The Omega Chronoscope has got to go… because the Baltic Bicompax 002 is just that good
In a previous thread, I asked folks' thoughts on trading in both the Breitling AVI Ref. 765 1953 Re-edition and the Omega Chronoscope for the GS SLGA015. Most folks said, “Yeah, trade in the Breitling, but you’re nuts if you trade in the Chronoscope, because it’s absolutely gorgeous.” Totally reasonable sentiments, so that was the plan.
And then the Baltic Bicompax 002 arrived. And, now, the Chronoscope has got to go too!
Look, the Chronoscope is amazing:
- Omega heritage and quality
- Co-axial escapement, which my buddy who is a watchmaker tells me is effectively designed to be lifetime service-free (will be interesting to see if as time goes on, Omega really does pull it off)
- Heat-blued everything, with gorgeous applied Arabic numerals
- Sapphire casebook displaying one of the most marvelous three-quarter plate movements ever to be seen
- Obviously, amazing brand
But, you know, the Baltic Bicompax 002 has a number of attributes to recommend it as well:
- Incredible 40’s inspired design just drips retro-cool
- Perfect sizing at 38mm diameter and 47mm lug-to-lug
- And, oh, did I mention, it costs ~$575???
[This is not the best photo - none of mine are - but I caught the puppies getting ready to poop in the background, so had to include it!]
For 1/15th the price of the Chronoscope, you can get the same amazing 40’s styling, in a beautiful 12mm thick case. Sure, the movement is a Chinese Seagull ST1901, and maybe after 3 months it’ll explode and kill my family, but in the meantime, if you press down on the 2 o’clock chronograph pusher, the chronograph seconds hand starts moving. And if you push it again, it stops. So, you know, it all seems to be in working order. And, really, my primary use case with chronographs is to sync the chronograph seconds hand with the seconds sub-dial at 9 o’clock, cause it looks cool to see both of the seconds hands spinning around in sync.
More and more, I’m coming increasingly to the conclusion that Seiko and the best of the micro brands offer the absolute best value out there. I'd been avoiding micro brands, because early on I bought an Undone, and it just felt really poorly done. But, I guess if you find a really good micro brand, the watches are really good!
To my mind, Omega offers the most when it comes to Swiss luxury watches, but even so it just don’t hold up in terms of value proposition. The only thing Omega's got going for it, at its price point, is James Bond!
Right now, the book makers have Rege-Jean Page in the lead at 3/1 odds to become the next 007.
[My wife would leave me in a heartbeat for this dude.]
So, unless and until Rege-Jean Page wears the Chronoscope in the next Bond film, the Chronoscope is gonna get traded in, and the Baltic Bicompax 002 has taken its place in the collection.
The Artist formerly known as @HotWatchChick69 and formerly-formerly @Omeganut
More from Mr.Dee.Bater
im not really into the esthetic of omega chronoscope. i'll choose baltic bicompax all day (from design perspective), its more affordable and appealing. i dont know about seagull movement quality though. congratulations on the new watch btw, is omeganut now become microbrandnut?😂
From an aesthetic point of view, I find the Chronoscope absolutely wonderful, but I don't think I would wear it more often than my Desert Sky Studio Underd0g chronograph, which would be a pity.
Totally get your point
Here for the dogs preparing to dookie in the background!
Jokes aside it is a beautiful watch. I tried on the Chronoscope, and it was beautiful but was a bit busy for something I'd want to wear every day. Never held a Baltic but there are a lot of good words out there about them so I would be more than happy to pull the trigger on one. Regarding the movement of the chronograph, one bright side is that if the movement ever breaks, it can be relatively easy to just replace! Not my favorite way to maintain a watch but for a chronograph movement, it reduces the cost of service.
Did you already get on the list for the Grand Seiko SLGA015?
Baltic is a nice looking piece but at that price point get it and add to the collection....don't get rid of anything......
im not really into the esthetic of omega chronoscope. i'll choose baltic bicompax all day (from design perspective), its more affordable and appealing. i dont know about seagull movement quality though. congratulations on the new watch btw, is omeganut now become microbrandnut?😂
Yeah, I do think I'm going to have to change my WC handle at some point!
From an aesthetic point of view, I find the Chronoscope absolutely wonderful, but I don't think I would wear it more often than my Desert Sky Studio Underd0g chronograph, which would be a pity.
Totally get your point
Precisely! I feel like, at some point, you only got 2 wrists, so unless you're walking around all day like these a$$-monkeys below, what's the point in having a bunch of really expensive watches that sit unworn???
Here for the dogs preparing to dookie in the background!
