Two seamasters side by side comparison. ✔ PATREON / thetimelesswatchchannel ✔ I N S T A G R A M / thetimelesswatchchannel ✔ F A C E B O O K / the-timeless-watch-cha... ✔ E M A I L thetimelesswatchchannel@gmail.com
When I started shopping for the newest Seamaster, I planned to buy the blue version. Instead, I chose the the black dialed version, it felt more subtle and versatile.
@@danisheverblue I was torn between the back and the white vial... But since it was my first watch I felt the black went with more things... The white is sick
@@lukemallet916 when I ask my wife if the white one goes with whatever I’m wearing, she says that “ gorgeous watch goes with anything. “. And she means it!
I purchased the new blue one on the bracelet today. I've ordered a blue rubber strap for it too. Call it an early birthday present for myself. 56 next month!
I got the black and I was set on the blue dial. Black looks is both casual and also dressy when required. Worked out great as I also have a blue save the ocean seiko samurai which I also love.
The new Omega Diver might be the most beautiful Diving Watch I’ve ever seen. I just bought the black one with rubber strap. Simply stunning. One thing that’s never mentioned is the change in the hour hand. The new one is much nicer looking.
The original in blue, quartz and steel insert was my first luxury watch. Devastated when it was stolen some years ago as it shared a lot of memories. Have the current model in black and love it.
I have the black version of the older one. Bought new in 2010 and its my fav. watch. I love it, 12 years later never serviced and its still running -1/sec a day. unreal. The new one is cool, but.. too big for me now. I think the 41mm was best ;-)
LOVE that you mentioned the gleaming handset on the original version. Thats one of the things i love about the OG. I actually prefer it over the newer models due to its manageable and versatile case size as well as the unique gleam of the aluminium bezel vs that of ceramic
Based on the pics and vids I was undecided between the new one and the previous version for a long time, but as soon as I saw them next to each other in real life, I was sold for the new one. I've had mine for about half a year now and absolutely love it! I fully agree that it's just as good as my Submariner, which is funny since I literally payed half the price of the Sub for the Omega!
I have the old one in quartz. The exact reference that Brosnan wore in the movie. Definitely gives me nostalgia to when I was a kid, I love James Bond movies of the 90s. I agree that the new one is a bit over done. The shade of blue they choose almost looks cartoonish in a way. The over $5k price tag is a bit of a shocker as well, it may well be worth the cash with the co-axial movement and such but that's more than I'd ever spend. The $1,200 I spent on the quartz was already a stretch.
See I love the pre-ceramic 2006 model with the original wave dial, applied markers and coaxial escapement. Best of both worlds. My grail. Plus Casino Royale
Very nice review. We have the original midsize quartz and the Bond 41mm mechanical (2006). We passed the midsize on to the Mrs, an attorney, who regularly wears it. Adjustment of the original bracelet is not easy, as it uses the pin & collar system. My original will be passed on to my nephew. We have the original Planet Ocean with Co-Axil movement. The Seamaster 300M actually keeps better time than the Planet Ocean, even after having it cleaned, serviced & regulated by Omega in SoCal. I’m a retired 🇺🇸 special agent. Most of the agents preferred Rolex I but being a contrarian, gravitated to Omega. Love my 1999 “Man on the Moon”, which like my other Omegas will outlast me and not be sold. I invested in stocks not watches 😁
Great piece. I really do have to say though that I think which seamaster you will like is based on the day that you got interested in watches. Right now there's an incredible new amount of interest in luxury watches. With the new crowd it seems that a lot of the new purchasers are turned off by the scarcity of Rolex. They hit a milestone in their life and they want to treat themselves by walking into an AD and buying what they like. Currently that is the Omega seamaster. It seems to me that future collecting is dependent on the mindset of 10-20 year olds. When you hit your 40's you've got peak purchasing power. We will see if my theory plays out with that. Rolex trying to become the new AP, or Patek I think will hurt them because Patek and AP fetch higher prices they do so at significantly less volume.
I've got the old version, but there are 3 things I prefer on the new one: 1. The date is at the 6. It makes it look more symmetrical. 2. The bracelet. The old one looks...old. 3. The skeleton back. It's just super cool. The downside is that helium valve. Too chunky. Great video comparison.
