2221.80 is winning me over

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Hello! I’m new to the forum, and a first-time poster so apologies for the length. The context for this post is that I started really getting into watches last year and decided several months ago I wanted The Bond Watch, which for me is a Seamaster Diver because I was a kid when Goldeneye came out and nobody was (or ever will be) cooler than Pierce Brosnan’s Bond.

When I realized Omega was attainable, my first instinct was to get the newest version from an OB. Expensive! But, to me, worth the experience for a special purchase, and the peace of mind of their warranty. I dug all the features—ceramic bezel, see through case back, 8800 co-axial movement etc.

But as I researched the different models, the 210.3 became less desirable for mostly aesthetic reasons—the date window at the 6 instead of the 3, I prefer the wave pattern on the older models, the bezel from the Bond watches, and so forth.

I started considering buying used and focusing on the 2220.8, because I love the dial and also Casino Royale, and 2531.8 because it’s the mechanical used in the other Brosnan movies. I wasn’t considering the quartz versions because I was biased: I’ve only dealt with (relatively) cheap novelty quartz watches that quickly break or Seikos my parents left in a drawer for years and couldn’t be salvaged with new batteries. Obviously my anti-quartz bias is ironic because the reason I’m here is because of the 2541 in Goldeneye.

Which all brings me to really warming up to the 2221.8 recently. it has a similar style dial to the 2220.8 and seems like an evolution from the 2541. The lighter weight and ability to just throw it on whenever and go is also appealing, as is the price. I’m still learning and open to all models, including the 2220.8 and working out if getting a 2500C caliber is so much worse than a 2500D.

With all that said, I’m curious to hear what having a 2221.80 is like. Is it reliable? Is it durable? If I take care of it, and get the battery replaced, will it run for at least a decade or two? Is there more to a service than a battery change? Would Omega replace the battery or service the watch even if I got it second hand? Any issues with owning one?

My goal with whatever version I get is to have something that can withstand near daily use and will be fun for me to use and look at.

Really curious to hear people’s’ experiences with the watch and appreciate all the info available on the forum. Appreciate any advice, too. Thanks!
 
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It’s a fantastic watch and the perfect size for a diver. Nice and thin too.

Battery life will be about 3 to 4 years. Aside from that, the main concern will be occasionally getting it tested for water resistance, especially if you plan to swim or dive with it. The water-sealing gaskets do break down over time. But that’s about it, I think.

All of that said, while quartz is convenient and accurate, it’s also not what most people want in a luxury watch, and you may find it unsatisfying—like not having a “real” “grownup” Omega with a mechanical movement. (Not saying I believe this, but it’s definitely a thing.) If that happens and you decide to upgrade, you may find the quartz one ends up being difficult to sell at a price that doesn’t hurt. (This comes down to what you yourself pay for it, I suppose.)

Only buy from a reputable seller. And I personally wouldn’t pay more than $2,000 USD. But take that advice with a grain of salt.
 
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appreciate this thank you!
It’s a fantastic watch and the perfect size for a diver. Nice and thin too.

Battery life will be about 3 to 4 years. Aside from that, the main concern will be occasionally getting it tested for water resistance, especially if you plan to swim or dive with it. The water-sealing gaskets do break down over time. But that’s about it, I think.

All of that said, while quartz is convenient and accurate, it’s also not what most people want in a luxury watch, and you may find it unsatisfying—like not having a “real” “grownup” Omega with a mechanical movement. (Not saying I believe this, but it’s definitely a thing.) If that happens and you decide to upgrade, you may find the quartz one ends up being difficult to sell at a price that doesn’t hurt. (This comes down to what you yourself pay for it, I suppose.)

Only buy from a reputable seller. And I personally wouldn’t pay more than $2,000 USD. But take that advice with a grain of salt.
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It’s a fantastic watch and the perfect size for a diver. Nice and thin too.

Battery life will be about 3 to 4 years. Aside from that, the main concern will be occasionally getting it tested for water resistance, especially if you plan to swim or dive with it. The water-sealing gaskets do break down over time. But that’s about it, I think.

All of that said, while quartz is convenient and accurate, it’s also not what most people want in a luxury watch, and you may find it unsatisfying—like not having a “real” “grownup” Omega with a mechanical movement. (Not saying I believe this, but it’s definitely a thing.) If that happens and you decide to upgrade, you may find the quartz one ends up being difficult to sell at a price that doesn’t hurt. (This comes down to what you yourself pay for it, I suppose.)

Only buy from a reputable seller. And I personally wouldn’t pay more than $2,000 USD. But take that advice with a grain of salt.
 
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Indeed Pierce Brosnan in GoldenEye is the coolest. I’m also drawn to these watches because of the GoldenEye film. Sorry, I don’t have any answers to the quartz questions. My choice would be the 2531.80.
 
