Omega’s New Watch Certification: What Makes It Different?
In December, Omega and METAS, the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology, held a joint press conference in Geneva to announce a new collaboration. Starting in 2015, Omega watches that are badged “Master Co-Axial” will be officially certified by METAS, using a new testing system. But what does this mean for Omega, and for watch certification systems in general? Let’s take a look.At the December Press Conference, held at the Cit�� du Temps in Geneva, Swatch Group CEO Nick Hayek was joined by Omega President Stephen Urquhart and Christian Bock, the director of METAS, to discuss the new system.The new certification represents a higher standard of accuracy. Omega watches will now be certified for not just consistent timekeeping but also for antimagnetism and water resistance. METAS, which describes itself as “the federal centre of competence for all issues related to measurement and for measuring equipment and measuring procedures,” will become the impartial regul

RG 44 chronograph broke... any thoughts?
So my RG 44,which is 3 1/2 months old broke today. Obviously I'm sending it in but figured i would see if anyone has any thoughts on what happened. The watch is fully wound and works fine until i use the chrono. The chrono works until the 30 minute mark (specifically about 10 seconds short of 30 minutes) and it stops. It also completely stops the rest of the watch as well. I reset the chrono and the watch is still frozen. I unscrew the crown and pull it out until i can engage the time setting and then reset the watch to the correct time, screw the crown back in and the watch starts again and works fine. It does NOT start working on its own though, but only after i pull the crown out, and reset the time. No winding required though. This pattern has repeated itself 3 times in a row, and the results are exactly the same. My understanding is the chronograph module is on top of the regular calibre 3120. If they are basically separate pieces then why does a malfunctioning chronog

44mm ROO advice
Please be easy as I'm not a ROO owner (yet) but have a few Q's1: With the rubber strap and ceramic bezel taking out the most prone areas to scratch, how bad is the case at picking up marks given its size? 2: What colour rubber straps are available for the 44mm, I've seen blue, black, white and grey. Due to this I'm assuming the bright colours are just for the 42mm's as the strap is from the divers?!3: What strap changing tool do you use, I've seen a few use the genuine AP one but been unable to find any, the other is the one offered by AP bands 4: With strap changes is it best to remove the strap from the plots or remove the strap with the plots in place (I've seen some straps sold with plots fitted)5: How easy are buckle changing and cost depending would it be easier to buy a couple of extra tang buckles and leave them on each strap?Think thats it for now

Is panerai really this cold now?
While I was picking up my new bronze 671, I saw 716 Mare Nostrum, 685 and 687 3 Days Acciaio in the showcase, they are such nice looking pieces! Wondering is panerai really this cold now?

New to Panerai, need advice
I am new to this watch collecting thing but the last 6 - 7 months I've collected a few time pieces from Rolex to Seiko automatic. I am looking to get one Penarai watch 42 mm, in-house movement, popular and reliable, must be automatic with strap leather. I am completely clueless with PAM serial system, I've look at Panerai Luminor 1950 but would like to learn more about this brand before I take a plunge. Do you have any advice for the newbie? Any trusted seller on here you recommend? Thanks in advance.