Well done review and commentary. I myself love the newer version and wear it every day. It's thick, but all of the modern Omegas are. But it's not obtuse. My big complaint for all of these are the skeleton hands, which makes it hard to see the time at night. Just not enough looooommmmm. Anyway... The newest edition has fit and finish that is mind blowing and superior to most dive watches under 10 grand. The anti-magnetic properties are as good as it can get and therefore it's a keeper. For me. EDIT: Let me also state that the gliding micro adjustments are fantastic in the summer. During winter it stays in the closed position but during summer I am always opening it up up up as the day progresses. Once you have a bracelet with this function you can never go back.
Agreed! Regarding the clasp o actually had mine fitted in the winter with the glide setting in the middle cause like you said my wrist swells in summer months and I can make it bigger but in the winter I also notice my wrist shrinks and I need to make it smaller than normal size. I noticed this when I originally had the bracelet set to the smallest setting in winter and it was super cold the watch would slide down. So now long story short I set it to the middle so I can not only make it larger but I can also make it smaller
I believe the buzz saw watch (used to cut rope) was a Rolex Sub from Live and let die... though there were a number of other gadgets on the SMP during later films.
Mate, I can’t believe the condition of your 1993 Seamaster! Mine’s from ‘98 and my bezel has faded to a light blueberry color and the tip of my second hand is a very faint orange. Yours looks like it was never out of the box! Beautiful and great video as always. I’ve only recently discovered your channel (sorry, I watch too many RU-vid watch channels so I recently filtered down to a few I really like, including yours) and I’ve really been enjoying your content. Cheers!
Hey Bill, I noticed that too, it looks new, it could well be that the watch was serviced, the dial of 1993 model should have patina on it (unless new) the bezel is perfect, that might have been replaced during service too. Omega are replacing bezel and insert to the seamaster 300 blue during service for free, they will need to keep the old bezel, at least here in the UK
Last October I had a choice of the new or the out going model without the waves. I took the older with the latest 2500D movement no wave dial. I had no use for the over done waves. My watch is currently running just over 2 seconds a day. Couldn't be happier with my no 🌊.
Lot of love for the old one but i think the new one is the perfect evolution of the Seamaster. I have mine for a year now and i’m enjoying it like the first day. Great review as always.
I have the older as well. 20 years of reliable service. Incredible time keeping. The new one is beautiful and I'd definitely buy one but I wouldn't trade mine in for equal money. Bigger versions are never better in watches unless your going ladies size to man size. Thankfully Omega still offers the Speedy in nearly original form. Could be my next watch. Cheers.
I have an original 90's model seamster chrono in titanium and the helium escape knob is central over the 10'O'clock mark. Used it for diving wore it almost everyday, and still a fantastic watch. Dont like the new design, looks like they have made it look cheaper although I do like the clear glass back. The sapphire crystal glass on the old design is still good and the bezel can still be used with divers gloves. Dislikes are the £500 to service.
Brilliant review/comparison of the older and new Seamasters - enjoyable and very informative, so thank you for making the video and putting it up here for everyone to see.
Same. It gives it character...its a feature mostly unique to this watch. Boo to the people who want the Omega Seamaster to be a clone of the Rolex Submariner
dwp64 I like both I think they did a really good job on both ...as time goes by I beleive ones will warm up to the new one , and there are a lot of ones like myself that like it now... and yet love the older style one also , you have to give Omega more credit they know what there doing , you can't make them the same and for marketing and for keeping resale values up it just makes you want both and keeps the integrity of the past gens and keeps there value up not just for Omega but for all who own them .....Outstanding Omega Well Done................
Wish you used periods. Anyways, I agree with everything you said. Over time this one will be a classic. It modernized in the best ways possible. I do think they might dial the size back a bit in the future. But as a taller guy like myself, the new Omega is the perfect size
I dive , like ( diving is my hobby ) and I tell you something : Dive watches are built for desk divers and dive snobs ; modern diving has to be managed by dive computers and very sophisticated electronics , otherwise you die underwater . The truth , real divers when they used dive watches , only used them for diving purposes , out of the water ... they just used regular watches . By the way , dive computers leave no room on your wrist for a dive watch . Desk divers and watch snobs , rock those things like they are amphibious . Lol .
New one wins!! Up to 15000 anti magnetic Ceramic bezel and insert Better bezel action Micro clasp Date window at 6 Bullet proof 8800 movement Very accurate gains only 3 min a month 42 mm Original wave pattern
3 minutes a month? I got something like a minute a month on mine. Sapphire on the back so you can enjoy the beauty of 8800. Ceramic dial. Sits comfortably on the wrist.
