zOwie Omega Discussion Forum

Hi Matthew and friends.

Bought a new black/black Seamaster Pro Auto a month ago...

: "First of all Rolex watches are better
: finished,

This is actually _not_ true in my own experience; my SMP has a better [more crafted] finish than either my Father's or my pal Mike's stainless steel black Subs.

: "With in terms of quality I mean the dial
: e.g.. It was pointed out that Omeaga dials
: really suck because of bad luminova
: manufacturing. I think this is righter than
: it can be right, unless one is indeed blind.
: Omega really sucks here.

This is _definitely_ not true with regards to my own SMP; under the loupe the markers are spot-on, they are overlaid onto a fractionally larger white marker, [which effectively "borders" the luminova, ok, low-rent!] there is no bleed or bump and the edges are completely straight.
Also this SMP has killer legibility under any lighting- I was really surprised how good this is.

: Also I have issue with the
: "Dipped" Second hand in regards to
: the Red paint, I would much rather see
: something that is applied, but then again
: that is just my personal preference.

I think that red tip looks cool :-P

: I guess you could refer to the Rolex dial as
: "boring" but then again you could
: say that about virtually any other watch
: with a plain dial, eg. IWC, JLC, PP and even
: some Omega Models have plain gloss dials.

: However Personally I do not like the wave
: pattern, and would like to see a SMP with a
: plain dial. But that is just me.

The "wave" dial may look OTT under halogen in a shop, but it does "grow" on you; after a month one barely notices it- but sees a nice texture to the watch face [on my black model at least]... all subjective, of course.

: "I don't want to talk about braclet
: quality, as
: I believe it is a given, also admited by the
: magazine, that Rolex's braclet is just not
: good enough for the price charged. It is
: fine, but for that money they should also
: score hear much better. Always bring things
: into perspective. Point."

: When and if Omega finally switches to something
: better than Friction pins in their design,
: then I will appreciate them more, however I
: just cannot like a bracelet that relies on
: Friction pins..to me it is just poor
: engineering and a way to cut corners.

Friction pins may seem like poor engineering, but IMHO the Speedmaster-style bracelet on my SMP looks and feels _way_ better than the standard Sub bracelet, which feels really cheap and flimsy.

: "Now, the comparison test in the magazine
: also
: failed in one regard, and now we are getting
: to the real big point, THE PRICE.

Ahh yes, the price.
The SMP is my first proper grown-up watch, I think I have acquired a taste for them...I quite fancy adding a Sea Dweller to start a collection [can't stand the cyclops lens on the Sub], but the prices of Rolexes here in the UK are just...silly.

: 1. Non Boardered Markers
: 2. Wave Pattern on Dial (not appealing to me)
: 3. Dipped Seconds hand (Should have been
: brushed)
: 4. He Valve (To me Un-necessary and awkward,

: would have much rather seen one which was auto

: like on breit or Rolex)

The Helium valve is fine, just a conversation piece.

: 5. Friction Pin Bracelet
: 6. No fine adjustments on clasp, only half
: links

No idea about this, the [authorised Omega] dealer took a half-link out for me before I walked out of the shop, fits perfectly.

: 7. ETA movement

No idea about this either; out-of-the-box my watch just gains half a second a day if worn 24/7, I haven't got round to testing overnight orientations yet.
If it lasts as long as my Father's first proper watch, [Omega Speedmaster, bought by him in Germany in 1969, still accurate to about 15 secs per day, he can't even remember when he last had it serviced- should just send it over the border to the factory- he lives in Luxemburg] I won't be particularly surprised.

: 8. US Service centers reportedly suck, this was
: a

: biggie for me.

Again no idea, I expect service centres in the UK to be fine [grin].

: 9. Crown not very substantial when compaired to

: others (Has a tendancy to wobble when

: unscrewed)

Mine doesn't.

: 10. Clasp reportedly opens when wrist is moved
: in

: a certain manner

If you have the bracelet way too tight??

: So I guess it all comes down to what you are
: looking for in a watch...

Yes, I would _love_ a Sea Dweller to complement my Seamaster, but I am in no way anything less than delighted with my first high-end watch...I very nearly bought a new black-face Tag Heuer Monaco.
Lucky escape...

Cheers.