Omega Seamaster...... Help needed :)

[Subman]

It's my 30th coming up so as a treat I'm looking to get the following watch:-

http://www.goldsmiths.co.uk/product/omega-seamaste...

Was going to pick it up this weekend and upon browsing the Goldsmiths website I noticed this:-

http://www.goldsmiths.co.uk/product/omega-seamaste...

It appears to be the new version on the watch I was going to buy this weekend! It literally came onto the website in the last few days.

My question is what is the actual difference? Apart from the fact the new version is £300 more. As far as I can tell, the new version appears to have a slightly different bezel and the face doesn't look like it has the trademark Seamaster wave in it.

I'm leaning towards going for the 'older' model but knowing my luck, it may well tank in price as the new version is now out. I think the new bezel looks more modern, but I think the older bezel suits the watch more. The price difference cannot be ignored too, doesn't look like you are getting anything extra for the £300 difference. Any idea if the automatic movement in each version would be the same?

What do you guys think?

Thanks in advance - Subman

[toddler]

Can't answer your question I'm afraid, but I bought the first watch you linked to (in blue) less than a year ago for £1700 from Goldsmiths. Retailed for £2150 at the time.

Whichever one you go for, make sure you haggle hard. I got £350 off just by asking for a discount and still feel I could have done much better if I'd made the effort. This might not be an option if you want to take their interest free credit though.

Edited by toddler on Thursday 1st December 21:18

[Subman]

toddler said:

Can't answer your question I'm afraid, but I bought the first watch you linked to (in blue) less than a year ago for £1700 from Goldsmiths. Retailed for £2150 at the time.

Whichever one you go for, make sure you haggle hard. I got £350 off just by asking for a discount and still feel I could have done much better if I'd made the effort. This might not be an option if you want to take their interest free credit though.

Edited by toddler on Thursday 1st December 21:18

I have noticed a few comments on Omega's current pricing strategy, the increases of late have been crazy. There is no way they can be justified. The latest version seems like an ideal chance for Omega to increase prices further, which is exactly what they have done.

Thanks for the advice, I will haggle hard, I've got a few tricks up my sleeve. I haven't heard of anyone getting anymore than 20% off RRP at an AD - so I think you've done pretty well.

Toddler - do you wear your watch as a daily? How have you found it has worn over the past year? Any issues with losing time or problems in general?

Thanks

[toddler]

Subman said:

I have noticed a few comments on Omega's current pricing strategy, the increases of late have been crazy. There is no way they can be justified. The latest version seems like an ideal chance for Omega to increase prices further, which is exactly what they have done.

Thanks for the advice, I will haggle hard, I've got a few tricks up my sleeve. I haven't heard of anyone getting anymore than 20% off RRP at an AD - so I think you've done pretty well.

Toddler - do you wear your watch as a daily? How have you found it has worn over the past year? Any issues with losing time or problems in general?

Thanks

Worn everyday since I got it. It keeps pretty good time, gaining about 30 seconds a week. I did have one issue a couple of months ago where it lost about 2 hours during the night. I fixed the time in the morning when I noticed and it hasn't done it again since.

The bracelet is covered with fine scratches. The unpolished sections seem to mark quite easily, and the clasp looks like it's been sandpapered! The glass and bezel are unmarked though With hindsight I should have put it on a NATO or rubber strap for everyday wear, but that would be a shame because the bracelet is a thing of beauty and very comfortable.

[Stuart]

Just a slightly newer version of the same design. The only feature it has not on the old one is a helium escape valve, which will only come in useful if you're going very deep...

However the difference in price needn't be an issue. Have a word with Dominic_H on here and I'm fairly certain he'd be able to save you the difference, or at least some way towards it. He comes highly recommended by many, including me, and supplied my UK spec, UK warranty Speedmaster Pro a couple of years ago at a great price.

[bry1975]

Have you seriously not checked the well respected Omega sellers online?

Yuromeo has some good stock in.
http://myworld.ebay.co.uk/yurromeo1/?_trksid=p4340...

[bigrich4]

In answer to your question the new watch has a ceramic bezel, a new movement which is meant to be better than the co-axial it replaces and it loses the waves on the face. If you were going for the blue version it would also be a different shade. I bought the older version a couple of months ago for my 30th even though I knew this was coming out as I like the wave detail on the face and felt that without it the watch would seem very plain. 2 months on, I know I made the right choice still.

ETA Oh, they both have the helium escape valve too

Edited by bigrich4 on Friday 2nd December 06:48

[bry1975]

IMO nowt wrong with the tried and tested SMPS Omega are trying to up their prices and compete with Pan and Rolex prices!

Also with the older SMPS the parts are reasonably affordable and GENUINE parts can be sourced outside of ADs.

