Omega's Biggest Mistake: Calibre 1000

Throughout every watch brand's history, mistakes are inevitable but, sometimes, they cost a company more than anyone could have imagined. Launched in 1968, Omega's cal. 1000 movement collection was intended to replace the old-school but widely revered Omega calibre 550 and it's relatives. Soon, the replacement became known for lower quality construction, and poor reliability whilst being Omega's last truly in-house standard movement.
But have we all been unfair to this historic movement behind some of the most iconic dials in the business? In this episode, I'd like to explore just why the calibre 1000 failed and whether it deserved such condemnation.
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Photo Credit (in order of first appearance): Omega SA / TAG Heuer S.A. / Rolex SA / oldswisswatches.com / Jean-Daniel Meyer / Tissot / Bonhams / ranfft.de - Dr. Roland Ranfft / Spink Switzerland / Christie's / Analog/Shift LLC
Music:
Blue Danube (by Strauss) by Strauss
Creative Commons - Attribution 3.0 Unported- CC BY 3.0
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Music provided by FreeMusic109 / freemusic109

[@jamesmustin7289]

I wear a 1938 Omega 26.5 SC as a everyday watch. It it keeps accurate time fo a 83 year old watch. I give a modest adjustment every 3 to 5 days. I collect vintage Omega watches from 1929 to 1964. Everyone of them runs.

[@funkydrops]

I have three of them, and I can confirm that properly serviced they still are a pleasure to see running, with their sweeping second hand fluidity

[@rbruce63]

Where do you take your Omegas for service?

[@funkydrops]

@@rbruce63 independent watchmakers

[@fredrickurbanelli4318]

An excellent review of these troubled movements (and troubled times, at least where the Swiss manufacturers were concrrned). From my reading on the subject, it was really only the 1000 and 1001 models that were inferior. They had bad lubrication issues and they struggled to maintain power. This was resolved in the 1011 (chronometer) and 1020 movements, which were excellent, if ugly. For collectors, of course, the beauty and finish of a movement is an important feature. Even today, collectors shun these models for that very reason.

[@jameshoward9700]

Interesting stuff. Omega's ups and downs - here reflected in their movements - are always fascinating. Omega's current situation is so positive now, it's hard to believe where they were in the late '70s to early '90s.

[@andybrimer8216]

Nicely done. I service my own watches, which includes a 1012 and a 1022. I will say that they are good overall, but I agree not as good as the 500-series (which I've worked on as well). Weak spots for me have been the date disc change mechanism and the winding train including the wig-wag pinion. Both are a little fussy, and the movement does feel a bit fragile overall, but they run well when taken care of.

[@larryscott3982]

I’ve seen YT vids of the 1012 full servicing. I think I saw 2 plastic parts. Is that so? And is that a problem in 2024? Aging plastic.

[@rbruce63]

Thanks! I knew that something was amiss with Omega in the 1980’s! I stopped to see and collect the glossy advertisements that came attached to Reader’s Digest Selections magazine. Perhaps Seiko took its place. So it is better to stick to my birth year of 1965 when choosing a vintage Omega watch!

[@bihouchokou6289]

Just purchased a new old stock omega Geneve caliber 1022! The movement is brand new, the entire watch is brand new!

[@vermazing888]

Your channel is a revelation. Great work, sir! I love my Omega Geneve with an 1012 movement

[@UptickWatchReviews]

Excellent as usual and crowned by the “interesting” day indication at 13:09…

[@henrywest7217]

An interesting historical event, interestingly recounted by you. Also, your conclusion makes perfect sense to me.

[@PMS1950]

I owned three Omegas during the 1970s - a constellation chronometer, a Geneve, and a seamaster - and although beautifully finished, none were particularly impressive time keepers and certainly no where near the performance and accuracy of my Zenith autosport, which continues its 28,000 bph to this day.

[@oliverselle2861]

Nice video. I'm a lucky owner of the Constellation in steel. And it's a fantastic watch, late 60s early 70s design at its best. Nobody had a crystal at the back of the watch in them days. That's just the motor 😂. I drive Alfa Romeo and everyone has an opinion on those until they actually get in and drive one.

[@erico6247]

If you really think about it this movement is a fast beat so it requires more servicing than a slow beat 500s movement, given that if you own a Omega vintage you should service it regularly and you won't have any issues! After all I feel that this movement is a total collectors item as it was Omegas last in-house movement ever made that alone should raise the value in these watches!

[@mattede8744]

I've recently had a Seamaster 600 Ploprof completely overhauled by Omega. I'm now wondering if I should've bothered.

[@stevefox8605]

Fascinating, thank you Armand 👍🏻👍🏻

[@mrandmrswheels1142]

Excellent video. Thanks

[@reubenlym588]

Very high quality content. Thanks for posting!

