Omega Coaxial Calibers Summary

Omega Co-Axial Calibers

In Omega’s own words:

“The introduction of the OMEGA Co-Axial escapement in 1999 signalled a revolution in modern mechanical watchmaking. It was the first practical new watch movement to be launched for 250 years, and was the best performing and the most beautiful series-produced movement in the world. OMEGA Co-Axial chronometers are now achieving levels of performance previously unimagined for series-production mechanical watches. The Swiss watchmaker has produced a leap in mechanical efficiency that ensures more stable precision, and OMEGA technology has yet again marked a turning point in the history of mechanical watchmaking.” -Omega

Omega Co-Axial Calibers Summary:

This card showing the Omega Co-Axial Calibers by Family was given out during a Universite of Omega training event for authorized dealers. It is a sort of cheat sheet for sales staff to quickly find Co-Axial equipped watches when serving customers.

Omega Coaxial Calibers Summary

Omega Coaxial Calibers By Family

CoAxial calibers on this card:

Note: The calibers on the Omega training card and listed above are in-house movements with the Co-Axial escapement. They are not the only Omega movements to use the Co-Axial escapement. Since the time this laminated card was produced, more calibers have been released, but it’s a cool relic nonetheless. If you know of an Omega Co-Axial caliber not listed here, please add it to the comments below.

Co-Axial Lift Angles:

The typical watch movement has a lift angle of 52 degrees, but you try to put your Co-Axial watch on the timing machine with that lift angle, you’re going to get an amplitude that is way off.

Most of the 8000 family of in-house Omega movements with the Co-Axial escapement have a lift angle of 38 degrees, but this can vary. For example, some such as the calibers 8806 and 8807 have a lift angle of 36 degrees. Some Co-Axial movements caliber 3888 call for a lift angle of 39 degrees.

Co-Axial Timing Machines:

Despite setting your timing machine to the correct lift angle, you will first need to make sure your machine is compatible with Co-Axial equipped watches.

According to Omega tech sheets, timing a coaxial watch on a timegrapher requires the correct machine. With the older Witschi machines like the red case Watch Expert, Chronoscope M1 (old version), and the Wicometre Professionel models, the amplitude readout will not be measured correctly.

If you are using Witschi timegraphers, you will want to use the newer white case Watch Expert II, Watch Expert III, Chronoscope M1 (updated version). Chronoscope S1, or Chronoscope X1 models for correct measurements. Note that the test mode should be set to <Spe1> on your machine.

Most folks will be using a Weishi or other Chinese made timing machine, rather than the Swiss Witschi timers. If you have not yet purchased a timing machine and you want to be sure to get the newer No. 1900 model  for timing coaxial watches.


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James
James
4 years ago

8900

JK
JK
3 years ago

Great info . Have enjoyed a trouble free super accurate Seamaster mid size chronometer for many years. Just got a new de Ville power reserve with 2500 co axial. Not the most upmarket omega movement. Runs very accurate, but having seen the design, even modified, the physics of co axial seem to me to be inescapable – the mechanism means there is a physical impact on a small surface which looks to be higher energy than Swiss lever escapement. Re design and improvement have made this better, but I have doubts. Having said that I am not expert or sure… Read more »

Ali
Ali
3 years ago
Reply to  JK

How Do I choose the best Movement for the watch I want to assemble? The first watch of my life well after the one my father gifted to me many years ago . I am looking for quarts and chronometer . Best

Alan Ashdown
Alan Ashdown
3 years ago

9900 fitted to the Speedmaster Racing 329.32.44.51.01.001

Paul Diplock
Paul Diplock
3 years ago

The co axial escapement was invented by George Daniels and English watchmaker.

trackback
Omega Caliber 3888 Watch Movement | Caliber Corner
2 years ago

[…] 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. […]

Phillip M. Manti
Phillip M. Manti
1 year ago

Thanks for the Co-Axial “lift angle” recommendations. I have the 1900 Timegrapher but was using the 52 degree lift angle and I obviously received erroneous info.

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