.  My opinion is that these watches are the opportunity to get into owing a watch from a good quality company and I am willing to gamble a chance of a watch that will appreciate in value.