The Co-Axial Calibre movement from Omega has already forged its own distinct place in the pantheon of horological excellence, and it remains one of the most significant breakthroughs in the world of watchmaking for centuries. First introduced into Omega watches during 1999, this technological tour de force is still making headlines even today, as Omega has just announced that their signature movement has now been introduced in Guatemala.
Both clients and media alike had the great honour of standing in awe before a presentation of this famous watch movement, and the event – hosted by Enhora at the Railway Museum – was an unreserved success in all respects. The Co-Axial has always been a highly exciting movement, and even now it continues to steal the show with its array of almost unprecedented capabilities. These capabilities include:
Reduced Friction within the Escapement
In contrast to most other Swiss watches, the Co-Axial movement transmits energy using radial impulses. This reduces the contact surface and repetitive pushing motions that would normally take place in a mechanical ‘lever escapement’, and lessens technical problems into the bargain.
Greater and More Stable Precision
Many other Swiss watches lose efficiency due to indirect transfers of energy from the escapement wheel to the balance roller, yet in contrast the Co-Axial directly imparts a clockwise impulse to the aforementioned roller. This results in a more stable mechanism imbued with enhanced timekeeping.
Improved Shock Resistance
The Co-Axial movement uniquely operates alongside a free sprung-balance. Ordinarily, touching the balance wheel would cause considerable disturbances to occur within the performance of a wristwatch, but this free sprung-balance circumnavigates this issue with better shock resistance.
Exceptional Longevity
Each Co-Axial movement comes with a four year warranty and the promise of longer intervals between required servicing. The high chronometric standards are also maintained for much longer, so the benefits of this revolutionary instrument will only become fully apparent as time passes.
COSC Certified Chronometer
The Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres is the internationally accepted regulator of all those timepieces that reach ‘chronometer standard’. Such a watch must exhibit the maximum possible precision of 99.99%. As you might expect, every Co-Axial escapement adheres to these standards.
Remarkably, after having already developed such a staggering watch movement, Omega still do not seem to be content with their achievement, as evidenced by several of their new timepieces at Baselworld 2014. Two freshly unveiled models within the family of Omega Seamaster watches are branded as being powered by a ‘Master Co-Axial’ movement (see below), and this incredible innovation pushes the Co-Axial into even more impressive territory, equipping it with a time-zone function, a three-level escapement wheel and a magnetic resistance of more than 15,000 gauss. Clearly, the continual evolution of the Omega Co-Axial has yet to reach its zenith, and that is a remarkable thought.
 
The Co-Axial Calibre is now a virtual staple within the current range of Omega timepieces – saving those that retain other movements due to nostalgic connotations – and you can access all of the benefits of this astonishing technology within our collection here at Banks Lyon. If you’d like to find out more about the Omega Co-Axial Calibre, or want a detailed list of the Omega chronometers that boast this augmentation, please don’t hesitate to contact us by calling 01524 38 48 58 or emailing us at [email protected] today.
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