zOwie Omega Discussion Forum

: And now for heresy... The diver's extension
: clasp. I used to think the SMP's clasp was
: the greatest thing since slice bread until I
: actually tried it over a wetsuit. It popped
: off a couple of times, no matter how tried.
: Sometimes when there is too much pressure on
: the clasp, the bracelet will come undone.
: This is a fact.

I tried mine today and before demaging the watch I stopped. Since I wear my watch relatively loose in the winter, due to my thick arm wrists shrinking in the cold, I admit to have even a little more play on my clasp (but still it didn't help to pop the clasp). It it was impossible for me to get it to pop. If too tight it might be impossible to close it, but otherwise I cannot confirm your experience.

: Try wearing it over a jacket and do muscle
: flexing, it will come off.

I tried, I used to bench 3x12 180lbs, so I got strong arms, no chance, the SM did hold, a 150th Ti SM that is.

The SMP's rugged
: good looking clasp is really decieving.

Have you really examined all possible reasons for your experienced failure ?....

: The Sea Dweller has two advantages here: 1.
: There are additional pinslots on the clasp
: for additional adjustment of 3 mm
: increments. With the Omega, you have to
: remove links to size the watch.

Agreed, sizing can be a pain. Especially I could use easy sizing for my different wrist sizes in winter and summer.

But the Omega clasp and band look more harmonic and have a better feel to them once you touch the clasp with two fingers. It's just a very nice feeling to have a solid clasp.

On the other hand the clasp wouldn't drive "my" buying decision.

I would make a different check list. Although I am not a diver, just "schnorchling" in the red sea with my SM up to 3 to 5 meters so far.

1) precision in real life

- I would hardly imagine that any of the 2 watches have a clear performance benefit "in real life". Maybe after 10 years, but by that time either one should have been to service at least once anyway.

2) readability of dial for diving

- I have the new design with sword hands. I have only seen submariners. I'd say the SM wins by a hair in "light output", especially on the hands.

3) diving bezel

- I see no difference between both, this is a pure taste thing, otherwise explain to me technically a real benefit of either one. I like the SM hard clicks alot.

4) bracelet

- I say a tie also. The SM is better in terms of heavy and solid looks/feel and the SD or Sub have an easy sizeable clasp.

5) price

- 2 Seamasters for the price of one Seadweller (in Germany) speak "books". Go figure......

All other points, like resell value and points for being a classic do not count in this real world diving evaluation. Otherwise one wouldn't have to raise this question, if striving for the above. Rolex is of course better than almost all watches in that price region.

So what to do ?

- as always compare, look for points you really find more important in a diver watch. Maybe you do not need the escape valve at all and favor a GMT or SUb for "real life".

- maybe go for the SM chronograph, that's what I would have bought today. I wish a black SM chronograph in SS would be out ;-).

Andreas