test: omega speedmaster broad arrow - Kenberg.DK

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greater power reserves and thus yield greatersecurity, Omega conceived its Caliber 3303 tobe somewhat larger. The process could be interpretedas follows: Marc-André Miche tookover Frédéric Piguet’s ingenious chronographguidance mechanism more or less one-toone,then constructed around it a caliber endowedwith the qualities of the Omega 1120.The 3303 can build up a power reserve ofapproximately 55 hours. To ensure that theautomatic winding mechanism, which windsthe mainspring in only one direction, alwayswinds the spring efficiently and rapidly, thebarrel-drum has been lined with a special goldcoating. The resulting inner surface is bothhighly resistant and uncommonly smooth.This extraordinary smoothness means that themainspring within the barrel will build and dispenseits energy to the gear-train at a constantrate, without peaks or spikes. All of this givesthe Broad Arrow the ability to wind itselfquickly and reliably, and to maintain its powerThe Caliber 3303 isadjusted in six positions,at various temperatures andunder the influenceof magnetism. Naturally,the Broad Arrow has earneda C.O.S.C. certificate.reserve even if it’s worn by a fairly inanimateperson. A great many technical problems anddefects which plague mechanical watchmovements have their source in the barrel,but thanks to the elaborate treatment lavishedon Caliber 3303’s barrel, this shouldnow be a thing of the past.Because of the larger diameter of themovement (27 mm = 12 lignes), Omega wasable to install a larger balance in the Caliber3303. The balance used here runs at 28,800beats per hour, compared to 21,600 beats forthe Piguet 1185. The adjustment system usedin the Caliber 3303 is the same one that’s alsoimplemented in the Caliber 2500 with co-axialescapement. Omega describes this systemas ”swinging, free, spiral balance-spring withouta regulator-assembly.” The system is composedof a balance with a variable moment ofinertia and a Nivarox flat spiral spring. The rimof the balance bears two golden regulator micro-screwssituated at opposite ends of animagined diameter. The balance-spring ismade of the latest thermo-compensatingAnachron alloy. The terminal winding of thisall-important spring is protected againstshocks. The spring is already perfectly poisedand centered when it’s installed, thanks to thehelp of computers and laser-guided measuringinstruments. A laser is also used to permanentlyfuse the balance-spring to the collet. Ahighly precise gluing procedure is employed toDATA PAGEOMEGASPEEDMASTERBROAD ARROWManufacturer: Omega, S.A., Rue Stämpfli 96,CH-2500 Biel, SwitzerlandModel: Speedmaster Broad ArrowReference number: PIC 3551.20.00Functions: Shows hours, minutes, seconds anddate; chronograph with 30-minute and 12-hourcounters.Movement: Omega caliber 3303; diameter =27 mm (12 lignes); height = 6.85 mm;33 jewels; column-wheel slide-way to guidethe chronograph; 28,800 beats per hour; Swisslever escapement with swinging, free, spiralbalance-spring; Nivarox-Anachron flat balancespring;balance with smooth rim; fineregulation via two golden regulator microscrews;ball-borne heavy metal rotor windsmainspring in one direction of its rotation; onebarrel (Nivaflex 1 mainspring); 55-hour powerreserve (±5%); stop-seconds function;chronometer with C.O.S.C. certificate.Case: Massive, tripartite, steel case; threaded,screw-down back; crown and push-pieces aren’tscrew-down; inner surface of sapphire crystalhas an antireflective coating; water-resistant to100 meters.Wristband and clasp: Metal wristband withfolding clasp.Results of running test in seconds per24 hours:Parenthesized figures refer to performance withchronograph function switched on:Dial up: +2 (+1)Dial down: +1 (–1)Crown left: –1 (–1)Crown up: +1 (–2)Crown down: 0 (0)Greatest deviation of rate: 5 (3)Average deviation: 0 (–1)Dimensions: Diameter = 40 mm;height = 14 mm; weight = 161 grams.Price: $4,495Typically Speedmaster: viewed from the side, there’s no way to distinguish the Broad Arrow from the familiar hand-wound model.December 2001 WatchTime 129
TEST: OMEGA SPEEDMASTER BROAD ARROWOmega SpeedmasterAdvantages+ New chronograph caliber withsuperlative qualities+ An impeccable classic+ As water-resistant as a Seamaster+ Plenty of watch for comparativelylittle moneyDisadvantages– No transparent case backOptimal functionality and massive construction characterize the Broad Arrow’s metal wristband.pin the end of the balance-spring to its stud.The advantages are obvious: an adjustmentsystem with a conventional regulatorassemblyworks by lengthening or shorteningthe active portion of the balance-spring. ToIn the next few yearslook for a Caliber 3303equipped with a co-axialescapement orfly-back function.accomplish this, the balance-spring must beable to glide between the curb-pins with littleor no play. But a system of this kind is very sensitiveand, in theory, every successive strongshock suffered by the watch can cause its rateto deteriorate progressively. The aforementionedplay in the balance-spring is an”anisochronous” element in the adjustmentsystem. (”Isochronism” describes the ability ofan oscillating or adjustment system to alwaysoscillate at the same frequency, independentof its amplitude.) The free spiral balancespringis constructed so that it eliminates irregularitiesof rate caused by the anisochronismof the regulator-assembly. The fine adjustmentof the ratevia micro-screws furtherfacilitates an extremely precise and long-lastingcorrection of the running behavior. If thewatch runs slow, the micro-screws are tightenedslightly closer to the center of the balance,which decreases their moment of inertiaand accelerates the rate. Inversely, if thewatch runs fast, turning the micro-screws inthe opposite direction moves them slightlyfurther away from the center of the balance,thus increasing their moment of inertia anddecelerating the watch’s rate. When thewatch is given a general overhaul, the entireunit can readily be removed, serviced and reinserted.The unit thus preserves its originalproperties and does not require readjustment.The Caliber 3303 is adjusted in six positions,at various temperatures and under theinfluence of magnetism. As we mentionedabove, its isochronism is also thoroughly tested.The differences in rate that occur whenthe chronograph function is running orswitched off are extremely minimal, and theamplitude of the balance is scarcely affected.Naturally enough, the Broad Arrow hasearned a C.O.S.C. certificate.The caliber’s decoration includes circulargraining, Geneva Waves on the bridges andthe rotor, circularly polished wheels and polished-flatscrews. By the way, Omega hasmade all the necessary preparations so thatthe 3303 can also be equipped with a co-axialescapement. If the firm’s directors so desire,this could happen as early as next year. A versionwith fly-back switching is scheduled tofollow in 2002, and a split-seconds variant isslated to debut in 2003.A good look at of the Broad Arrow’s casemakes it abundantly clear that Omega hasn’trelaxed its exacting standards here either. We130 WatchTime December 2001
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