I give you my answer on what is the better watch to spend your money on.... Omega SMPC or the used Planet Ocean 8500? Thanks for watching guys let me know what your preference is!
Having owned the Planet Ocean for 12 years now (obviously pre ceramic) I am still totally in love with it. I really believe it is a hugely undervalued and underrated watch. Beautiful!
Very fair assessment of the 8500 series Planet Ocean. I think the exhibition case back and beautiful finish on the movement is a joy to behold. It’s the only thing I sort of miss with my 2500 series P.O. Since my watch is probably 14 years old, I sent it into Omega for a full service. It came back in pristine showroom condition and gains about a half second a day. That’s the best automatic movement performance I’ve ever personally experienced. The watch is not for everyone. It is big and chunky. The 8500/8900 series more so than the Gen. 1 2500 series. It also is quite heavy on the wrist when mounted on the bracelet. I can only wear it for a few hours at a time before my wrist gets tired. So most of the time, it is on an Isofrane rubber strap, which is less weighty and more comfortable. But I love it! To my eye, there is no other diver watch on the market that is more attractive, and I completely understand that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. There is something about Omega designs that speak to me far better than Rolex. Kind of like how I prefer Audi automobiles over Mercedes Benz. Nothing wrong with MB or Rolex - I just don’t like them as much. The Submariner comparison I think relates better to the Seamaster Professional 300. The Planet Ocean better matches to the Deep Sea dweller, and is about half the retail price.
Great video - I have recently fallen in love with the Planet Ocean, but in 39.5 mm. - I'm not a big guy and haven't got massive wrists, so 39.5 mm. will be perfect!
Great film. As noted by other reviewer, the orange really 'pops' on this PO; 42mm perfect size, & thickness no problem, just adds a little more 'presence'. Older Seamaster, with Bond link, a beauty, too, 'waves' & all. OP & Seamaster are two entirely different Omegas, & both are fantastic
I have the 42mm Planet Ocean 2500 matte black dial/ black bezel with white tri arabics and it's still my favorite iteration of this model, I do definitely appreciate the upgrades of the 8500 and 8900 versions but there are elements of the original design that they weren't able to capture in the newer versions, the original is just so classic it will never look dated.
Bruce - I got my PO 8500 about 3 years ago and love it. I do bash it on door frames but it stands up to everything I've put it through. One suggestion - the previous owner had invested in an adjustable clasp for it and I full-heartedly think it is a worthwhile upgrade. It hugely raises my satisfaction in the watch - in addition to being able to adjust for wrist size throughout the day, I can choose to wear it tighter to the wrist if wearing a dress shirt but loosen it up if wearing a t-shirt / casual look. As well, climbing up onto things with the bracelet extended allows the crown not to dig into the back of my hand. Once I got really interested in watches I spent about a year of looking around for one watch that could do it all and I still haven't found something that displaces the PO for that. The only competitor for it to me was the Rolex GMT or Sub, but being just 27 when I bought it I didn't want my extended family or friends to instantly know how much my watch cost. Your average person sees an omega and they usually don't think twice about the watch, whereas with a Rolex there are too many other preconceptions.
Very good move to get this watch and good question at the end. In an alternative world, this one would slam dunk on the Submariner’s head. But I think everyone who ends up “settling down” for the Omega still on the back of his mind still wants a Sub while the opposite doesn’t hold. It’s like once you have the Explorer, you’d never think about getting a Tudor Ranger. If you love the Sub design there’s no way around the fact that you need one. If you don’t love it then the Omega is a hell of a purchase for life. I regularly go through this mental process. I love the look and the PO and want to experience it but I know I need a Sub or Sea-Dweller in my life and that it would be 100% definitive. For now, enjoy the PO, you got the best version probably.
I have all of the Rolex dive watches in my collection (Sea-Dweller Deepsea James Cameron, 126660; Sea-Dweller 43mm 50th Anniversary 126600 (on my wrist as I type this); Submariner "Hulk" 116610LV) among several other non-diving watches...and I still feel the need to buy an Omega Planet Ocean. Currently deciding between the 8900 43.5mm or the 9900 45.5 mm Chronograph. This watch collecting thing is getting to be a sickness. I need to get rid of some watches because they're starting to own me rather than me own them! They are meant to be enjoyed, not obsessed after.
