Newbie. Which Seamaster?

[VXR_Driver]

I've been looking at Seamaster Aqua Terras for my first nice watch. Unfortunately I can't choose between 2803.80.37, 2503.34.00 and 2503.33.00 see links.

Blue Face, Leather
White Face, Rose Gold, Steel
White Face, Blue, Steel

I'm new to all this. Is there any way I can view them all side by side, so I can make an informed decision? I haven't seen any of them in the high-street. If I ask my local Goldsmiths to order them all, are they likely to tell me to jog on?

Lastly, I understand that all of the above have the 2500 movement, and that the range are slowly being transitioned over to the 8500. If I buy one of the above now, will I regret not waiting and buying a watch with the newer movement? Will it cost alot more to buy/service a watch with the 8500? What are the main differences other than the longer power reserve on the 8500?

Sorry about all the questions.

Mark.

Edited by VXR_Driver on Sunday 16th August 17:00

[immigrant]

Can't help with information about the movements but those look particularly well suited to the crocodile straps. Beautiful!

[Athlon]

The white face with blued hands looks stunning and different, that would be my choice.

Also, it is recommended to buy on the bracelet and buy a strap later as to do it the other way around is very expensive.

[Debaser]

Does anyone know if/when the Planet Oceans will also move over from the 2500 to the 8500?

[Dominic H]

VXR_Driver said:

I've been looking at Seamaster Aqua Terras for my first nice watch. Unfortunately I can't choose between 2803.80.37, 2503.34.00 and 2503.33.00 see links.

Blue Face, Leather
White Face, Rose Gold, Steel
White Face, Blue, Steel

I'm new to all this. Is there any way I can view them all side by side, so I can make an informed decision? I haven't seen any of them in the high-street. If I ask my local Goldsmiths to order them all, are they likely to tell me to jog on?

Lastly, I understand that all of the above have the 2500 movement, and that the range are slowly being transitioned over to the 8500. If I buy one of the above now, will I regret not waiting and buying a watch with the newer movement? Will it cost alot more to buy/service a watch with the 8500? What are the main differences other than the longer power reserve on the 8500?

Sorry about all the questions.

Mark.

Edited by VXR_Driver on Sunday 16th August 17:00

Hi Mark,

All 3 are nice watches, I'd choose 2503.30.00 as the blued steel hands works for me. Also, the replacement straps are probably in the region of £175 to replace. Which could start to be a pain if the watch is worn everyday.
With regard to viewing all three at once, you can only ask. If Goldsmiths has all 3 in stock accross their branches they'd probably arrange to have them sent in to show. If not, try one of the Omega boutiques at Royal Exchange in the City or old Bond St in the West End.

You also have mail.....

Dom H

[VXR_Driver]

Dominic H said:

Also, the replacement straps are probably in the region of £175 to replace. Which could start to be a pain if the watch is worn everyday.

Thank you, sir. I do plan to wear the watch daily, so this is a slight concern for me. Tell me more. Are croc straps not very hard-wearing?

[Animal]

Go for a bracelet! You can always buy a strap (or do a deal on getting one cheaply as a spare when you buy your watch) if you prefer the look, but a bracelet is so much more durable.

One of my watches (although not an Omega) hasn't been on my wrist since Jan last year because I refuse to put another strap on it and I don't have £800 for a bracelet :0(

[andy tims]

It's got to be the one you prefer, but I like the steel, white face, blue hands version best.

[CmdrBond]

Another vote for the white face/blue hands/bracelet option. On my list to own eventually

[fivesixseven8]

Blue face on a bracelet would be my choice.

[CommanderJameson]

White/Blue/Steel.

To be honest, it'll look better on the strap - but you're on about a daily wearer, so a strap is going to be a consumable.

[VXR_Driver]

CommanderJameson said:

White/Blue/Steel.

To be honest, it'll look better on the strap - but you're on about a daily wearer, so a strap is going to be a consumable.