I own three seamasters, 2003 black wave dial yellow gold bezel, 2004 titanium black non wave dial red gold bezel and a 2020 blue dial. Whilst I love the subtlety of the older wave dial and the sword hands, the new one is just an unbelievably spec’d watch for the money. The dial is incredible (looks anything from grey, light blue, bright blue, or black depending on lighting) and since it’s purchase last July, I’ve had a very difficult time getting it off the wrist. If I had to narrow my collection to just one watch, this would be the one!
Mine is the intermediate version. Non-wave ceramic. It makes it dressier, which sometimes I like, sometimes I regret. I COULDNT deal with the larger case or see-through caseback. Not on a diver. Out of principle.
Great review. I'm currently considering buying the new 2018 model..shopping around ..agree with your comments..they are good food for thought...I prefer the more classical subtle look but there are too many upgrades on the newer model to bypass it..
I like the new one! I have the 2008 Sea Master James Bond Black dial Quartz version since 2012.... Its time to upgrade to the new one. Thank you Sir for a very detailed comparison!
I watched this video more than once since I'm a big fan of the Seamaster line in general and the blue one always was something special for me. I don't have one of the watches shown in this video but the 2220.80 which has been worn by Daniel Craig in Casino Royale. It has all the nice things from the 2531, the slim case, the subtle wave pattern, the nicely draping bracelet and the tucked in helium escape valve. Plus applied markers and logo, the red Seamaster writing on the dial and of course a co-axial movement. Can't wait to get it back from service.
I have alot of the same thoughts as you with my Omega it's just a different model but similar differences, I have a Seamaster Planet Ocean first gen 2500c 42mm, matte black dial/black bezel with white tri arabics, now this watch does have a sentimental value as it was a gift from my uncle/godfather on my 30th birthday who I pretty much caught the watch bug from at a young age so it's pretty much priceless to me but it is what I would consider my first luxury watch and I absolutely love it, over the years I've really grown to appreciate the styling even more, Omega make a great watch and I'm a fan of they're watches but as I've seen the newer versions of the PO all in all I still prefer mine, yes the newer models are beautiful, I really do appreciate the newer upgrades like the adjustable clasp, ceramic bezel and movements to name a few because they are really impressive and I know the quality is there but it's the subtle understated look of mine that I love, the matte black dial instead of the newer gloss finish, the white tri arabics instead of the polished applied arabics on the newer models, ect, I know exactly what you mean when you talk about how the hands look like they're floating at some angles, it's amazing! The AR coating makes the crystal disappear! The thicker case of the newer one is a little much at a little over 16mm if I'm not mistaken, mine is already a beefy 14.5mm thick but not nearly over the top for a 600m depth rating but its just in my opinion a better looking watch then the current version and wears better, the display caseback on the new versions are cool and I understand that Omega would want to show off the beautiful movements they're producing but I also like my engraved Seamaster Hippocampus caseback especially on a real dive watch, in your words" a more grown up watch" I agree, it's less blingy and more toolish with a certain charm to it in of itself and I love that about it, there's only ever one original⌚, I'm a new subscriber and I like your approach to the content of the hobby and watches we love, look forward to more of your videos 👍
4 года назад
Thanks for your comments David. More content coming soon! Thanks for watching!
Good comparison. I prefer the dial in the old one. The wave pattern in the new one looks too clinical and disappears in some areas especially under certain angles. Cupcake HEV is kind of odd but not a deal breaker in itself. Bracelet however is a big minus to me. I'd have it replaced with rubber, NATO, leather, anything but that bracelet. My only deal breaker is the skeleton hands. This is the main reason I went with the 2005 PO2500 Casino Royale instead, love the neptunian arrow hands, the bracelet, the overall rugged and badass toolwatch look. This doesn't mean I can't appreciate a dressy looking diver (Breitling SOH, Rolex YM which is almost a diver, VC overseas) but somehow the skeleton hands ruin it for me. But hey it's good to have different tastes, else life would be boring. Great content as always. Take care.
I had to make a choice for my first 'proper' watch and I bought a 38mm Aqua Terra that has the 8800 movement in it... absolutely unbelievable movement. Gains 0.8spd during the day and less than that during the night (although I've figured out the angle to leave it overnight LOL)
the old one is masterpiece, art & quality toghether , the time extend its value, the modern looks modern, has much of old design but not the same class , look astonish in compare with today wathes but the oldone is very beautifull with the small waves , i also disagree with the dayposition in 6 o' clock
An interesting review. Thanks. I used to have the mid size quartz in the black in about 2010. A really nice watch, but a tad too small for my wrist, so I sold it on. I've recently purchased the latest 42 mm in green with the rubber strap. A stunning looking watch that I'll keep. The build quality is superb. I think the helium escape valve is a feature of the Seamaster. I don't really notice it. Long may it continue. I prefer the rubber strap over the bracelet. Just a personal preference. I find It's much more comfortable to wear.