I definitely liked 43.5 more on my 7.25" wrist. Chronograph was too bulky and busy for my taste. Plus I never use the chrono feature so it only obscures the dial for me.
@@nunyafuckinbizniz The oldest Submariner I have is the original 50th Anniversary, green aluminum dial ("Kermit"). It was released in 2003, so over 20 years ago. Not sure if that meets your definition of vintage.
I have the Chrono 45.5 version with an orange 12 o'clock and I absolutely love it. It's big and chunky but oh so amazingly beautiful. I find myself staring at it and the 9300 movement as well thru the sapphire back. I find it comparable to the Rolex Deep Sea Cameron edition but at a much better price and without drawing too much attention to myself with it on. I feel comfortable wearing it out and about whether I'm wearing jeans and a t-shirt or if I'm at the office.
I had the newer version blue 43.5mm with the ceramic bezel but on the strap. I also had the newest seamaster 300M. I loved it but I have to say the one you bought is by far my favorite. I absolutely love that matte black bezel. I regret going for the blue version!!! If I ever buy this watch again I won’t ever sell it.
Hey Bruce, great video! I just did the exact same thing, out with the Blue SMPc and in with the exact PO as you. It was a great move for me too, I've owned 4 SMPc's and I just couldnt get past the bezel grip & action as well as the look and feel of the 5 link bracelet. I really like the PO bracelet and the bezel action and workmanship is far superior. I'm a big SMPc fanboy but the entire Planet Ocean watch is a step up in all aspects. The only drawback may be the thickness but even that fades away because the Planet Ocean is so well balanced! Cheers
Solid Effing Piece Bruce you nailed it on this one.👌👌👌 This is a proper divers watch!!! Bezel action is proper on these the clicking noise is perfect for under water!!! Looking for an old One atm
Now I love this piece and think its so much better than the new Seamaster! If I ever retire the old 2531.80 Bond I would jump to the PO without a doubt but still chasing that Speedmaster Pro. Great video Bruce..
I own the white dial orange bezel version. For me it's the nicest in the range and the one that stood out for me. Extremely happy with it and it wears really well on my wrist
I have the 37.5mm PO version featuring the 8520 Coaxial movement. Believe it or not, Omega classifies the model I bought to belong to their Ladies’ collection! 😱
Fantastic review Bruce...I love the PO I can see why you like it so much...yours is a little thicker than the gen1 2500 but not as thick as the 8900 and has a lot of the benefits of the new PO. Thank you for another excellent video :)
I have the 45.5 version with the rhodium numbers and it was absolutely the watch that spoke to me. I fell in love with it when I saw it in Skyfall and had to have it. Other Omegas have come into and left my collection but my 8500 PO will never leave! Sharp piece Bruce and as always great review!
Thanks for posting this one Bruce. The PO is on my radar. I prefer the look of bezel and the bracelet on the PO over the Dive master. I just can’t decide whether to buy a Speedmaster or a PO. I’ll probably end up with both someday but not until I’ve added a Glashutte Original to my collection.
The best thing about your channel is that you flip watches so often that when ever I am in the market for a particular watch, chances are you've owned and there is a review on it. This one is on my short list.
The 42 mm hits the spot . I have the 8500 with the matte bezel. Less bling more business. Movement runs at +0.5 a day. Don’t need the 8900 for these reasons. My 2 cents.
That particular planet ocean doesn't have the liquid metal bezel. It has a ceramic bezel but the indices and numbers are printed on. Kind of a design flaw but it means the numbers and bezel coating can be scratched
You left out one big advantage of the PO…the bracelet with a quick adjustment. The quality of the bezel and the bracelet made me go with the PO. It just looks better and with a nice AD discount, a steal.
Not many reviews on the PO..I never liked the SM bracelet design since the quartz days..I have the old 2500 45mm PO. With orange 6,9,12..just recently swapped out the bracelet with a rubber strap..feels so much lighter..😁 I love your model too compared to the latest one which no longer has a 45 except the Chrono one..
