89 replies to this topic

[Four Aces]

But an Aston Martin is now a Ford also. Yikes!

[Vodka Martino]

Now-- if you wanna talk about the Craig-Omega PO, that is a different story. Heavier, wider, and thicker than either watch I just mentioned above. That said, in one of my reviews on that watch, I argue that its strap engineering makes it every bit as wearable even by folks who find the 2531.80 a smidge too big.

Hey Dell, good to see you here. You may know me as teeritz on some of the Omega forums out in the world wide web. Regarding the PO, I have the 42mm version, but the 45.5mm model just strikes me as Omega's attempt to get on the big watch band-wagon (or is it a Bond-wagon?). My only problem with these large watches is that they prevent guys (or girls, for that matter) with smallish wrists, such as myself, from being able to wear them without the sound of laughter echoing in our ears. Thankfully, Omega made a 42mm model. But I can't help but think that the big watch bubble will burst one day...hopefully soon.

Regarding the product placement in the Bond movies, it's never really bothered me since Fleming was always going on about Sea Island cotton shirts, Berns-Martin holsters and battered Ronson lighters, etc.

Vodka Martino

[Dell Deaton]

Now-- if you wanna talk about the Craig-Omega PO, that is a different story. Heavier, wider, and thicker than either watch I just mentioned above. That said, in one of my reviews on that watch, I argue that its strap engineering makes it every bit as wearable even by folks who find the 2531.80 a smidge too big.

Hey Dell, good to see you here. You may know me as teeritz on some of the Omega forums out in the world wide web. Regarding the PO, I have the 42mm version, but the 45.5mm model just strikes me as Omega's attempt to get on the big watch band-wagon (or is it a Bond-wagon?). My only problem with these large watches is that they prevent guys (or girls, for that matter) with smallish wrists, such as myself, from being able to wear them without the sound of laughter echoing in our ears. Thankfully, Omega made a 42mm model. But I can't help but think that the big watch bubble will burst one day...hopefully soon.

Regarding the product placement in the Bond movies, it's never really bothered me since Fleming was always going on about Sea Island cotton shirts, Berns-Martin holsters and battered Ronson lighters, etc.

Vodka Martino

Remember you well, I do. Very nice to see you here!

Knowing a bit about the circles in which you orbit, is it safe to assume that you've actually tried on an Omega reference 2900.50.91 Planet Ocean? In my experience, it's a completely different experience from the same case on a bracelet. Remember, my frame of reference is the Rolex Submariner 14060M that I tend to keep gravitating back to as my daily wearer.

The latter is certainly not "trendy" (LOL!), in terms of riding any sort of fashion wave, that's for sure. And I certainly do not have Daniel Craig's wrists (now that I think of it, isn't there actually a line in Casino Royale during the updated carpet beater scene where Le Chiffre praises Bond on how he has cared for his wrists? Or am I projecting here?).

Yet I was perfectly comfortable going back and forth over the last couple of months between the Sub and the Omega 2907.50.91 (the otherwise identical Limited Series version of the 2900.50.91). Did you read what I wrote about size and the rubber strap in my Epinions review of the James Bond 007 Planet Ocean <LINK>?

More generally, how do the "Big Size" POs seem to be moving in your neck of the woods?

Thanks for saying "hi" here!

[Vodka Martino]

If the 2900.50.91 is the "Casino Royale" Ltd Ed, then yes, we have four of them in the store where I work. Forgive me if I'm a little rusty on model numbers, but I also have to know the numbers for various Longines, IWCs, Breitlings,TAG Heuers, etc so my head tends to get a little crowded with numbers.
Have I tried it on? I have six-and-a-half inch wrists, Dell, and because the rubber strap on this watch tends to flare out from the side of the lugs instead of hanging straight down, there's no hope in h3ll of me getting a proper fit with this watch. I have tried the 42mm model with the rubber strap and to get a comfortable fit, I need to wear it pretty snug and something tells me that this would put a little too much pressure on the strap where it meets the case. Over a six month period, let's say, this may result in the strap cracking or tearing due to the excessive force being placed on it. I must say that the little 007 logo on the end of the second hand is a nice touch.
How are they selling? I sold a 45.5mm PO on a rubber strap last Saturday and another staff member sold the bracelet model later that day. They are selling quite steadily, but I suggested our Head Office buy up as many 2531.80 Brosnan-era Seamasters as they can, since they've just been discontinued. Once "Casino Royale" is released on DVD, we'll see an increase in sales. This happened four years ago just after "Die Another Day" was released on DVD. My theory is that a lot more people tend to rent the DVD instead of seeing the film in the cinema.
And since the Brosnan model is about a grand cheaper Down Under than the new Daniel Craig model, it makes a big difference to someone who wants the watch, but doesn't care about Co-Axial Escapements.
That's my take.

