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I was just looking at the 44.25mm 3313 powered Omega Speedmaster again (as I really want a decent sized Speedy), but the alleged fragility of the 3313 movement is still putting me off. Apparently, Omega have gone some way to fix the initial issues with the 3313 family of movements, but that doesn't get away from the fact that it's quite delicately designed.

HOWEVER, while ploughing around the net looking for more info, I came across this little gem on http://new-omega-watch-reviews.blogspot.com/. I don't think this information's been posted on here before, but apologies if it has. Anyway I've cribbed this directly from the site mentioned above so hope they don't mind!

"Having alluded earlier this year to a production date of 2011, Steven Urquhart, Omega’s CEO, has confirmed during a series of public statements this month that the long-awaited in-house chronograph movement will make its debut at Baselworld next year.

The new chronograph mechanism will not piggyback on top of a calibre 8500 series movement, and will be new from the bottom plate up. It will however copy the 8500's double-barrel power system, will incorporate three level coaxial technology and retain the now familiar column wheel configuration.

This new 14 lignes calibre with a power reserve of sixty hours – slated to be called the 9300 and 9301 - will replace the somewhat effete Piguet chronograph movements in all men’s watches. The Piguet 3313 will be enhanced with three-level co-axial technology and will find a home in women’s chronographs. Having once observed that weighing the mighty calibre 1861 against the Piguet chronographs was like comparing a builder’s labourer to a ballet dancer, I applaud the decision to build a more robust men’s chronograph movement.

Omega has acknowledged the need for a more sturdy chronograph movement with an emphasis on quality and reliability, the subtext of which is that the Piguet series did not live up to such benchmarks. The decision is yet another signal of Omega’s trajectory towards a manufacturing ethos that gave the brand such an unassailable reputation in production watchmaking in the nineteen-fifties and sixties.

I think that Omega aficionados will have much to anticipate at Baselworld next year."

So if they put this new chronograph in the 44.25mm case, it could IMO herald the arrival of the PERFECT Speedmaster! (Obviously I'm not a "purist" in terms of it having to be the manual wind Professional, etc )

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Driver8

Site Moderator

That is good news, and sorely needed. Interesting that the Piguet based 3313 is getting the co-axial escapement as well - Omega are obviously very pleased with it. Hard to imagine why George Daniels had so much trouble convincing anyone to buy it.

Whoa. Nice find D8. I'm going to have to keep an eye on this.

An in-house movement would definitely make the Speedy a little more interesting to me, especially if it was in a larger case. Nice find, Driver8.

-Craig

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Chronomat 01- Sierra Silver/Steel
Navitimer 01- Limited Edition #1337/2000

I'm partial to the PO but an in-house speedy would be interesting. Thanks for the update D8.

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Happines is Good Health and a Bad Memory.
"Ingrid Bergman"