Customer Service: FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Seamaster
What is the difference between the Seamaster Professional watches with the reference numbers 2220.80.00, 2222.80.00, 2221.80.00 and 2223.80.00 ? What is the function of the helium escape valve on the Seamaster Professional watches?Which Seamaster watch is the James Bond watch?Speedmaster
How do I use the tachymeter on Speedmaster watches? Which Speedmaster is the original Moon Watch? Why is the Speedmaster Professional "Moon Watch" fitted with a hesalite crystal?Other FAQ
How can I be sure I am buying a genuine OMEGA watch?What is the difference between a chronograph and a chronometer?What are the functions of the pushbuttons on a chronograph?What is the difference between a self-winding and a manual-winding movement?Are OMEGA watches shock-resistant ?Are OMEGA watches resistant to magnetic fields ?Are OMEGA's gold watches made of solid gold or are they gold-plated?Are OMEGA watches sold over the Internet?Can I wear an OMEGA stainless steel watch if I am allergic to nickel? What are the precision tolerances for an OMEGA chronometer?Why is the luminosity of OMEGA watches so intense and so long?What is the power reserve for a self-winding mechanical OMEGA watch and how does it work?To what depth are OMEGA watches water resistant?What should I do to ensure that my watch continues to provide excellent service for many years?What are the service intervals?Is it true that OMEGA watches are designed for life?Why does OMEGA not deliver spare parts directly to its customers?Why does OMEGA not repurchase vintage watches?How can I obtain the Official chronometer certificate (COSC) for my new OMEGA watch with chronometer certified movementWhat are the precision tolerances for other OMEGA mechanical watches ? What are the precision tolerances for OMEGA quartz watches ?When does the date of most OMEGA watches change?Seamaster
What is the difference between the Seamaster Professional watches with the reference numbers 2220.80.00, 2222.80.00, 2221.80.00 and 2223.80.00 ?
The gents' Seamaster Professional watches are available in two sizes: the standard size, with a diameter of 41 mm, and the mid-size, with a diameter of 36.25 mm. The Seamaster watches are equipped with either a self-winding or quartz movement.
2220.80.00: standard size with a self-winding movement
2222.80.00: mid-size with a self-winding movement
2221.80.00: standard size with a quartz movement
2223.80.00: mid-size with a quartz movement
What is the function of the helium escape valve on the Seamaster Professional watches?
The helium escape valve was specially developed by OMEGA for use by professional divers. During deep-sea dives lasting several days, divers operate from diving bells. Prior to surfacing, these bells are filled with a mixture of helium and oxygen. The helium molecules are lighter than air and can therefore penetrate the watch in sufficient quantity to push out the crystal at atmospheric pressure levels. This can be avoided by opening the valve during resurfacing, which allows the helium to escape but prevents water from entering the watch.
Which Seamaster watch is the James Bond watch?
The Seamaster Professional Diver 300 M was worn by James Bond in five Bond movies.
These Seamasters are made of stainless steel on a stainless steel bracelet, fitted with a blue dial, unidirectional rotating bezel with blue ring and a sapphire crystal. They have a diameter of 41 mm and are waterproof to 300 metres. In Casino Royale, before Bond was assigned his 00 status (“license to kill”), he was wearing a Seamaster Planet Ocean with a diameter of 45.5 mm.In Quantum of Solace, James Bond wears a Seamaster Planet Ocean 600 M with OMEGA’s revolutionary Co-axial technology and water resistance to 600 metres (2000 feet). It has a diameter of 42 mm and a dramatic black dial.
1995 Golden Eye
Seamaster Diver 300 M (Reference 2541.80.00, sold out)
1997 Tomorrow Never Dies
Seamaster Diver 300 M (Reference 2531.80.00, sold out)
1999 The World Is Not Enough
Seamaster Diver 300 M (Reference 2531.80.00, sold out)
2002 Die Another Day
Seamaster Diver 300 M (Reference 2531.80.00, sold out)
2006 Casino Royale
Seamaster Diver 300 M (Reference 2220.80.00)
Seamaster Planet Ocean (Reference 2900.50.91)
2008 Quantum of Solace
Seamaster Planet Ocean (Reference 2201.50.00)
Speedmaster
How do I use the tachymeter on Speedmaster watches?
A tachymeter is an instrument for measuring speed. It is a chronograph with a graduated dial on which speed can be read off in kilometres per hour based on 1000 metres distance.
How to read an observation on the tachymeter: Only the central chronograph seconds-hand is used. For observations of a longer duration, the indications of the timers (minutes and hours) count.
Example for calculating the speed of a car: The chronograph indicates that the distance of one kilometre has been covered in 30 seconds. The corresponding point on the tachymeter scale indicates 120. The speed is therefore 120 km per hour.
Which Speedmaster is the original Moon Watch?