[@larryscott3982]

I have 2, Cosmic 2000 watches. Cal 1012. If given a proper service are they at all collectible? I’ve seen on the blogs that the opinion of Cosmic 2000 and it’s odd case and frame, is that they aren’t worth the cost of servicing. Add to that the reputation of the cal 1012, and the question is: is the Cosmic 2000 a watch destined to be the most uncollectible Omega?

[@williamwestrate9633]

I have Seamaster cal 1010, it is flawless and is super accurate, no issue.

[@ottowilliamhalim4116]

Not sure what it mean by the isograph movement didn't work. The people who own autavia isograph movement that i know are enjoying it at the moment.

[@jamesluciani3284]

We’re you able to find anything on the 1481 automatic movement from the 70’s? I believe around 73-74.

[@1saak1]

Had my omega 1012 movement watch was serviced just recenty my watchmaker was happy to take it in and service. The watch ran great prior to the service. However I honestly don't belive it had been serviced in 10 to 20 years and even it did run well I knew it was still not good for the gears and pivots my assessment was affermed based on the quot and run down of problems. it's a geneve 1973 so i would say its a basic finished but very reliable movement.

[@zeroqueguima]

I have a Omega Geneve from 1974. Caliber 1022. After recent service, its running perfectly as new. Great watch. What do you say about this particular movement?

[@erico6247]

I just bought a omega constellation 1001 caliber and hoping it's a better watch than the bad rumors say regardless of the outcome I still have Omegas worst mistake which could be worth more just because it's a reminder of their biggest mistake! 😆

[@ministryofmetals2462]

I just bought a 1001 cal 18k constellation too. Question, does yours rattle quite loudly when turned vertically?

[@mackie1567]

I have the 1970 Omega Geneva I am not sure if it is the 1000 series or not push in the crown to change date

[@steffydog]

Fascinating stuff, thanks

[@lonewolfemcquade8133]

Tag heuer should have just revised the Autaiva with the isograph exactly 💯 like it was like the vintage Heuer Autaiva and without a date window. Which of course Tag always has to add. The only current Tag Heuer I do like is the 160 anniversary of the Carrera but price is too steep

[@viktor9759]

my 60's Omega 600 cal.s are more accurate than my 6R35 seikos

[@Mythicregard]

Sounds about right.

[@biharijivandana6894]

wait that zodiac the hands were ticking in anti clock direction? wow. Something unique

[@bani_niba]

Thanks for this historical video. Another interesting topic would be how did Rolex overtake Omega as the world-wide premier watch brand.

[@ankitshah2795]

One Oris Big Crown Pointer Date for me please!!

[@PeterAGruther]

I dig it. I see what u mean.

[@herbmerced7780]

Interesting

[@antsfur]

The video wont play i dont know why? Anyone else have this issue?

[@cc8530]

it just played for me on 26/07/21@0725hrs West Aust time

[@antsfur]

@@cc8530 ok thxs will try again in the morning

[@johnlacroix1639]

WOW very interesting super kool ,1st class great info.,, AAAAAAAAAAA++++++++++++ again great video I liked it a lot ,keep up the great work.

[@oliverwiantrmerholme112]

I bought a 1000-series at an auction, but sent it back the same day because of a sketchy movement!

[@muffemod]

Frailty? BOSH! FLIMSHAW!

[@rbf100]

The 1000 series movement is deeply inferior to the 500 series and I suspect that a lot of it had to do with cost cutting. The 1000 series seems to be more fragile than the 500 series and probably requires more servicing than the 500 series.

[@arashmalekzadeh1]

Omega's biggest mistake is having 500 models and adding one every week. It seems Omega is trying to compete with their sister company Swatch watch.

[@arashmalekzadeh1]

@Will Harris Yes i am sure and that is why they are trying to be Rolex and they suck at it. Rolex 1.2M watches a year and always shortage. Omega 800K and 25% discount and always availability. But again who am i to say anything about Omega.

[@arashmalekzadeh1]

@Will Harris What do you smoke before you write all the BS? I gave my opinion and that is it. But i can tell you with 100% confidence i know more than you about watches, 1000% i have more watches than you and my watches in value are by far superior to yours. Now go brush your teeth and wait for your mom to read you a book.

[@phmwu7368]

2019 Buzz butt Speedmaster was the beginning of the end for spaceflight fans of the brand... what was the design team thinking... and then the wrong Apollo 11 time on the plaque in the box.

[@arashmalekzadeh1]

@Will Harris Go ask your wife. She has seen my collection

[@vincentsgardens870]

Made me chuckle that 👍

[@michaelyounes29]

15,000 views and less than 700 likes... come on guys!!

[@keysersoze503]

Does the narrator actually come in physical contact with the watches being reviewed?

[@keysersoze503]

@Will Harris It's a commercial for every watch they 'review'

[@zillsburyy1]

salty video

[@jojoolerobot]

Copy of buren 1000