Vodka Martino

[Dell Deaton]

If the 2900.50.91 is the "Casino Royale" Ltd Ed, then yes, we have four of them in the store where I work.

Believe me, I can empathize w/ keeping up on model numbers; no criticism here. Omega reference 2907.50.91 is actually the model number for the "Casino Royal" Limited Series, and if you have four of them, you've got your hands on some real exclusives! They have been "sold out" in the United States since early December, and, as I understand it, even longer in U.K. There's actually a great thread dedicated to this on CBn, and I hope you'll comment on that as well as here [LINK].

Have I tried it on? I have six-and-a-half inch wrists, Dell, and because the rubber strap on this watch tends to flare out from the side of the lugs instead of hanging straight down, there's no hope in h3ll of me getting a proper fit with this watch. I have tried the 42mm model with the rubber strap and to get a comfortable fit, I need to wear it pretty snug and something tells me that this would put a little too much pressure on the strap where it meets the case. Over a six month period, let's say, this may result in the strap cracking or tearing due to the excessive force being placed on it. I must say that the little 007 logo on the end of the second hand is a nice touch. How are they selling? I sold a 45.5mm PO on a rubber strap last Saturday and another staff member sold the bracelet model later that day.

Sorry to hear this. Of course, I know there's an application threshold for everything, and even "okay for smaller wrists" has its limits. In discussing this w/ an M.D. friend of mine, I've been told that we're not just talking about wrist diameters, but also width across the predominant bone there.

They are selling quite steadily, but I suggested our Head Office buy up as many 2531.80 Brosnan-era Seamasters as they can, since they've just been discontinued. Once "Casino Royale" is released on DVD, we'll see an increase in sales. This happened four years ago just after "Die Another Day" was released on DVD. My theory is that a lot more people tend to rent the DVD instead of seeing the film in the cinema. And since the Brosnan model is about a grand cheaper Down Under than the new Daniel Craig model, it makes a big difference to someone who wants the watch, but doesn't care about Co-Axial Escapements.
That's my take.

Vodka Martino

This has been my thinking for some time now, and I'll be interested to hear how this plays out for you. Beyond simple price, as I anticipated almost a year ago, this piece now moves to a sort of "vintage" status for James Bond 007 fans. (And cheaper by about a grand compared to co-axial here in the U.S., too.)

How cool is that?

That said, I also believe the the Omega 2220.80 Seamaster (even more so than the Planet Ocean) is a huge step toward putting them on par w/ Rolex. It ain't just a dressed up 2531.80, wouldn't you agree?

[Vodka Martino]

Ah Dell, I agree with you regarding the SMP being on par with Rolex. I've been refering to the Seamaster as 'the thinking man's Submariner' for a few years now. That comment always gets me into trouble. But what the h3ll, the luxury wrist-watch industry needs a little hand grenade lobbed into it from time to time.
As for the new Co-Axial being more than a dressed up 2531.80.00, if my AquaTerra and Planet Ocean are anything to go by, then the Co-Axial Seamasters will show outstanding time-keeping. My AT gained 26 seconds over 15 days while the Planet Ocean gained 16 seconds over 15 days. That's beyond COSC rating.
Good enough for me.
Over & out

Vodka M

P.S.- Hey Dell, check your private message box in about 20 minutes. I've got those figures you were after. - VM

[Four Aces]

Presidential Agent, has anybody read the series by W.E.B. Griffin? Life imitating art, or art imitating life?