I own both the new Omega SMP300M and the SubC Nodate. I love Omega and it's the geekier watch with the better specs but if you hold the Sub in your hand, it feels like a higher quality watch in terms of the materials used. The bezel and crown action are second to none and the watch is basically an institution and a financial asset. The higher price of the Sub is still justified. I only want to keep one of the two which is a hard decision. Love them both.
I have the new one in blue and it’s a awesome piece to live with and own. Time keeping is incredible as is build quality. Always loved the original design and this new one is a new and modern evolution of that watch but it also leap frogs it’s Rolex competition in quality at the same time. I’m a Rolex fan too but the new Seamaster is a better watch than the sub although the sub is a beautiful watch.
Daniel D'Esposito at certain angles on my Seamaster it looks like the crystal isn’t there👍🏼 the applied markers look particularly cool and flawless as you look across the crystal too. I don’t want to put down Rolex as I really like them but I think they are more interested in games and marketing than quality unfortunately.
I love the original seamaster , I bought the one in the middle , plane black face , with ceramic dial , the new wave dial is on my must have , white face with black rubber strap , such a great look .
They should have kept the subtle wave dial for the new model but still added the raised indices and ceramic bezel. Icing on the cake would be sword hands.
I own the old one, bought new in 2000 and I prefer it. Has a timeless look, super comfortable bracelet, date at the 3:00, solid back with the iconic logo and the wavy dial just blends in better. The only negative is the aluminum bezel which is difficult to rotate. The dislike the looks of the new one even though it has great specs.
Have the old version but w/the black wave dial calibre 2500 and love as a daily beater, so versatile - you’re absolutely right about how the light shimmers off the hands. I always wonder why they didn’t use a flush helium escapement like Breitling and others have done 🤷🏻♂️
I have the old one and love it. I have been tempted by the new one but having tried it on in store it has reinforced how excellent the original looks and feels. Also now its gaining the mustard pip colour it is a really practical vintage watch in a time when companies are imitating that look.
4 года назад
2531.80 is my first luxury watch, it was either this or a Tudor Black Bay (with the blue bezel). So happy I picked the Omega though, It's even better than I could have imagined looking at the pictures and videos, and at a great price point. Awesome video as always, thank you
You haven't told us your name...anyway about the back display - its there because the Swatch Group likes to show their excellent Omega motor - and because few owners actually dive with it and many more use it as a dress watch. I personally love to watch a beautifully finished motor in action. Can't trace your accent, but like me, its your second language - except your pronunciation (and watch collection) is better than mine. Liked and subscribed. Excellent channel - cheers!
The Spinning Bezel was on a Rolex in the Connery era... and the the Casino Royale model Daniel Craig ware was actually the updated ref 2220.80.00 that featured applied indeces and the new in house coaxial movement. Also, all of Brosnan's movies were indeed with the auto 2531.80.00, save the first, Goldeneye specifically, was actually ref 2541.80.00, the Quartz version... he calls this out in "Tomorrow Never Dies" where he gets the "newer" [better] model.
Nice review. I'll take my old (2000) 2531.80 with the painted on lume hour markers and aluminum bezel insert, sexier dial and everything is just the right size. You start super sizing watches that have the same look and it's not always a good end result. He haven't done a thing to my old lad, its second hand has faded to a bright orange, the dial has faded a bit but at 19 years of age it still keeps amazing time and the super luminova still glows brightly through the night.. I'll stick with the original! I'll agree with you on the clasp, as with most brands watches from the 90's &early 2000's the bracelets and clasp weren't the best and all the big boys have upgraded their bracelets and clasps, which I really enjoy but lets use Rolex as the bracelets and clasp are stunning today but i'm not into these fat lugged maxi cases, the old Submariner case was so damn sexy and miss it in the brand..
I’m surprised they didn’t keep the new date wheel white because at the 6 position a white date wheel would help it blend in better because it would just elongate the hour marker below it giving that hour marker the appearance of being full size just like the 3,9 & 12 markers.
