Sometimes those things you really want are meant to find you. Today (ok, yesterday) I spied this well preserved example of a ref. 2698 on the big auction site.

The reference number was wrong, the serial number listed on one of the auction sales page fields was wrong (the seller had used the feature that lets you sell something similar) the box was wrong and it came without original paperwork, original strap or even it's original 16 mm deployment clasp.

Why did I buy it? It was the first watch that made me unable to breathe when I first looked at Omega as my watch of choice in the late 90s. A couple years later I purchased my first "Bond" and always thought, "one day".

I would not have bought it based on the information listed on the auction but as it turned out the individual has family in the city or I work and he was coming to visit them today. He brought the watch by for me to take a look. despite the things to watch did not have it had all of those things it had the first time I slaid eyes on it.

Today was a good day.

 

Pics when she lands!

 

I thought I had. The seller delivered it. Nice.

 

Cheers my friend its a small world I had my eye on that watch when it was up for sale on ebay, turns out the seller lost the original gold bracelet I had crossed reference the serial number with Omega, the watch was in fact a 2198.80 with the solid gold on gold bracelet, but I had the same idea as you , to make it a true 2698.80 you would need the actual blue croc bracelet 20/16mm and 18k clasp 16mm that originally came with the 2698.80, turns out less were sold as the 2698.80 than the 2198.80, its a stunning watch and was wondering which bracelet you ended up using with which clasp ? I could never find even a picture of the 2698.80 besides this one. cheers and let us know!

 

Here are pictures from the actual listing when it had came out:

 

Very nice...How does one lose a solid gold bracelet?!?

 

Cool find these must be quitte scare! @boraxman I imagine one can loos a solid gold bracelet to the melting pot!

 

Yes or actually keep the bracelet claim it was lost and resale the watch on a strap at the same price you bought the full watch for at a discount. the seller only mentioned the bracelet loss after I crossed reference checked with omega with the serial that it was in fact a 2198.80 and not an 2698.80...

2198.80