Edited by Four Aces, 06 February 2007 - 02:33 AM.

[Dell Deaton]

Presidential Agent, has anybody read the series by W.E.B. Griffin? Life imitating art, or art imitating life?

Aces: Wasn't there a Rolex 16610 sitting here in this thread when I last looked, or am I thinking about somewhere else? I would so hate it if I'd misplaced a Sub Date in the Forums!

[Four Aces]

Dell,

I'm back from Africa. Been there a couple of months. Nice way to break in my new Sub Date - out in the field. Yes, I took the pic down. Usually I only leave my pics in photobucket for a few days, then I take them down.

I'm gonna get some nice new suits while I am home.

Time to do taxes too. What a drag.

Cheers,

4A

[JLaidlaw]

Neversaynever way up the thread says the way the line is delivered does damage to Omega, but in a way probably not...

Remember it is being used as a way of defining Bond, and so it has to represent his character. As such it reflects his 'chip on his shoulder' by being the second best he could get. He could easily get a rolex, but he chooses to get an omega, making some sort of rebellious statement against those people he now looks at as his peers. Omega is a cooler brand for this reason alone. Besides which, Omega think, and I'd agree to an extent, the watch Bond wears is Bond's watch, the coolest of all watches.

Personally, the name 'Rolex' just says tacky, nasty, covered with too much sparkle. Even if that's only what they were like in the 80s, the name says that, so I'd go with the Omega. However, I don't think I'd want either. However great it would look with a Dinner Jacket, what if you're wearing casual stuff? You have to bring out the cheap leather strap, which you probably have more sentimental respect for. And how many people actually wear their diving watches when they go diving? (if they go diving?)

The most irritating product placement has to be during the Roger Moore era. With all respect to Roger, he's not a subtle guy when it comes to saying things like 'A bottle of the bolanger', nor are the three billboards the ambulence drives by in Moonraker very subtle, it just shows they couldn't get those products into the film any other way.

[Four Aces]

JLaidlaw,

Actually neither Rolex or Omega should be worn with formal dress, IMO. They are both excellent watches, but are "tool" watches, not "dress" watches. Their dominant watch lines still reflect this with some exceptions such as the Rolex Cellini line, which is indeed a dress watch.

Fleming's Bond wore a Rolex for the practical reasons of it being a "tool" watch. My Rolex Sub Date is stainless steel and not "covered with too much sparkle". There's no sparkle on it at all. In fact what I find in most of my travels, that all involve much field work in remote locations, is that wearers of Rolex or Omega are generally the same type of worker. We can be found wearing jeans, work boots, and some type of work shirt, even though we may be sitting in the business class lounges of any given international airport.

All is not what may be perceived for those that wear premium mechanical watches. There are particular and practical reasons why we buy these watches. I'll let one of the horologists here explain this furrther.

Cheers,

M8

[Dr. Noah]

JLaidlaw,

Actually neither Rolex or Omega should be worn with formal dress, IMO. They are both excellent watches, but are "tool" watches, not "dress" watches. Their dominant watch lines still reflect this with some exceptions such as the Rolex Cellini line, which is indeed a dress watch.

Fleming's Bond wore a Rolex for the practical reasons of it being a "tool" watch. My Rolex Sub Date is stainless steel and not "covered with too much sparkle". There's no sparkle on it at all. In fact what I find in most of my travels, that all involve much field work in remote locations, is that wearers of Rolex or Omega are generally the same type of worker. We can be found wearing jeans, work boots, and some type of work shirt, even though we may be sitting in the business class lounges of any given international airport.

All is not what may be perceived for those that wear premium mechanical watches. There are particular and practical reasons why we buy these watches. I'll let one of the horologists here explain this furrther.

Cheers,

M8

That fits with Bond, though. A great-looking utility watch under a suit -- I mean, he wears a gun under the suit, too, and you don't see that at a lot of dinner parties. That's the character -- especially with Craig's Bond. He's not wearing a really nice suit until Vesper gives him one. He just has a nice dinner jacket.

