As a follow up this one on ebay in the UK just sold for 2051GBP which is about $2419 USD. Incredibly deal for whoever got that.
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/OMEGA-D...83.l44720.c10&nordt=true&rt=nc&orig_cvip=true
I was following that one but couldn’t justify going after it as I have the 2531.80 reference
But curse you for making me want to trade this in for the blue ceramic version. I watched the review video several years ago and this article bringing it up again, the depth of the dial, and the logo floating on still water did it for me. Now I want it haha
See in fairness you have one of the nicest examples of a 2531.80 I’ve seen in a while. I might even borrow that image and add it to the article if that’s ok. The big issue buying is that the vast, vast majority of 2531.80s and 2220.80s have either a damaged bezel insert with at least one scratch or some fading, or a fake one.
While I was digging I noticed this interesting disparity with how every used Seamaster Pro on the open market from a private seller has a marked up / faded / scratched bezel, which as we know is costly to replace. But then there are many dealers that sell exclusively perfect bezel Seamasters at prices that don’t reflect the ~$500 cost of replacement from Omega.
The reason I believe is this:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/170680952769
they’re doing a roaring trade with thousands sold, just this one listing has this many sold.
So I feel it’s safe to assume that the ones that do have perfect bezels on the secondary market are likely to be fake and potentially have issues / fall out etc over time.
That is what pushes me to really say it’s best to give those a miss for the ceramic if you get the option.
Safe queen examples like yours would be the exception of course.
Yeah, of course you can use the image if you’d like. I actually purchased this from another member who had it serviced by Omega prior to the sale, which is why it looks clean. Give it plenty of time and I know the bezel will fade and look worn. I’m both on the Spectrum and have ADD, and for me, the HE valve and rotating the bezel bring comfort (tactile feel of the sturdy click) and help keep me focused. So, I know in time they will fade. Despite that, this is a daily wear for me outside of the occasional rotation. Usually I wear it on an aftermarket rubber strap but just recently changed it back to the bracelet to mix it up a bit.
I was following that one but couldn’t justify going after it as I have the 2531.80 reference
But curse you for making me want to trade this in for the blue ceramic version. I watched the review video several years ago and this article bringing it up again, the depth of the dial, and the logo floating on still water did it for me. Now I want it haha
Added this photo btw thanks again
You can still get a 1997-1999 Speedmaster for that amount 😗
The Speedmaster is a great watch but it has a much narrower appeal and skill set in general is the thing. Sometimes as Speedmaster fans we can be blind to that.
As a second watch I think the Speedy compliments the SMP very well and that’s more what I would do as they make an excellent two-watch pair.
Your comment resonated particularly well with me - after building a collection of vintage Constellations, Seamasters and some other classic types over many years, I decided three years ago I needed a really nice example of a new Omega. The SMP ceramic rang my bells for all sorts of reasons.
A few months later I added a new Speedmaster with the 1863 movement. The whole big box deal was appealing, especially as at that time the local Omega AD was offering fantastic discounts.
They are very different watches and I love them both - so I heartily endorse your suggestion on owning one of each!
Of course we are now drifting well away from the 'Best Omegas under $3000' topic but hell, I am 76 years old and should be allowed to drift at times.
I still derive daily pleasure from my vintage pieces, so it is not a matter of either/or. One of the great joys of our collecting is that we all keep finding new areas of interest - quite often prompted by the wide range of threads on OF.
I was following that one but couldn’t justify going after it as I have the 2531.80 reference
But curse you for making me want to trade this in for the blue ceramic version. I watched the review video several years ago and this article bringing it up again, the depth of the dial, and the logo floating on still water did it for me. Now I want it haha