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I have 2 2541. One sold in 1994. The other 1995. They are running very fine and the oldest just get service. Yes you can serviced them by Omega dealer. The older ones will have their tritium hands changed for luminova.

30 years for a quartz. You can have bad luck but quartz are somehow more reliable in time...

I prefer 2541, "true Bond". But 2221 si Casino quartz. Way cheaper than 2220.

Considering war quartz/mechanical, it's not the point in that case. GoldenEye was a quartz. So ? Do we destroy them all on mechanical altar ? 😀
 
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30 years for a quartz. You can have bad luck but quartz are somehow more reliable in time...

Considering war quartz/mechanical, it's not the point in that case. GoldenEye was a quartz. So ? Do we destroy them all on mechanical altar ? 😀

Not sure if you're suggesting otherwise, but to be clear: yes, a quartz movement typically lasts 20 to 30 years (and sometimes a good deal longer), but once it's done, it's done---there's little chance of restoring it. You might be able to find a newer compatible (or even identical) movement to swap in, but it might not be easy or cheap to do. A mechanical watch, on the other hand, should be serviceable indefinitely---it will outlive you as long as you keep it in good repair. I'm not one to be dismissive of quartz---it's an important part of horological history, and I have quartz pieces in my own collection. But if what you're after is a watch that will last you a lifetime and become a family heirloom, quartz is not the smartest way to go. At a certain point, that watch is likely to become salvage---something you'd sell for parts.

The mechanical/quartz war is over: who's still arguing about that? Each has a place. But you won't find many luxury watch aficionados (even with a mass-produced brand like Omega) favoring quartz these days. Mechanical watch movements are less accurate and more expensive to buy and service; they're technological anachronisms, and a total waste of good money. But they're also deeply impressive objects, often beautiful to look at, and they have other, harder to explain, historic and romantic appeals. Quartz... not so much. (With some notable exceptions, like Grand Seiko.)

For a first and only luxury watch, I'd go with a good mechanical. The quartz feels like something the OP will outgrow and regret fairly quickly if this hobby becomes serious. Just my opinion, obviously.
Edited:
 
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My wife and I have ‘matching’ SMPs - I got my 2220.80 back in 2012 and bought her the 2221.80 in 2022.

I would say that the 2221 has just a tad more wearability due to its weight and thinness compare to my 2220. That and the convenience of “grab and go” with the quartz is pretty nice.

That said, it’ll come down to which design you like more and feel like you’d like for longer. As others have said, don’t overspend on the quartz - wait for a good deal from a reputable buyer before pulling the trigger!

 
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Randomly arrived here on Google - I have a 2221.80. Re the movement and how long it'll last? Well - I had mine serviced at Omega a few years after buying it secondhand. Here in Aus it was a $700 for service at Omega (cheaper than auto service - but still a cost to consider).

BUT... not only did they test it, pressure test it, clean and polish it, replace the battery, hands, bezel insert and both crowns (all old parts were also handed back to me) - they also swapped out the quartz movement for a new one! It's just part of the service. Not cost effective to tinker or fix - so they just swap in a new module.
Would I prefer an automatic? I have automatics already and for this watch I just wanted the Bond as-seen-on-screen-ness. If quartz was good enough for Bosnan Bond (and Prince Harry!) it's good enough for me. The extra kicker with the 2221.80 is that it has the updated dial of Casino Royale. The dial is essentially the same - but has applied hour markers rather than printed, which looks more fancy 😉
 
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@goudaville Did you ever get the 2221.80?

In the last few months I've made the conversion back to quartz after nearly 10 years of hard core collecting of mechanical watches. I simply prefer the no-nonsense nature of quartz. They are accurate and don't run out of power for 3-4 years when a battery change is due. Since I was swapping watches frequently I constantly needed to wind and/or set the time/date on my mechanical watches. With my quartz watches they are always ready to go with the correct time and date--even if I let them sit for weeks or months.

I bought a 2541.80 GoldenEye several years ago and just had it serviced by an Omega Service Center. I bought a new dial and bezel and they replaced the gaskets, crowns, and hands as part of the service. And, as they do with any service, they reconditioned the case to like new condition. They also, apparently, replaced the electronic module so the watch is running +1.5 seconds a month. I basically have a new watch. I am absolutely loving this watch and am rotating it with a 38.5mm silver/white dial Aqua Terra.

If you like automatic watches, that's great, knock yourself out. But I'm on Team Quartz because it's simply a better way to keep time and still have a beautiful and well made timepiece on your wrist.
 
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they also swapped out the quartz movement for a new one! It's just part of the service. Not cost effective to tinker or fix - so they just swap in a new module.
Did they return any of the quartz movement parts to you? Did they tell you they swapped the movement? I'm curious because I recently had my 2541.80 GoldenEye serviced by Omega and I'm pretty certain they replaced the electronic module, but they did not return any movement parts (just hands, crowns, and gaskets).