[Four Aces]

That fits with Bond, though. A great-looking utility watch under a suit -- I mean, he wears a gun under the suit, too, and you don't see that at a lot of dinner parties. That's the character -- especially with Craig's Bond. He's not wearing a really nice suit until Vesper gives him one. He just has a nice dinner jacket.

Well said.

As Dell Deaton mentioned once before, the great thing about a Rolex (or Omega) is that in can go from casino to combat in an instant.

[darkpath]

I suppose I must concede that I am neither a Brad nor a James.

My watches (in no particular order):

• a "binary" novelty watch my sister-in-law bought my for my birthday
• Oceanus (atomic/solar) with titanium case & bracelet <- my usual watch on most days
• Invicta automatic Pro Divers' model in Stainless <-definitely the toughest watch I have
• Victorinox with rotating bezel I bought for its retro-design (looks like something I'd see on Indiana Jones or somesuch)
• Victorinox that had been bought for wedding party members by my brother-in-law; but which he neglected to give out, so my sister gave it to me
• replica Rolex Submariner I bought simply because I liked the understated look of it

Edited by darkpath, 15 April 2007 - 03:25 AM.

[Four Aces]

I suppose I must concede that I am neither a Brad nor a James.

My watches (in no particular order):

• a "binary" novelty watch my sister-in-law bought my for my birthday
• Oceanus (atomic/solar) with titanium case & bracelet <- my usual watch on most days
• Invicta automatic Pro Divers' model in Stainless <-definitely the toughest watch I have
• Victorinox with rotating bezel I bought for its retro-design (looks like something I'd see on Indiana Jones or somesuch)
• Victorinox that had been bought for wedding party members by my brother-in-law; but which he neglected to give out, so my sister gave it to me
• replica Rolex Submariner I bought simply because I liked the understated look of it

Those Oceanus watches are pretty damned cool!

[Vodka Martino]

That fits with Bond, though. A great-looking utility watch under a suit -- I mean, he wears a gun under the suit, too, and you don't see that at a lot of dinner parties. That's the character -- especially with Craig's Bond. He's not wearing a really nice suit until Vesper gives him one. He just has a nice dinner jacket.

Well said.

As Dell Deaton mentioned once before, the great thing about a Rolex (or Omega) is that in can go from casino to combat in an instant.

4A, I can recall when I was a little boy that most men of my father's generation only possessed one watch...and they would wear them for all occasions. From church on Sundays to weekend BBQs to hammering a nail into a fence to washing the car to going to work, etc. It is only since I started selling watches 7 years ago that I began to notice just how many watches some guys own. I met one customer who told that he owned 55 watches. Was he nuts!!?? I'm sure that 40 of them probably spend more time in the drawer/safe/cereal box than they do on his wrist and that is an obscene amount of money to have tied up in wristwatches. To each their own, I suppose. I can't really talk, however, since I have about nine watches myself...which would probably explain why I drive a '93 Toyota.
Regarding a tuxedo-clad Bond wearing a dive or 'tool' watch, I have no problem with that.Certainly, part of the Rolex Submariner's reputation or mystique is the fact that it was the watch of choice for many men working on oil platforms or pipelines back in the 1960s and also adorned the wrists of a large number of US Naval personnel back then. I remember seeing an old Rolex ad on the net which showed a close-up of some navy guy's arm draped over the handle of a submarine periscope. On his wrist was a non-date Submariner. The ad read something like; "If you shipped out on the Shark, the Skate or the (I can't recall the third name), you'd recognise this face."
So I think it pefectly acceptable to wear a dive watch with a suit. It has a certain 'don't-mess-with-me' vibe about it.
And besides, wearing a snorkel with a tuxedo would look slightly ridiculous...unless you're getting married underwater.

VM

[Four Aces]

...most men of my father's generation only possessed one watch...and they would wear them for all occasions...

VM, very nice post. Yes, our fathers' generation did for the most part only have one watch.

...since I have about nine watches myself...which would probably explain why I drive a '93 Toyota...

I got ya beat there buddy. I drive a '91 Honda Civic!