The Speedmaster Professional with reference number 3570.50.00 is the original Moon Watch. This model is made of stainless steel on a stainless steel bracelet, fitted with a black dial and a hesalite crystal. It is waterproof to 30 metres/100 feet and is equipped with the calibre 1861 manual-winding movement.
Why is the Speedmaster Professional "Moon Watch" fitted with a hesalite crystal?
The Speedmaster Professional is worn by astronauts in outer space. When NASA chose this watch, they requested a hesalite crystal, which "unlike a sapphire crystal" does not break into tiny fragments on impact.This feature is very important for astronauts, as the tiny fragments of a broken sapphire crystal would pose a danger in a zero-gravity environment.
Other FAQ
How can I be sure I am buying a genuine OMEGA watch?
You can be sure you are buying a genuine OMEGA watch if you follow these steps:
- buy an OMEGA watch only from authorised OMEGA retailers
- ask for the credit-card size warranty, duly completed with the 8-digit serial number, the watch reference and the retailer's full name and address
- if you want to know whether a watch is genuine, please send us the 8-digit serial number which is engraved on the outer edge of the watch case-back. We can then compare your information with our official records to determine whether the watch is a genuine OMEGA. Contact us
What is the difference between a chronograph and a chronometer?
A chronograph is a watch with hands that display hours, minutes and seconds, together with a mechanism for measuring elapsed time by means of a central chronograph hand, which records seconds, and 30-minute and 12-hour totalisers. A chronometer is a watch that has obtained an official rate certificate from the COSC (Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute) after having passed precision tests in different positions and at different temperatures, as well as water-resistance tests. These tests are conducted over a 15-day period.
What are the functions of the pushbuttons on a chronograph?
The push button at 2 o'clock is to start or stop the chronograph function and the push button at 4 o'clock is for resetting the chronograph.
What is the difference between a self-winding and a manual-winding movement?
The difference between these two movements is the way in which the watch is wound up. Manual-winding watches must be wound by hand every day, whereas self-winding watches are wound by an internal rotor which responds to wrist movements. Self-winding watches usually have a power reserve of at least 40 hours and therefore have sufficient energy reserves to maintain a stable rate when the watch is not being worn (e.g. overnight).
Are OMEGA watches shock-resistant ?
Yes. OMEGA watches are shock-resistant to 5000 g
Are OMEGA watches resistant to magnetic fields ?
Yes. OMEGA watches are anti-magnetic in accordance with the definitions of the ISO 764 standard. This standard is based on the accidental passage of a watch in a magnetic field of 4,800A/m, i.e. 0.006 Tesla. As part of the ISO 764 test, the watch is placed in a magnetic field along 3 different axes, for one minute each time:
- Parallel to the plan-view of the watch, in the direction from 3 o'clock to 9 o'clock
- Then in the direction from 6 o'clock to 12 o'clock
- Then along an axis perpendicular to the plan-view of the watch.
In order to pass the test, a mechanical watch should not stop within the three periods indicated above. The effect of the residual magnetism should not exceed 30 seconds per day for a gents watch and 45 seconds per day for a ladies watch.
Are OMEGA's gold watches made of solid gold or are they gold-plated?
All OMEGA's gold watches (red, white or yellow gold) are made of 18-carat solid gold.
Are OMEGA watches sold over the Internet?
OMEGA watches are only sold through our network of selected retail outlets. Companies offering OMEGA watches on the Internet are not authorised OMEGA retailers.
Can I wear an OMEGA stainless steel watch if I am allergic to nickel?
The materials used by OMEGA are subjected to severe tests in order to avoid this problem. The stainless steel used by OMEGA does contain nickel, but this must first be transferred from the material to the skin before an allergy is triggered. Our stainless steel is so stable that it does not release nickel and is therefore safe for allergy sufferers. The only exception is for those who are hyper-sensitive to stainless steel, i.e. those who cannot cook or eat with stainless steel utensils. In this case, we recommend you buy a watch which is made of titanium.
What are the precision tolerances for an OMEGA chronometer?
To earn the title of chronometer, the mechanical movement’s average daily variation in rate must be between -4/+6 seconds per day, or a precision of 99.99%, the highest precision attainable by a mechanical movement. The precision of a mechanical movement depends on the individual habits of the wearer and can therefore vary. A qualified OMEGA watchmaker can adjust the precision of a watch to within the OMEGA tolerances, which are from -1 to +6 seconds per day.
Why is the luminosity of OMEGA watches so intense and so long?
OMEGA uses Super-LumiNova material for the dials and hands for all the watches. The Super-LumiNova material takes its luminescence from daylight or any artificial source of light. The watch should therefore be exposed to bright light in order to ensure the luminescence of the dial and hands in the dark, i.e. during the night. The luminescence decreases with hours but it is restored as soon as the watch is exposed to bright light.
What is the power reserve for a self-winding mechanical OMEGA watch and how does it work?