See my comments above. I thought (assumed) that alligator would be hard-wearing. Is that not the case? I'm likely to buy it on steel, but I plan to buy a croc strap and wear it on that right away. If the croc is not very hard-wearing then I'll have to re-think.

How long would you expect a croc to last on a daily wearer? I have a desk job, so it will get rubbed on mouse mat / desk quite alot.

Thanks for your advice so far I wonder if there are any movement junkies or hardcore Omega fans who can answer my 2500 vs 8500 question?

[AshG]

As an owner of the white/blue/steel Seamaster myself (supplied by Dom H. on metal bracelet) I'd say go for it. It's a very clean-looking face and the blue hands and markings are striking yet also quite subtle. In some light conditions, they can look a very dark blue, almost black. In bright light, especially daylight, the blue really stands out. It is also slim, elegant and very comfortable to wear for long periods.

[CommanderJameson]

VXR_Driver said:

CommanderJameson said:

White/Blue/Steel.

To be honest, it'll look better on the strap - but you're on about a daily wearer, so a strap is going to be a consumable.

See my comments above. I thought (assumed) that alligator would be hard-wearing. Is that not the case? I'm likely to buy it on steel, but I plan to buy a croc strap and wear it on that right away. If the croc is not very hard-wearing then I'll have to re-think.

How long would you expect a croc to last on a daily wearer? I have a desk job, so it will get rubbed on mouse mat / desk quite alot.

Thanks for your advice so far I wonder if there are any movement junkies or hardcore Omega fans who can answer my 2500 vs 8500 question?

How long a leather strap would last is a question of how sweaty you are or whether, like me, you're prone to wandering into the shower with your watch on.

[Stitch]

CommanderJameson said:

VXR_Driver said:

CommanderJameson said:

White/Blue/Steel.

To be honest, it'll look better on the strap - but you're on about a daily wearer, so a strap is going to be a consumable.

See my comments above. I thought (assumed) that alligator would be hard-wearing. Is that not the case? I'm likely to buy it on steel, but I plan to buy a croc strap and wear it on that right away. If the croc is not very hard-wearing then I'll have to re-think.

How long would you expect a croc to last on a daily wearer? I have a desk job, so it will get rubbed on mouse mat / desk quite alot.

Thanks for your advice so far I wonder if there are any movement junkies or hardcore Omega fans who can answer my 2500 vs 8500 question?

How long a leather strap would last is a question of how sweaty you are or whether, like me, you're prone to wandering into the shower with your watch on.

We are talking years of daily wear though - not months - unless your sweat has the chemical composition of sulphuric acid!

For £20 odd you can get a perfectly serviceable Hirsch mock-croc strap

[W00DY]

White face, hands and a brown/blue/both croc strap would be my choice. Love the aqua terras though so whatever you go for will look great.

[SaliMali]

Out of those three I'd go for the blue face with leather strap.

Very nice.

[toohuge]

White/Blue/Steel


It looks great in the flesh too! It also looks great on a brown leather strap too.

[Nick_F]

I have a 2503.30.00, which is silver/silver/steel; I was given to understand by all the high street retailers I visited that they're all now very hard to come by as the new range comes in - although someone like DominicH may well be able to give the lie to that - which might mean you'll struggle to find a lot of the variations in the same place. None of the usual chainstore suspects could find one at all.

The new models have a different bracelet, different case and face - too busy in my opinion - designs and, of course, the new movement: and at list prices they're £900 or so more expensive.

[AshG]

Even before the new model Aqua Terras appeared, they were not too common in most high street windows - Planet Oceans, Speedmasters and the James Bond models seemed to be far more ubiquitous...appealing to a wider audience perhaps?

And I agree...while the new Aqua Terras are nice, they've gotten a bit too fussy in the faces, IMO....perhaps heading further over into 'dress watch' territory, rather than the cleaner, more versatile look of the older models.