: Considering adding a Broad Arrow to my collection. This model uses
: the 3313 based on F Piquet's movement. The 1285 I believe. What
: I'd like to find out is past/present experiences with this
: movement. I don't want to add it and then have it sit in my
: watchmaker's.
: Thanks.
This is purely my thoughts, so it might not be the real truth.
I think the range of FP 33XX movements are beautiful things, I've looked at them closely and with wonder.
When adding a co-axial escapement, they are deadly accurate. They contain a column wheel what snaps the
resets back on the chrono totalizators instantly. The date is in an odd place but I can live with that.
On the downside: They are fragile movements that are ill suited for use in a sport or work chrono.
I didn't come up with that myself. After having a disaster with a PO Chrono where the set yoke broke
off the stem and the pieces fell into the balance and escapement and destroyed it, I did some digging.
The same watch failed again within a month with a reset problem. I also have a Broad Arrow that had a
reset problem with the pushers and again with the minute totalizator. Both watches were repaired by
the Omega Service Center in Atlanta and I have had no more problems after the fix kit issued by Omega
was installed. I will add that both were early models and the kits were not installed at the factory, the newer
models are more reliable. The Chrono reset arms are fitted with stronger pieces that don't deflect under pressure
and the stems have been changed. They give little trouble in current models. I had Chuck Maddox to thank
for uncovering the problems with these movements. I also have a Seamaster Chrono with a 33XX that has been
trouble free and runs perfectly. After all the problems I still think its a good movement that after some refinement,
preforms well. Hope this helps Mr Holmes. Get a newer model.
jim