Regarding a tuxedo-clad Bond wearing a dive or 'tool' watch,...,part of the Rolex Submariner's reputation or mystique is the fact that it was the watch of choice for many men working on oil platforms or pipelines back in the 1960s...

You are correct. I am in the oil & gas business. The watch is still worn by many of us. I see them all the time.

Okay, you have convinced me about NOT needing a dress watch for the tux and the suits. I was thinking about buying a Cellini from you. Now yout get no commission, and I can now go out and by a new '07 Honda Civic instead, though I have been thinking about the '07 Toyota Corolla.

Hey, where's Dell these days?

Cheers,

4A

[Kiss Kiss Bang Bang]

...since I have about nine watches myself...which would probably explain why I drive a '93 Toyota...

I got ya beat there buddy. I drive a '91 Honda Civic!

Well, I got you beaten both of you. I used to ride my FSO Polonez '89
If you don't know what that is try here:
http://en.wikipedia....iki/FSO_Polonez

[Icephoenix]

Hey guys, just bought myself a new watch from a brand called "Loyal" - suffice to say I've never heard of them before. Saw it in a jewelers display in Brisbane for $115 and went in to purchase it, turns out it was mislabeled and was in fact $300. But due to the error got it for the discounted price.

To the point, the watch itself is called a "Loyal Adventurer" and has a black face & bezel with a date box. I took some photo's with my phone camera but the damn cord to upload them has gone missing. But to my untrained eye the closest I could say it looks similar too is an old Seamaster 300.

Just wondering if any of you fella's had heard of the Loyal brand or even of the watch itself?

[Vodka Martino]

Okay, you have convinced me about NOT needing a dress watch for the tux and the suits. I was thinking about buying a Cellini from you. Now yout get no commission, and I can now go out and by a new '07 Honda Civic instead, though I have been thinking about the '07 Toyota Corolla.

Hey, where's Dell these days?

Cheers,

4A

Commission? What commission? I do it all for love. My company recently introduced an incentive scheme ('scheme' being the right word) whereby, if I make the allocated budget for the week, I am then rewarded with a cash payment at the end of the month. However, they have, in recent months, come up with a myriad number of ways to withhold payment. But enough about me and my job. Don't buy the car 4A, get the watch instead. It'll depreciate at a slower rate.

Hey guys, just bought myself a new watch from a brand called "Loyal" - suffice to say I've never heard of them before. Saw it in a jewelers display in Brisbane for $115 and went in to purchase it, turns out it was mislabeled and was in fact $300. But due to the error got it for the discounted price.

To the point, the watch itself is called a "Loyal Adventurer" and has a black face & bezel with a date box. I took some photo's with my phone camera but the damn cord to upload them has gone missing. But to my untrained eye the closest I could say it looks similar too is an old Seamaster 300.

Just wondering if any of you fella's had heard of the Loyal brand or even of the watch itself?

Icephoenix, I've not heard of the brand, but if it looks like a '60s Seamaster 300, then I would buy one in a heartbeat. And it sounds like the price was an absolute bargain. Well done.

Vodka M

Edited by Vodka Martino, 16 April 2007 - 11:57 AM.

[RazorBlade]

I thought about buying the Seamaster but my TAG-Hauer has stood by me through thick and thin for well over a decade.

Ayrton Senna's watch. RIP.

I adore Michael Schmacher, though I understand why some don't, but God bless Ayrton Senna. What a champion. I guess there's a debate right there. Both are so good at what they did, I won't know which to pick or how to defend it.

I'm a TAG-Hauer man as well. But Omega was first watch on the Moon. hmmmm

Edited by RazorBlade, 17 April 2007 - 07:45 AM.

[The REAL Miss Money penny]

I too am a HUGE Michael Schumacher fan, the greatest formula one driver ever perhaps with Ayrton Senna coming so so close. I can't afford a fancy watch so don't wear one, and as a consequence I ususally have a good idea of the time without having to ask or check my mobile etc.. for example its 10.04 now approximately.

[Four Aces]

Yes, but TAG Heuer is not a real watch company anymore. It hasn't been for a long time.