[Podie]

Stuart said:

However the difference in price needn't be an issue. Have a word with Dominic_H on here and I'm fairly certain he'd be able to save you the difference, or at least some way towards it. He comes highly recommended by many, including me, and supplied my UK spec, UK warranty Speedmaster Pro a couple of years ago at a great price.

Another recommendation for Dom here.

[toddler]

Stuart said:

Just a slightly newer version of the same design. The only feature it has not on the old one is a helium escape valve, which will only come in useful if you're going very deep...

However the difference in price needn't be an issue. Have a word with Dominic_H on here and I'm fairly certain he'd be able to save you the difference, or at least some way towards it. He comes highly recommended by many, including me, and supplied my UK spec, UK warranty Speedmaster Pro a couple of years ago at a great price.

My "old" Seamaster has a helium escape valve Pretty sure both those linked to by the OP have helium escape valves at the 10 o'clock position.

[Pugster]

Just to add to this, the new version has a different bracelet design with screwed links and the clasp is different.

[bry1975]

Chaps,

If any of you want to rebrush your Omega claps you cannot beat Micromesh refinishing sheets! I've used them to refinish Rolex, Panerai, Omega, Seiko etc the scratch pattern is VERY clean and consistent.

Just keep the abrasive sheet away from the sapphire glass etc.

[toddler]

bry1975 said:

Chaps,

If any of you want to rebrush your Omega claps you cannot beat Micromesh refinishing sheets! I've used them to refinish Rolex, Panerai, Omega, Seiko etc the scratch pattern is VERY clean and consistent.

Just keep the abrasive sheet away from the sapphire glass etc.

Is this what you mean bry? http://www.air-craft.net/acatalog/Micro-Mesh-Hobby...

[bry1975]

Yar it's very good!

[bry1975]

Am hoping to be hardening Seamaster clasps in 2012 which should drastically help to reduce clasp swirls.

[Subman]

Thanks for the replies, how do I multi quote?

Stuart - Thanks for advice about Dominic_H. I have already been in touch with him, really helpful guy and great prices too. I've got quite a good deal lined up with Goldsmiths, I know I won't be able to get the watch I am looking for cheaper anywhere else. This is my first 'proper' watch purchase and I would rather purchase directly from an AD, I think it will help with resale to if I ever saw the need.

Bry1975 - While I would use eBay as an indicator of a good deal, I wouldn't purchase from there for reasons above.

Bigrich4 - I did read somewhere about the 'liquid metal' range having ceramic bezels, looks like they may be applying the ceramic bezels to all their range. While I watched a very well put together video on youtube about it, I couldn't help feel it was more marketing than anything else. To me its not worth a £300 difference and losing the waves on the face of the dial is what attracted me to the watch in the first place. I will have a look in the flesh to make my final choice, but it looks like its heading towards the 'older' model. I do have a feeling the power reserve on the new watch maybe better.

Anybody have any links to rubber or leather straps that might suit this model?

[Stuart]

Subman said:

Stuart - Thanks for advice about Dominic_H. I have already been in touch with him, really helpful guy and great prices too. I've got quite a good deal lined up with Goldsmiths, I know I won't be able to get the watch I am looking for cheaper anywhere else. This is my first 'proper' watch purchase and I would rather purchase directly from an AD, I think it will help with resale to if I ever saw the need.

Fair enough, but Dominic will buy directly from an AD, so there's no impact at all on your resale. He's just very good at negotiating, and knows how to buy. If he can't beat your price then fine, but if he has beaten it, then you'll get a watch from a UK AD with a UK stamped AD card. Nothing secret about the way he operates - he's effectively just a broker...

[Athlon]

The second link SMP has a display back as well....

[bry1975]

IMHO bracelet screws are ok till they get gnarled from being loctited and undone with a poor fitting screwdriver.
I'd stick with the Omega SMP with pins

[bigrich4]

Subman said:

Bigrich4 - I did read somewhere about the 'liquid metal' range having ceramic bezels, looks like they may be applying the ceramic bezels to all their range. While I watched a very well put together video on youtube about it, I couldn't help feel it was more marketing than anything else. To me its not worth a £300 difference and losing the waves on the face of the dial is what attracted me to the watch in the first place. I will have a look in the flesh to make my final choice, but it looks like its heading towards the 'older' model. I do have a feeling the power reserve on the new watch maybe better.

The waves on the face really make the watch IMO, that's why I went for the older one. I also believe that the Liquid Metal bezels are not ceramic - I could be wrong though.

I'd be interested in getting a strap for my watch too. The bracelet is very comfortable but you have to be very careful of the clasp as it picks up lots of tiny scratches even if you're careful. There's another topic on here (from a couple of weeks ago) where Bry has said that the metal can be hardened to stop this.