OK, you all are Omega "experts": I'm not -- HELP!!

[Tunacan1958]

So, I'm deciding between a Double Eagle 2-tone constellation, automatic co-axial (WHICH I UNDERSTAND IS BEING DISCONTINUED), and a 2-tone Double Eagle quartz perpetual calendar. I do understand the obvious differences. However, as these watches look very alike, I'm a little uncertain on which way to go. Any thoughts? This will be my everyday watch. I know automatics are generally considered "better" watches, I'm just a bit put off my this model being discontinued. Again, any thoughts? I imagine all the hard core watch people probably will say, "get the automatic," but I'm curious is all. Believe me, I'm neither an expert or a collector. Anyway, any thoughts will be greatly appreciated.

[SpringDriven]

Do you never want to mess with setting the date?

Perpetual.

Do you never want to have a battery changed?

Automatic.

Do you never want to wind a watch and set the time after long periods of disuse?

Perpetual.

Will you wear it everyday?

Either.

Yes the Auto will need servicing, but you don't have to until it dies/runs really slow/runs fast and that could be a very long time.

Don't worry about a discontinued model. Omega has been around for a long time, so they will still service it for many years...

Hope this helps somewhat, but unless I know more specific questions that you might have, the end choice is which one you like better.

My personal opinion? I hate batteries, I don't own a single quartz that requires a battery. Except I want an X-33 and that really bothers me...

[FrankinCA]

as I stated in an earlier post, this might save you alot of$$$.

The Constellation series does not seem to sell as well as Speedmaster or Seamaster. AD's will discount heavily as a result.

Although I prefer autos, either one will suit your purposes.

Frank

[Tunacan1958]

Frank, thanks. Here' my quandry. I'm getting this watch directly from Omega, not an AD. This is because I had many problems with another DE Constellation Auto (it was only about 1.5 years old), and I guess they got tired of fixing it. SO, I need to pay them the difference between the retail of my current Omega (3,450) and whatever other watch I want (if higher) also retail. So, this means I'd need to shell out an additonal 1700 bucks for the automatic I want, as opposed to "just" 730 dollars for the perpetual calendar I would get. Both of these are 38 cms, with ss and gold. I guess the 1700 bucks strikes me as a lot of dough -- Which it is!! In effect, an extra grand for the auto.

[Tunacan1958]

[quote=Tunacan1958;846084]Frank, thanks. Here' my quandry. I'm getting this watch directly from Omega, not an AD. This is because I had many problems with another DE Constellation Auto (a stainless one, it was only about 1.5 years old), and I guess they got tired of fixing it. SO, I need to pay them the difference between the retail of my current Omega (3,450) and whatever other watch I want (if higher) also retail. So, this means I'd need to shell out an additonal 1700 bucks for the automatic I want, as opposed to "just" 730 dollars for the perpetual calendar I would get. Both of these are 38 cms, with ss and gold. I guess the 1700 bucks strikes me as a lot of dough -- Which it is!! In effect, an extra grand for the auto. That's my decision in effect.

[SpringDriven]

No thanks for me? I didn't help? :think:

If money is an issue, get the less expensive one. If money is not an issue, get the auto you want? Also, maybe getting the auto is a bad idea, since you had problems with the last one?

Please what do you want to know that would make you happy with one vs the other?

[Tunacan1958]

Damn, thanks. I can tell your frustrated with my indecision. I guess it is the dough, as well as having trouble with a previous Omega auto. I know this doen't occur alot. I mean, my past several watches have been automatics, it's just, uh, I dunno, some strange vibe is telling me go with the quartz. A little bit may be in that the auto as I've said is being discontinued. ...., I don't even know if Omega has any of them in the event that's the one I end up picking. Anyway, that's my story, and i suppose I must stick to it. So, which watch is "better"?

[SpringDriven]

If you are asking opinions, I would get the auto.

Better is relative:

1. Quartz requires less thought. No setting of the date, and maybe the time needs to be adjusted once a month or even less frequently. When it stops working, it needs a battery change. It is very resilient, always ready, but cold and calculated.

2. The Auto as you know since you have had several requires some maintenance. It needs to be worn to stay wound, it ticks, it has many moving parts it seems more romantic, needs the date changed on off months.

The auto is better from a watch standpoint, as it is very complex, and that is what you are paying money for. Quartz watches can be had in a Timex or a Casio. Good autos are not so easy to get.

Only when accuracy in telling time is mission critical or absolute dependancy on operating is the quartz better (when the battery is known good).

P.S. There are some special Quartzs out there that are very much worth owning. The one you mention sounds like a very accuarte quartz (thermocompensated) with a five year battery.

[FrankinCA]

In that case, I would go w/ the quartz. That sounds like a better deal.

Don't fret about it being quartz either. You'll have a fine solid watch. Glad to hear Omega is resolving this for you. Good luck and remember, it's just a watch. Don't drive yourself crazy about what you should get.

best,
Frank

[Noisy Nova]

I recommend the quartz and a manual wind Speedmaster to go with it. :-)

[E.F. Schwerin]

Well, I'm no help at all since I have both a Co-axial and the perpetual calendar model of this watch.

I originally bought the co-axial (stainless steel case with black dial) off the sales corner of another forum. I really like the style of this watch.

As has previously been pointed out this model doesn't enjoy the popularity of the Speedmaster or Seamaster. This translates into a very affordable price on the used market.

I am a regular visiter of the High End Quartz forum and I discovered that the quartz model has a very high end thermocompensated movement. The movement is USER ADJUSTABLE in increments of 0.33 seconds per month. When i found this out I had to acquire one. As luck would have it I found one on eBay for a great price. I love mechanical watches but I am an accuracy nut and learning that the quartz model was both extremely accurate and adjustable pushed me over the edge.

I find that the quartz model is becoming my everyday watch. I discovered that without adjusting the rate, the Omega was as good as the highly accurate "The Citizen" model from Citizen - better than 5 seconds per year.

I have tweaked mine and am waiting for enough time to pass so I can determine the rate.

If you will wear the watch occasionally get the quartz. If you love mechanical watches get the co-axial.

One last thought - if you do get the quartz stipulate that you receive one which has a seconds hand that lines up with the markers. Apparently this isn't something the Swiss care much about. However,I drives me crazy if the watch suffers from this problem.

[karwath]

Get the auto, it is the one you really want.

The money you "save" on the quartz will be nothing compared to not having the watch you want and then not being happy. If you get the auto and later decide you want the quartz you should be able to flip the auto for the quartz and some $.

As far as a watch that is being discontinued, recently it seems discountinued Omegas (300M Seamaster GMT, for example) all of a sudden have increased in popularity, and watches that could be had for healthy discounts a few months in the past suddenly sell at MSRP. :think:

Also look at the value 10 years from now. An auto will hold its value better compared to a quartz model.

[anonymousmoose]

I've got 2 Omega's and both are quartz. I don't see 'em as being any less of an Omega, some might disagree.

[mrsnak]

I've got 2 Omega's and both are quartz. I don't see 'em as being any less of an Omega, some might disagree.

I agree. Love my Seamaster 120 Quartz.

[WatchObsession]

I would not be worried one bit that the model is being discontinued, Omega can still overhaul watches from the 60's so I think there will be enough parts in the bin to repair either the quartz or auto you choose if ever they did go wrong.

Auto or Quartz - I think this is down to the $$$$$, and only you can determine the answer to that one.

Let us know how you get on.