[Vodka Martino]

That may be true to an extent, 4A, but you have to give them credit for trying new things, such as the Monaco V4 Concept watch, which uses a revolutionary winding system unlike anything ever done before. I'm sure that because TAG Heuer are aligned with Zenith these days, it is probably the Zenith R&D Departments that are giving TAG a helping hand, but it's still a bold move on TAG Heuer's part to try something different.
Besides, my store sells an obscene amount of TAGs per month because there are still many people out there who aren't concerned with 'the watchmaker's art', but who want a dependable, accurate, well-made watch. I can't fault them. It's better than the customer who walks in and proclaims that he doesn't need a watch because he has a mobile phone with a digital time display on it. Some guys just don't get it.

VM

[Four Aces]

That may be true to an extent, 4A, but you have to give them credit for trying new things, such as the Monaco V4 Concept watch, which uses a revolutionary winding system unlike anything ever done before. I'm sure that because TAG Heuer are aligned with Zenith these days, it is probably the Zenith R&D Departments that are giving TAG a helping hand, but it's still a bold move on TAG Heuer's part to try something different.
Besides, my store sells an obscene amount of TAGs per month because there are still many people out there who aren't concerned with 'the watchmaker's art', but who want a dependable, accurate, well-made watch. I can't fault them. It's better than the customer who walks in and proclaims that he doesn't need a watch because he has a mobile phone with a digital time display on it. Some guys just don't get it.

VM

Haha! Funny with the mobile phone guys

Yeah, I just don't like to see formerly very good companies get eaten up by market concepts Louis Vuitton. The watch is good, but TAG Heuer has become a lifestyle concept now under LV. But your correct, it is still a good watch.

Speaking of, I sure would like to get that Monaco vintage TAG that Steve McQueen wore in LeMans. I wonder how many of those are still out there.

[DaveBond21]

I am amazed Omega thought this was a good deal for them.

I agree. And Rolex were probably thinking, "Hey, we got a free mention, and it wasn't even that disparaging!"

[darkpath]

I am by no means an expert; but I think there may be something awry with my Invicta Pro Diver (it's shaped like a somewhat thicker version of the Rolex Submariner; but the color is more like one of the Bond Omega models). It seems to run almost a minute fast per day. I'd like to know if this is atypical for an automatic watch. My frame of reference is limited to electronic watches, and I concede that my Oceanus spoils me in that regard.

[Four Aces]

I am by no means an expert; but I think there may be something awry with my Invicta Pro Diver (it's shaped like a somewhat thicker version of the Rolex Submariner; but the color is more like one of the Bond Omega models). It seems to run almost a minute fast per day. I'd like to know if this is atypical for an automatic watch. My frame of reference is limited to electronic watches, and I concede that my Oceanus spoils me in that regard.

Something is wrong. Get it looked at.

4A

[Vodka Martino]

Haha! Funny with the mobile phone guys

Yeah, I just don't like to see formerly very good companies get eaten up by market concepts Louis Vuitton. The watch is good, but TAG Heuer has become a lifestyle concept now under LV. But your correct, it is still a good watch.

Speaking of, I sure would like to get that Monaco vintage TAG that Steve McQueen wore in LeMans. I wonder how many of those are still out there.

They turn up from time to time, 4A. However, they cost as much as a new, current Monaco.

I am by no means an expert; but I think there may be something awry with my Invicta Pro Diver (it's shaped like a somewhat thicker version of the Rolex Submariner; but the color is more like one of the Bond Omega models). It seems to run almost a minute fast per day. I'd like to know if this is atypical for an automatic watch. My frame of reference is limited to electronic watches, and I concede that my Oceanus spoils me in that regard.

It may just need to be regulated or it might require a full service. A minute fast per day is too fast. I have heard from various other Invicta owners that the watches can be a little patchy when it comes to timekeeping, but it's a problem that is easily fixed by a competent watch-maker.

Vodka Martino

[darkpath]

Thanks to both of you gents. I'll get the watch looked at it. It's aesthetically a very nice piece and if it can be made to tell decent time, then I'll be very happy with it.

Cheers!
Darkpath