Congrats Bruce. If anything, I think you made a step up from the prior SMP. I have the 2201.50.00 42mm 2500 movement version (c2010), it's great. I do not feel the need for a comparable steel sports Rolex, as this is just as durable and substantially better value for money. Wear in good health. Cheers.
I always loved the Planet Ocean - esp. the 2500 ones, but I feel like Omega sadly got it wrong with it's latest iteration. A lot of the PO's DNA was lost in the upgrade process. The watch looks like a fashion watch to me with it's polished ceramic dial and bezel and polished steel hour markers. I understand that Omega wants the watch to subjectively look and feel more luxurious to appeal to a broader audience but that's not what the PO is about imo. It is the modern incarnation of a tool watch and I wish that Omega would return to a more utilitarian looking design to reflect that. Your example is very nice too and probably the perfect compromise. 42mm is a fantastic size for a modern diver and paired with the 8500 movement, a matte bezel and more readable dial, it's one of the most desirable POs out there if you ask me. Please don't flip this one Bruce 😂
@@evvignes Omega told me directly that the indices are rhodium plated stainless steel. Maybe they changed it by now to white gold, but I doubt that. If they did though, it would drive me personally even further away from the PO. I can see why people would appreciate the use of gold on a watch at this price point but to me, it's just out of place on a watch that's supposed to be a dive watch, worn in adverse conditions.
I got a PO 2201.51. Love it! I've tried the smps from time to time every year to see if I'd like them. I dont like the 5 link bracelet on them either. I wish they'd release one with a 3 link.
Not sure what you mean but when people put the model number in the title or description it allows the viewer to be sure exactly which watch you are speaking about. Great to have that information front and center. Thanks again for the review!
That’s a beautiful watch! Can’t wait to see it on a leather/Nato strap! That’s awesome your wife doesn’t give you crap about spending so much $ on watches.
Been wearing this same model for over four years, it’s definitely a keeper. Started with rubber deployment and later added the bracelet. I prefer the rubber much more. I find it more comfortable, significantly lighter and the quality is insane. Also, after wearing a rolex oyster bracelet for awhile, the PO’s bracelet felt too thick. This watch is OK on NATOs, but it loves Isofrane style straps, especially orange. Divers mesh looks killer as well. Didn’t care for it on leather/gator. Thanks
I agree it’s a better looking watch, but that’s just aesthetics and opinion, which is all very good. It’s the newer Planet Ocean watches that I prefer to the Rolex Sub, no doubt about that at all , not all versions of the Sub but at the price level of a good Omega, what’s that? About £6.500? No contest! Thanks for the vid
Have got this PO 8500 42mm with silver markers and the 300M 2018 black. If I had to chose from one I'd go with PO. Currently am thinking if I should upgrade to PO 8900, but they are starting with 43.5mm and think that is little too big for my wrist. Love both the PO 8500 and 300M 8800, both in black. Oh, the straps, PO bracelet is way better for me, 300M is on leather now. BTW, PO 8500 is not using LiquidMetal tech.
You're right - this model's bezel is ceramic, but not liquid metal. The titanium good planet version of the 8500 in blue is ceramic with liquid metal (it says so on the back of the case).
Looks great. Regarding the bezel action of the Seamaster 300 being nowhere as good as the Subbie. I’ve experienced $50 Faulex Submariners which have bezel actions as good as the real thing...if the Chinese can knock out top quality bezels, how come a $4000 Omega can’t?
Think the Seamaster is junior league but more wearable on everyday basis. P.O. is upper league, for diving, thick and big as it should if you want a true dive computer backup. Same as a regular Sub and a big Deep Sea. I have both : one for everyday wear, and one for out there in the ocean.
Dont think it's a worthy replacement because of the big thickness....But it's a different replacement...Of course I'm inclined to lower thickness watches
Great choice! I have the newer 43.5 and an older 2201.50. Love both but the 2201.50 is really going to be a classic in the future I think (even though mine has the 2500C). Cheers.
By comparison to Seamaster diver 300m 2019 and Planet Ocean, I think I would choose a diver 300. Planet is way to thick on the wrist. If the Thickness decreases on the Planet Ocean, i would consider it.
Without guards for the crown one will be knocking the screw loose. Been my experience and the risk of water intrusion is something I do not look forward too. Sea-Master 300 all day everyday, just my .05 worth.