Just watched this video again and mist say that even though new seamaster looks beautiful, im gonna pull the trigger on the old version. I like the improvements on the new one, font is far better looking and on the fly adjustment is huge but the slimmer and more classic look of the old one is what influenced me the most. The only downside to the old one is the lack of micro adjustment unfortunately which can be a pain considering it has a pin and collar system…
love it, i have the earlier model and totally agree with you especially about the bezel i went back to the dealer a couple of times but its just the way it is.
This is exactly the video I've been looking for. Which model to aspire to? The original quartz from GoldenEye? The automatic from the following Brosnan movies? The midsize version? The new one? You've sold me on the older automatic. One day 🤞
i bought a new seamaster professional automatic in the late 1990’s. I agree the old looks nicer, with its subtly. I think the new one looks too exact; it’s like comparing digital audio to vinyl. --I got the white dial, with a nice subtle wave, which I like much more than the new laser etch. I got the all stainless steel, including the bezel. I read the white dial isn’t popular, compared to the blue. However, I wouldn’t have mine any other way. -downsides I found… it requires quite frequent maintenance if worn as a ‘beater watch’-(i.e. use it for any use, like a professional sports watch should be worn). I also don’t like how the stainless bezel costs 300$ to replace with each service, as it cannot be polished like the bracelet during service. And if you’re gonna polish the bracelet, I think it’s best to replace the bezel.
Great video! Another difference- The new Seamaster is a Master Chronometer with a higher precision of 0/+5 seconds per day and a 55 hour power reserve. Hard to beat really.
“One of the biggest differences is the size”? 1 mm is the biggest difference? Not the in house movement, adjustable clasp...... going from 42 to 41 is hardly noticeable compared to some other differences in my opinion. The new one appears to have some serious upgrades to it. While the old one is the “classic bond” and the original, the new one has been upgraded to the highest order.
Doesn't sound like much but the 1mm increase in diameter, combined with the 50mm lug to lug (3mm more!!) and increased thickness make the new one look massive. Ridiculously huge imo.
A helium escape valve is for saturation diving or when diving from a diving bell/capsule that has gone down or has been "blown down" to depth. While descending in depth the air pressure increases. Typically, regular air nitrogen and oxygen molecules are not small enough to penetrate the watch crystal. But when bell or saturation diving, bottom time is extended and/or the bends are mitigated by adding helium to the air mixture (i.e., heliox) -- and helium under the pressure of depth can penetrate the watch crystal. Then when the diving bell/capsule or decompression chamber surfaces, the helium trapped inside the crystal cannot escape fast enough and it can blow out the crystal as the depth pressure decreases outside the watch. The reason you might want to release the valve with gloves or underwater is when you are surfacing in the cold bell/capsule, or when you start out in a diving bell pr underwater habitat, but then exit and surface using in-water decompression stops instead of a chamber.
I wish they could have done all of the upgrades (Movement, Ceramic Bezel, bracelet clasp, screw links) while retaining the old case and softer bracelet shape.. Then offer either the laser ZrO2 or thev lathe wave dial as an two different options.
The bezel never spun and cut rope that was the Rolex Submariner in the Roger Moore era. Goldeneye it had the laser cutter and the helium valve was an explosive detonator. 🤙🤙 great vid tho keep up the epic work
I’ve just bought the NTTD SMP300 on the NATO configuration. Stunning watch: a real piece of eye candy. There’s one thing I dislike intensely tho: the feel of the bezel? Feels really cheap & “clacky” Certainly not what you expect on a piece costing north of 7k. No I’m not a diver & won’t use it, but, you know it’s there. Inexplicably bad for a watch of that calibre.
I have the original blue, quartz, 41mm. I bougth the new 42 in white and love it but will love it way more if it was tiner and 41 even on 7.25inch wrist. I prefer my Omega to my sub!!
I have once read that the blank caseback of the Rolex is for personal engraving. But I am an Omega guy and like both case backs that are being showed here.
I really enjoy your videos & appreciate your humility. I’ve owned both & currently own the latest Seamaster co axial master. I have say it’s like anything there’s certain things I miss about the earlier version. However, I like it’s a bit brash & the co axial movement makes it the clear winner for me. Cheers
You ought to investigate the old style Seamaster chronographs sometime. It was worn by one of the villains in a Bond movie before. The chrono hands on it have red color and pop underwater in the sunlight like a Ferrari dashboard! It is quite thick, though. I love mine! Just think, a Submariner and a Daytona put into one watch, and the buttons even work underwater.
Take 1990's model, get rid of the bracelet pins and use screws. Then get rid of the Helium escape valve. Then put white gold rings around the hour markers. Then you would have a real upgrade.
