Omega Caliber 3888 Watch Movement

Manufacturer	Omega
Caliber Number	3888, 3888A
Exclusive?	Yes
Movement Type	Automatic, self-winding mechanical chronograph
Certified Chronometer?	Yes (via COSC)
Linges	13.25”’
Diameter	30mm
Thickness	8.88mm
Jewels	33
Beats Per Hour	28,800 vph, 4Hz
Lift Angle	39 degrees (use Co-Axial compatible timing machine)
Power Reserve	~52 hours
Shock Protection	Nivashock
Escapement	Co-Axial
Balance	Free sprung
Hand-Windable?	Yes
Functions	Central hours, central minutes, central chronograph seconds, horizontal “Olympic rings” subdials with a small running seconds, 7 day chronograph counter, day of the week, 12 hour counter, 30 minutes counter (listed from left to right), date window at 6:00
Hacking Seconds?	Yes
Country of Manufacture	Switzerland, Swiss made
Known Models	Omega Speedmaster Specialties Olympic Games Collection (ref: steel on bracelet 321.30.44.52.01.002; steel on leather 321.33.44.52.01.001; rose gold 321.53.44.52.01.001; yellow gold 321.53.44.52.01.002)

The Omega caliber 3888 is a Swiss made automatic chronograph movement with 33 jewels and a frequency of 4 Hz ( 28,800 beats per hour). The 3888 is a COSC certified chronometer and features Omega’s Co-Axial escapement. It is the first mechanical movement to display five chronograph counters on the dial. Note: The caliber number on the actual movement is 3888A. This movement was introduced in 8/2008.

Some of the topics covered in this caliber listing:

Speedmaster 5-Counters Chronograph:

The notable feature of the caliber 3888 is the unique complication that arranges the chronograph and day of the week subdials in a layout that forms the Olympic rings logo across the dial. The functions from left to right are as follows:

Small running seconds subdial
7 day chronograph counter dial
Day of the week subdial
12 hour chronograph counter subdial
30 minutes chronograph counter

Significance of the number 3888?

This caliber was developed for use only in the Speedmaster Olympics Games Collection model that was released in 2008 for the Summer Olympics in Beijing. The number 8 is an auspicious and lucky number in Chinese culture. Interestingly, this caliber is also 8.88mm tall and the rose gold versions of the watch is limited to only 88 pieces. The more 8’s the better!

Omega 3888 VS 3890:

While the caliber 3888 is unique in its display of subdials, there is a similar Omega caliber 3890 which was released around 2010. the 3890 has the same layout but the difference being the day of the week subdial: the 3888 has a hand pointing to the day of the week, the 3890 has a disc that displays the day of the week through a window.

Setting the Time and Calendar:

The caliber 3888 crown has three positions:

Position 1: Winding Position
Hand-winding position with the crown against the case (the watch with the caliber does not have a screw-down crown).

Position 2: Calendar Setting Position
To set the date, pull the crown out one click and turn the crown forward (clockwise). To set the day of the week, turn the crown backwards (counterclockwise).

Position 3: Time Setting Position
To set the time, pull the crown out two clicks and turn the crown forwards and backwards. The movement has a hacking mechanism, so the seconds hand will stop while in time setting mode.

Note: To avoid unwanted damage, the day and date should not be adjusted while the hands are between 10:00PM and 2:00AM.

Chronograph Sequence:

The caliber 3888 has a traditional chronograph button sequence: top, top, bottom.

Press the top button to start the chronograph, press the top button again to stop it. Repeat as needed.
Press the bottom button to reset the chronograph hand and counters to zero.

Note: Only press the bottom pusher (reset) when the chronograph is stopped. Never press the two pushers at the same time.

Lift Angle and Timing Machines:

As listed in the specs chart above, the lift angle for the caliber 3888 is 39 degrees. To get an accurate amplitude reading on your watch, your timing machine has to be compatible with Co-Axial movements (such as the Weishi 1900, not the 1000). More information can be found on the Co-Axial page here.

In Omega’s Own Words:

“Exclusive OMEGA movement, COSC-certified chronometer, self-winding, small second at 9 o’clock, instantaneous date and day. Indication of date with date indicator and day with small hand in the centre of dial. 7-day chronograph: chrono second in the middle, minute counter at 3 o’clock, hour counter at 4.30 o’clock and 7-day counter at 7.30 o’clock. Co-axial escapement with 3-level co-axial wheel: impulse wheel, impulse pinion and drive pinion. Balance without index, with four external regulating screws. Patented setting system to reinforce hairspring at stud, twisted hairspring. New generation of Nivashocks shock-absorber. Luxury decoration, côtes de Genève, red engraving.”

Note: Omega refers to this caliber as being “exclusive” but it has not been confirmed whether it was developed completely in-house by Omega, or if it is based on another movement’s framework. Is it based on the ETA/Valjoux 7750? If you have insight to this, please share in the comments below.