Short answer: a replica Omega Caliber 8806 is a decorated automatic movement made to look like Omega's in-house 8806 through a display back. It is not a Master Chronometer, it does not carry the genuine co-axial escapement, and its magnetic resistance comes from a soft iron cover at best. It keeps time well enough for daily wear, but every specification Omega certifies belongs to the real movement, not the copy.
What the Genuine Caliber 8806 Is
Omega Caliber 8806 is an in-house self-winding movement with no date window. It uses a co-axial escapement, a free-sprung balance with a silicon hairspring, twin barrels in series for about 55 hours of power reserve, and magnetic resistance rated to 15,000 gauss. Omega submits each one to METAS for Master Chronometer certification, which tests rate in several positions, after magnetic exposure, and at different power reserve levels.
What the Replica Version Holds
Replica 8806 watches run on a base Asian automatic, most often a 28,800 vph design built on the ETA 2892 pattern or a Seagull equivalent. The factory then adds a rotor engraved with Omega markings, Geneva stripes, blued screws, and a balance bridge cut to mimic the real silhouette. A decorative plate sometimes hides the escapement to suggest co-axial parts. Silicon hairsprings and series barrels are not part of the build. Power reserve lands between 36 and 42 hours, and the rotor is printed or stamped rather than laser etched with fine detail.
How to Inspect a Replica 8806 Watch
- Request a photo of the movement through the caseback before payment, with the rotor at rest.
- Confirm the balance oscillates at 28,800 vibrations per hour by checking that the seconds hand sweeps in eight small jumps per second.
- Compare the rotor engraving with reference photos of the genuine movement.
- Wind the crown 30 turns by hand, set the watch down, and check the power reserve after 36 hours.
- Test each crown position in order: winding, date setting if fitted, and hacking.
- Ask the seller to confirm the caseback gasket material and whether the watch was pressure tested.
Accuracy and Daily Use
A well-regulated replica 8806 runs within 10 to 20 seconds a day. Magnetism from laptop speakers, phone cases, and bag clasps can pull that to a minute or more because the movement lacks the genuine anti-magnetic architecture. Demagnetizing at a local watch repair shop costs little and often restores the rate. Amplitude on a timegrapher in the 250 to 290 degree range is a healthy sign for this class of movement.
Care and Service
- Keep the watch a few inches away from magnets, including tablet covers and speaker grilles.
- Have the movement cleaned and oiled every three to five years, or sooner if amplitude drops below 230 degrees.
- Wipe the case with a soft cloth after wear to remove skin oils and salt.
- Avoid swimming unless the seller states a tested depth rating and the crown seals were replaced.
- Wind the watch once a month if it sits in a box for long periods.
Red Flags
- Sellers who claim a true co-axial escapement or METAS certification on a replica.
- Photos that show only one angle of the movement, or stock images.
- Listings that quote 55 hours of power reserve for a decorated 2892 clone.
- No answer on service history or gasket condition.
Budget for a service within the first two years. A replica 8806 is a cosmetic tribute, and treating it as one keeps the purchase sensible.