Jokes aside it is a beautiful watch. I tried on the Chronoscope, and it was beautiful but was a bit busy for something I'd want to wear every day. Never held a Baltic but there are a lot of good words out there about them so I would be more than happy to pull the trigger on one. Regarding the movement of the chronograph, one bright side is that if the movement ever breaks, it can be relatively easy to just replace! Not my favorite way to maintain a watch but for a chronograph movement, it reduces the cost of service.
Did you already get on the list for the Grand Seiko SLGA015?
Yeah, I can't tell you how bowled over I was with the Baltic when I opened the box. I mean, this was my previous experience with micro brands - which led me to swear off them entirely, until I kept reading over and over about how nicely done Baltic watches were.
The friction bezel on the Undone was just plain janky!
I think what Baltic has done right is that they've used the lowest cost materials and parts for the innards, but turned around and put a ton of effort into polishing, finishing, and design. That's where all the money went. The crystal is Hesalite. Why? Maybe because it gives that nice vintage aesthetic? But, also, maybe because it saves a few dollars here and there, which enables them to then just focus on making sure the bezel is polished nicely?
Yeah, if the Seagull movement breaks, no problem. I'll just have my watchmaker stick a new one in. I was talking with him about Omega movements, and I asked him if he could fix 'em if any of my Omegas ever had issues, and he said, "I went through all the training and certification. If anything happens, no man, you just send it in to Omega. The movements are amazing, and if it's good, potentially you won't ever need service on it. But, they're so complex that if anything goes wrong... it's like an F1 engine. If it works, it wins the race. If anything goes..."
im not really into the esthetic of omega chronoscope. i'll choose baltic bicompax all day (from design perspective), its more affordable and appealing. i dont know about seagull movement quality though. congratulations on the new watch btw, is omeganut now become microbrandnut?😂
Congratulations on getting the first comment slot. We were worried about you.
Baltic is a nice looking piece but at that price point get it and add to the collection....don't get rid of anything......
Dude... This is me now with watches.
I can't have my wife mischievously smirking every time a friend or family member asks me about watches, and I play it like, "Oh, yeah, I have a couple Seikos. I kinda got into watches, and they're cool." Like, at any moment, she can out me for being a total weirdo watch hoarder. It's too stressful.
Congratulations on getting the first comment slot. We were worried about you.
😂. back into the game
Here for the dogs preparing to dookie in the background!
Jokes aside it is a beautiful watch. I tried on the Chronoscope, and it was beautiful but was a bit busy for something I'd want to wear every day. Never held a Baltic but there are a lot of good words out there about them so I would be more than happy to pull the trigger on one. Regarding the movement of the chronograph, one bright side is that if the movement ever breaks, it can be relatively easy to just replace! Not my favorite way to maintain a watch but for a chronograph movement, it reduces the cost of service.
Did you already get on the list for the Grand Seiko SLGA015?
Oh, and, yeah, I already have that ordered! I've been promised that I would get the first one in from this particular dealer!
😂. back into the game
I was actually going to make that comment, but then figured I should leave it for @Aurelian - it's his joke, and I don't want to plagiarize, like how Dane Cook plagiarized Louis C.K.'s "itchy a$$hole" joke.
High end watches just took a hit on the gray market from 10 to 20% drop. The AD is probably the only safe bet for a while.
noooooo! don't sell the chronoscope (unless you wanna wait two years and I'll buy it from you lol)
Congratulations on the Baltic, commiserations on the Omega!
Yeah, my 8 year-old is a lefty. We used to live in Arlington, and we had her attend this really nice, co-op preschool, with the world's most wonderful teacher, when she was 3. So, during one of the parent-teacher conferences, my wife says, "You know, I've noticed that she does X, Y, and Z. Is that... normal?" Teacher is like, "Oh, yeah, that's totally normal."
Wife: But, you know, she also does this thing where she does A, B, and C
Teacher: Yeah, she's a typical 3 year-old
Wife: But...
Teacher (laughing): Do you want me to tell you that your daughter is a weirdo?
Well, now that she's 8, I can definitely tell you that she's a weirdo.
Man, I really needed those search parties 😵💫
it's obvious I have a lot of catching up. @Aurelian poke at @Unholy flying over my head is a clear indicator.
Unfortunately I'll be away for a couple more weeks. I'll send some smoke signals.
Never thought I'll miss a bunch of watch crazies.
where have you been man? some island at bermuda?😂
Personally I would not even think about selling an Omega for a Baltic. Micro brands are nice but you get what you pay for. Cheap movements, basic finishing and no heritage or collector value in most cases. With the Omega you have one of the most technically advanced movements out there usually keeping time within 1-2 seconds a day. I can wear my Omegas for months without ever correcting the time. Also the pride of ownership for me would be much higher on the Omega. But of course that's just me.
