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Difference between PO 168.1651 and 2201.50?

BrandonTXNI
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Hello,

I am in the market for an early to mid 2000's Planet Ocean. I have been drawn to the 2201.50 and the 168.551 and have seen both for sale at a reasonable price.

My question for you goods folks is they look identica, so what am I missing? Both are 42mm.

I assume it's something to do with a change in movement or something more innocuous.

Anyone have any ideas?

Thank you,
-B

2201 50.webp 168 1651.webp
 
502 to right
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Welcome to Omega Forums!

I'm pretty certain 168.1651 is a case number. I know 2201.50 is a model number. They are not the same thing. The case number is engraved/stamped on the caseback. I did a quick google search and I think the companies listing a watch as model 168.1651 are mistaken and they've taken the number from the caseback thinking it's the model number.

What you're looking for is the Planet Ocean 2201.50. I would disregard anyone advertising a Planet Ocean 168.1651. Case numbers are really only used when checking for the correct parts for a particular watch. I think Omega does this because different model numbers can share the same case. For example, the 2531.80 Seamaster Professional 300m uses the same case as the 2254.50 "Peter Blake" Seamaster Professional 300m. The case parts are interchangeable. Also, sometimes Omega will make small modifications to watch parts that do not change the the model number. For example, early versions of the 2531.80 Seamaster have a helium escape valve that cannot be removed with a screw and later versions have a helium escape valve that can be removed with a screw. A watchmaker would need to know which one he's working on to replace the valve/crown and the case number would give him that information.

BTW - you have a typo in your post for 168.1651. It's correct in the title.

​

Edited:
 
BrandonTXNI
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This is really helpful. Thank you for this, it’s greatly appreciated. This is along the lines of what I was thinking, but was driving myself crazy making sense of it.
 
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Also, I'm assuming it's the 42mm version you're looking for. As I'm sure you know, there was a 45.5mm version of the Planet Ocean in the same colorway and in photos it looks nearly identical to the 42mm version (other than the size, which is impossible to tell when the watch is photographed in isolation). The 42mm is model 2201.50 and the 45.5mm is model 2200.50.

For me, the "tell" in photos between a 42mm PO and the 45.5mm PO is that the 45.5 has a date that is further away from the edge of the dial (i.e., closer to the dial center). If you compare photos side by side you will see the difference. Unsophisticated sellers could confuse the two models.
 
BrandonTXNI
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502 to right 502 to right
Also, I'm assuming it's the 42mm version you're looking for. As I'm sure you know, there was a 45.5mm version of the Planet Ocean in the same colorway and in photos it looks nearly identical to the 42mm version (other than the size, which is impossible to tell when the watch is photographed in isolation). The 42mm is model 2201.50 and the 45.5mm is model 2200.50.

For me, the "tell" in photos between a 42mm PO and the 45.5mm PO is that the 45.5 has a date that is further away from the edge of the dial (i.e., closer to the dial center). If you compare photos side by side you will see the difference. Unsophisticated sellers could confuse the two models.
 
BrandonTXNI
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I’m definitely after the 42mm, but I have come across several larger sizes that had me fooled until further inspection.

Thanks for the advice and guidance. This has been really helpful. I am hoping to procure the 2201.50 in the coming days.

Again, thank you.
 
savio.79
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502 to right 502 to right
Also, I'm assuming it's the 42mm version you're looking for. As I'm sure you know, there was a 45.5mm version of the Planet Ocean in the same colorway and in photos it looks nearly identical to the 42mm version (other than the size, which is impossible to tell when the watch is photographed in isolation). The 42mm is model 2201.50 and the 45.5mm is model 2200.50.

For me, the "tell" in photos between a 42mm PO and the 45.5mm PO is that the 45.5 has a date that is further away from the edge of the dial (i.e., closer to the dial center). If you compare photos side by side you will see the difference. Unsophisticated sellers could confuse the two models.
Also, the "gear teeth" in the bezel are very different, with the 42mm being more squared off, and the 45mm being rounder and more pointed.
 
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