It is estimated that few brothers who play diving watches can bypass the Omega Seamaster 600 Quarter Orange. The contrasting black and orange design of this watch is so eye-catching. It has the professional look of a diving watch without looking too boring. It can be worn for daily commuting or weekend outings. There are many manufacturers making this model on the market, but the V2 version of Quarter Orange from VS Factory has always been on the popular list. Today I will use the actual product to tell you what makes this watch stand out.
1. The movement is the last word: 8900 integrated movement, the hour hand can be adjusted independently
To be honest, the quality of a watch is determined by its movement. This is also the key to the VS factory’s ability to make quarter oranges outstanding. They made the mold of this 8900 integrated movement themselves, and the structure and functions are all the same as the original ones, which is completely different from the versions on the market that use modified plywood to fool things around.
How to distinguish good from bad? You’ll know just by doing it in practice. Pull out the crown to one position, and the VS factory movement can adjust the hour hand independently, and realize the calendar jump forward or backward through the rotation of the hour hand. At this time, the minute hand and second hand will move as they should, without being affected at all. This function is particularly useful for brothers who often travel across time zones, and it is very convenient to adjust the time. Moreover, this movement has no restricted area for calendar adjustment. You can adjust the date anytime you want in the early morning without worrying about calendar jamming or damage to the movement.
Looking at the products of those small manufacturers, most of them still use the traditional watch adjustment logic. The first gear directly adjusts the calendar, and the hour and minute hands move together, which is not consistent with the original functions. This is also the most direct way to identify inferior versions.
This 8900 integrated movement also reproduces the original double barrel structure, and the power reserve can reach about 60 hours when the chain is fully loaded. You usually take it off and leave it for two or three days, and then you don’t have to rush to wind it up again. Through the bottom cover, you can see that the movement is very neatly polished, with details such as fish scale patterns and gemstone bearing engravings in place, and the travel time error is also controlled within a reasonable range. After so many years of market testing, the repair rate is indeed much lower than similar products.
2. The real ring craftsmanship: soft glue, glue, rolling and spray painting.
Where did the name Quarter Orange come from? It’s because the ceramic outer ring from 0 to 15 minutes is orange. The orange area of the original product is not simply painted on, but is embedded with soft rubber material. The VS factory did not cut corners here. The V2 upgraded version directly abandoned the low-cost spray paint solution and used an integrated glue-in-line soft glue process in the groove of the black ceramic ring.
When you touch the orange area with your hand, you can clearly feel the softness and elasticity, which is basically the same as the original rubber feel. The color is also quite mild and not dazzling, and it is not easy to peel, fade or fall off when worn for a long time.
What are the low-priced versions on the market made of? Most of them spray a layer of yellow paint directly on the surface of the ceramic ring. This kind of paint feels hard and smooth, and you can easily reveal it by scratching it with your fingernail. If exposed to the sun or frequently exposed to water, it will quickly turn yellow and fade. If you look carefully at the paint surface, there are grains and burrs, and you can tell at a glance that the texture is cheap.
In addition to this iconic orange circle, other details of the entire watch also stand up to scrutiny. The dial uses an enamel firing process, and the luminous scales are fully filled and will not overflow. The color matching of the orange numbers at 6 o’clock, 9 o’clock, and 12 o’clock is quite accurate. The side of the case is segmented, with the middle brushed and the edges polished, creating a natural transition. The steel strap is polished with fine steel, the gaps in the strap are well controlled, and the LOGO on the buckle is deep and three-dimensional. The standard sapphire crystal has good scratch resistance and good light transmittance. You can see the time clearly under strong light, and it is not easy to leave scratches due to daily bumps.
3. Why has this watch been so popular for so many years?
It’s not unreasonable for Quarter Orange to remain popular. The contrasting black and orange design weakens the heaviness of the diving watch, making it look younger and more energetic. The steel strap version is stable and can be worn with shirts and suits; if you change the strap, it is light and suitable for sports and leisure, and it is very convenient to wear multiple watches.
Taken together, the functionality of the movement and the core craftsmanship of the bezel, these two VS factories have indeed done a good job. The 8900 integrated movement and the soft orange ring are two of their exclusive highlights. Among this model currently on the market, the restoration of the VS factory is indeed top-notch, and it has become the first choice for many watch lovers to buy Quarter Orange.
4. How to distinguish versions? Two tips to teach you how to avoid pitfalls
If you want to buy a quarter orange but are afraid of buying a low-quality version, remember these two tips:
The first step is to test the independent calendar adjustment function of the hour hand. Pull out the crown one step and see if you can adjust the hour hand independently while keeping the minute and second hands running normally. If the hour and minute hands move together, it must be a traditional modified movement, so just pass it.
The second move is to touch the soft and hard part of the orange circle. Use your fingertips to gently press the orange area. If it feels soft, waxy and elastic, it means it is a soft glue process. If it’s hard, it’s the spray-painted version, and the texture is far inferior.
With these two tricks, you can basically eliminate most of the inferior spray-painted plywood machine versions on the market.
FAQ
Q1: How is the stability of the VS Factory Quarter Orange 8900 movement?
A: This 8900 integrated movement has been tested in the market for many years and its stability is quite reliable. It has a 60-hour power reserve and supports independent calendar adjustment by the hour hand, with no restricted time zone. The travel time error of daily wear is controlled within a reasonable range, and the repair rate is much lower than similar products.
Q2: Will the soft rubber ring discolor or fall off?
A: The V2 version of VS Factory uses an integrated glue embedding process. The orange soft glue is embedded in the groove of the ceramic ring, not sprayed on the surface. It’s not easy to fade or fall off when worn normally. As long as you don’t deliberately pick it or bump it hard with hard objects, there will be no problem with long-term use.
Q3: Can I wear this watch while swimming?
A: The Seamaster 600 is designed as a professional diving watch with a waterproof depth of 600 meters. This version of the VS factory has made corresponding arrangements in terms of case sealing and head locking structure, so it is no problem for daily swimming and snorkeling. However, it is still recommended to regularly check whether the head is locked and avoid high-temperature environments such as hot baths and saunas.
Q4: How to choose between steel belt and tape?
A: It depends on personal preference and usage scenarios. Steel straps are more stable, suitable for business occasions or formal wear, and have a more solid texture. The tape is lightweight and breathable, suitable for sports, leisure or summer wear, and is easy to change. It is recommended to use one watch and two straps, and wear them interchangeably on different occasions.
Q5: What is the difference between the V2 version and the old version?
A: The V2 version mainly optimizes the ring technology and movement adjustment. The ring mouth has been upgraded from spray paint to glue-dropped soft glue process, and the feel is closer to the original. The movement has also been unified for better timing stability. It is recommended to give priority to the new version V2.
write at the end
The Omega Seamaster 600 Quarter Orange watch is indeed quite recognizable among diving watches with its unique black and orange contrasting design. The original price is high, which makes many interested watchers hesitate. The V2 version of VS Factory has really worked hard on the core craftsmanship. The functionality of the 8900 integrated movement and the texture of the soft rubber ring have achieved a relatively high level in the same price range.
If you like the color scheme of this watch and value the stability of the movement and the wearing quality, then this version from the VS factory is indeed worth considering. Remember to use the two methods I mentioned to inspect the goods when buying them, avoid those low-quality spray-painted versions, and use a reasonable budget to experience the charm of a quarter orange, which is quite delicious.