Personally I would not even think about selling an Omega for a Baltic. Micro brands are nice but you get what you pay for. Cheap movements, basic finishing and no heritage or collector value in most cases. With the Omega you have one of the most technically advanced movements out there usually keeping time within 1-2 seconds a day. I can wear my Omegas for months without ever correcting the time. Also the pride of ownership for me would be much higher on the Omega. But of course that's just me.
Makes sense. I guess it all depends on what one's preferences are. Some people are going to deeply care about the movement and heritage, and some just don't at all.
For example, I am crazily obsessed with Grand Seiko's Spring Drive technology. Other watch collectors would look at my spring drive watches and react like this, I'm sure:
I absolutely love my GS Spring Drive.
Love my snowflake too! spring drive is so satisfying to watch in action!
Love my snowflake too! spring drive is so satisfying to watch in action!
Yes!
Dude, my absolute PERFECT watch would be:
Grand Seiko doesn't do the 44GS case in titanium, typically, because my understanding is that the severely angular shape is incredibly hard and expensive to pull off in titanium. They did it with the SBGJ255, but that's the only one I've ever seen, and it's hi-beat, not spring drive!
Yes!
Dude, my absolute PERFECT watch would be:
Grand Seiko doesn't do the 44GS case in titanium, typically, because my understanding is that the severely angular shape is incredibly hard and expensive to pull off in titanium. They did it with the SBGJ255, but that's the only one I've ever seen, and it's hi-beat, not spring drive!
My ideal would be a 39mm titanium spring drive gmt with an understated rotating bezel and a power reserve on the underside of the case; with an actual good bracelet with on the fly micro adjust
My ideal would be a 39mm titanium spring drive gmt with an understated rotating bezel and a power reserve on the underside of the case; with an actual good bracelet with on the fly micro adjust
Get outta here! You will never see that GS in your lifetime!
Nice pickup, for $575, it’s a looker. I’ve come close to pulling the trigger on the brand, but after having a 1963, I’ve sworn off any watches with a horrible Seagull movement, which is a shame. I’d gladly pay 2x as much for a Baltic (especially the MR01) or Lorier if they had a movement where the crown won’t mysteriously pop pop off and/or keep time within less than 30 seconds a day.
To your point, it’s what one prioritizes. Like cars, everything is a great deal at the right price. I have my share of disposable pieces and I can love a spring drive as much as a tourbillon. I’m just not sure I’d forgo a heirloom level watch for a disposable once broke microbrand, especially since there are so many other great micros out there. Again, it would be a different story had it a ETA (or sellita) based movement that could be easily repaired, but that’s me.
Afterall, you’re omeganut, not Balticnut!
Nice pickup, for $575, it’s a looker. I’ve come close to pulling the trigger on the brand, but after having a 1963, I’ve sworn off any watches with a horrible Seagull movement, which is a shame. I’d gladly pay 2x as much for a Baltic (especially the MR01) or Lorier if they had a movement where the crown won’t mysteriously pop pop off and/or keep time within less than 30 seconds a day.
To your point, it’s what one prioritizes. Like cars, everything is a great deal at the right price. I have my share of disposable pieces and I can love a spring drive as much as a tourbillon. I’m just not sure I’d forgo a heirloom level watch for a disposable once broke microbrand, especially since there are so many other great micros out there. Again, it would be a different story had it a ETA (or sellita) based movement that could be easily repaired, but that’s me.
Afterall, you’re omeganut, not Balticnut!
Yeah, Chinese movements do not inspire confidence. Though, I almost pulled the trigger on this. I should have. They sold out immediately, and I missed my chance.
Yeah, Chinese movements do not inspire confidence. Though, I almost pulled the trigger on this. I should have. They sold out immediately, and I missed my chance.
Wen is a different breed. I’m looking forward to seeing how his movements hold up, but that guy is doing great work.
Get outta here! You will never see that GS in your lifetime!
yeah, if they allowed piece unique commissions (and I somehow won enough money to commission one) I'd absolutely ask for it!
yeah, if they allowed piece unique commissions (and I somehow won enough money to commission one) I'd absolutely ask for it!
Man, can you imagine how awesome it would be if we could get customized GS watches???
Man, can you imagine how awesome it would be if we could get customized GS watches???
well, if I ever get that trip to Japan and manage to get a tour of GS I'll ask if they can make two ;-)