The functioning of a self-winding mechanical OMEGA movement depends on the wrist movements of the wearer. When fully wound, the watch will usually have a power reserve of around 44 hours. Since the watch's self-winding mechanism is directly linked to the wearer's activity, 10 to 12 hours' wear should be sufficient to generate a power reserve of 20 hours or more, which ensures that the watch will continue to run throughout the night.However, if a watch has not been worn for several days and its power reserve has thus run low, we recommend you wind the watch manually for around 15 rotations of the crown (clockwise) to ensure the best possible rate from the outset.
To what depth are OMEGA watches water resistant?
OMEGA watches are water resistant to 30, 50, 100, 120, 150, 200, 300 or 600 metres, depending on the type of watch.
PDF water resistence chart
What should I do to ensure that my watch continues to provide excellent service for many years?
Magnetic fields: avoid placing your watch on speakers or refrigerators, since these have strong magnetic fields.
Bathing in the sea: always rinse your watch with warm water afterwards.
Shocks: whether thermal or other, avoid them.
Crown: screw it in carefully to ensure that no water enters the mechanism.
Cleaning: for metal bracelets and for all water-resistant cases use a toothbrush with soapy water and a soft cloth for drying.
Chemical products: avoid direct contact with solvents, detergents, perfumes, cosmetic products etc., since they may damage the bracelet, the case or the gaskets.
Temperatures: avoid extreme temperatures (above 60C, or 140F, below 0C, or 32F) or extreme temperature changes.
What are the service intervals?
Like any high-precision instrument, a watch needs to be services regularly in order for it to work perfectly. Obviously, we cannot indicate the intervals for such work, given that it depends entirely on the model, climate and the care taken by the watch's owner. As a general rule, it is between 4 and 5 years, depending on the use of the watch.
Is it true that OMEGA watches are designed for life?
OMEGA guarantees repairs and the delivery of spare parts for its watches for at least 20 years from the date production is discontinued. Beyond this time, OMEGA will do its utmost to ensure collectors' items and vintage watches can be repaired.
Why does OMEGA not deliver spare parts directly to its customers?
For technical and quality reasons, we do not deliver individual spare parts directly to our customers. The OMEGA world service centres are available to all customers and offer a professional service, carried out in accordance with OMEGA's high quality standards.
Why does OMEGA not repurchase vintage watches?
OMEGA does not repurchase vintage watches or watches that have been worn. We recommend that anyone interested in selling their watch contact their local antique dealer or auction house.
How can I obtain the Official chronometer certificate (COSC) for my new OMEGA watch with chronometer certified movement
Every chronometer-certified OMEGA timepiece is delivered with the chronometer card confirming that the watch passed the chronometer tests successfully. Upon receipt of a copy of the OMEGA international warranty card, which must be dated, fully and correctly completed and stamped by an official OMEGA dealer, we shall gladly provide the official chronometer certificate (COSC) for your OMEGA timepiece. This document will be requested from the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute and issued against a payment of CHF 50.--. Contact us
What are the precision tolerances for other OMEGA mechanical watches ?
The majority of watches that do not have a chronometer certificate have average precision tolerances of between -1/+11 seconds per day.
The precision of a mechanical movement depends on the individual habits of the wearer and can therefore vary. A qualified OMEGA watchmaker can adjust the precision of a watch to within the OMEGA tolerances.
What are the precision tolerances for OMEGA quartz watches ?
All OMEGA quartz movements are produced in accordance with OMEGA’s highly renowned procedures and quality standards. Ambient temperature may affect the precision of quartz movements, which can lead to variations of between -0.5 and +0.7 seconds per day.
When does the date of most OMEGA watches change?
OMEGA uses the slow and the quick date-change systems:
Slow date-change on calibres 1128, 1150-1-2, 1164, 1270, 1379, 1400, 1424, 1426, 1429, 1430, 1432 , 1438 , 1441, 1449, 1479, 1530, 1532, 1538, 1675, 2520, 2600, 2628, 3603, 3606.
OMEGA uses the slow date-change system so that the date-change is clearly visible around midnight and that there is no confusion as to the moment of the date-change. The date of the ending day can be seen in full until 11.30 pm. At midnight, the date of the ending day is still entirely visible at the bottom of the date window, with the new date appearing at the top of the window. Then, the new date moves down through the window and the previous day’s date gradually disappears. This operation is completed between 1 and 3 am.
Avoid changing the date manually between 8 pm and 2 am, since this is the period during which the automatic date-change is in operation.
Quick date-change on calibres 1120, 2300, 2500, 2601, 2610, 2627, 3221, 3301-3, 3320, 3313, 3612.
OMEGA uses the quick date-change system, which starts to change the date at about 11.30 pm and comes to its end at 00.10 am. The date of the ending day can be seen in full until 11.50 pm. Between a period of 10 minutes before and after midnight, the calendar jumps and lets appear the date of the next day.
Avoid changing the date manually between 08 pm and 2 am, since this is the period during which the automatic date-change is in operation.