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Annapolis
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Celebrating a major life milestone, and finally moved on a watch I've been thinking about (at times almost obsessively) for seven years. (In fact, one of my earliest threads here at OF was about this very reference---it's never left my mind, but I just really struggled with the preowned prices.)

It's the 2012 London Olympics "1948 style" Seamaster.

IMG_5251.webp


I've always loved the time-only semi-casual dress watch look with small seconds, and the size and proportions of this one suit me perfectly. The hidden gold medallion on the back is a cool touch, and I like that the logo says 2012, as that's the year my son was born.

IMG_5252.webp


At the moment I've got it fitted to a cheap brown leather "alligator" strap, as I needed to get a measurement for the OEM pin buckle in order to find something more permanent. The black alligator it came on doesn't work for me---both stylistically, as I'm more drawn to browns, and physically, as the original buyer must have had larger wrists and requested the longer strap: I've got a nearly 7" wrist and even the smallest notch was too big.

Here's my Omega "collection," then---I think these compliment each other well. For someone who couldn't possibly care less about the Olympics, it's funny that both of my watches are Olympics commemoratives, but I just happen to love the way they look. (The diver is the 2016 Rio edition.)

IMG_5253.webp


Just thought I'd share! You don't see too many of these ones around.
 
Ron_W
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Lovely catch !!
Timeless design and modern movement 👍
 
Annapolis
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Another pic in natural light. The small seconds hand appears black most of the time but the blue polish occasionally pops.

IMG_5255.webp
 
noelekal
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Very nice indeed!

I could wish that style of watch was more generally popular in the this present age.
 
Annapolis
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Well, I won’t complain about it not being too popular if that’d mean a higher price point too. 😀 As it is, these 1948 models run a bit hotter than I think they should (in terms of preowned pricing), which is the main reason it took me so long to justify the purchase. I seriously considered just going with a 1950s jumbo, but every time I’ve owned a vintage piece I’ve ended up regretting it, as I can’t relax and just wear them—too worried about shocks and water resistance, among other things.

I know that to some the location of the small seconds dial isn’t acceptable—it should sit lower, bisecting the 6. But I’ve had watches with that layout and actually prefer this.

Just ordered a veblenist in brown alligator to complete it—should be able to use the OEM pin buckle with that.
 
ErichPryde
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Congratulations on the pickup! I've always admired this style of dress watch and I think Omega has done a fantastic job with the 1948 line.

I look forward to seeing more pictures of it, and please do us the service of sharing some shots on the Omega Seamaster thread when you have a chance!
 
Gubbo
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Annapolis Annapolis
Celebrating a major life milestone, and finally moved on a watch I've been thinking about (at times almost obsessively) for seven years. (In fact, one of my earliest threads here at OF was about this very reference---it's never left my mind, but I just really struggled with the preowned prices.)

It's the 2012 London Olympics "1948 style" Seamaster.

IMG_5251.webp


I've always loved the time-only semi-casual dress watch look with small seconds, and the size and proportions of this one suit me perfectly. The hidden gold medallion on the back is a cool touch, and I like that the logo says 2012, as that's the year my son was born.

IMG_5252.webp


At the moment I've got it fitted to a cheap brown leather "alligator" strap, as I needed to get a measurement for the OEM pin buckle in order to find something more permanent. The black alligator it came on doesn't work for me---both stylistically, as I'm more drawn to browns, and physically, as the original buyer must have had larger wrists and requested the longer strap: I've got a nearly 7" wrist and even the smallest notch was too big.

Here's my Omega "collection," then---I think these compliment each other well. For someone who couldn't possibly care less about the Olympics, it's funny that both of my watches are Olympics commemoratives, but I just happen to love the way they look. (The diver is the 2016 Rio edition.)

IMG_5253.webp


Just thought I'd share! You don't see too many of these ones around.
I love the Rio one. A friend was selling one a while ago and I was very tempted by it. He showed me after 3 beers which I think was cheating.

The small seconds isn't for me but it's a very nice looking watch.
 
Annapolis
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I put the Rio on an older Aqua Terra oyster bracelet and haven’t been seriously tempted by another sports watch since. Sometimes, if you want perfection, you have to make it happen yourself. 😀
 
ErichPryde
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I put the Rio on an older Aqua Terra oyster bracelet and haven’t been seriously tempted by another sports watch since. Sometimes, if you want perfection, you have to make it happen yourself. 😀

I'd like to see more pictures, honestly
 
Annapolis
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ErichPryde ErichPryde
I'd like to see more pictures, honestly

Oh, I couldn’t shut up about it once I cracked the code:

https://omegaforums.net/threads/aqua-terra-1574-898-bracelet-on-41mm-seamaster-diver-success.181758/ Cover Image
Thread 'Aqua Terra 1574/898 bracelet on 41mm Seamaster Diver (success!)' ·
My 1574/898 arrived today, after a prolonged shipping delay. I was eager to see if this really works---and it does, and I'm quite thrilled with the result, as I love my 41mm ceramic diver, but...
Annapolis ·
 
Gubbo
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Annapolis Annapolis
Oh, I couldn’t shut up about it once I cracked the code:

https://omegaforums.net/threads/aqua-terra-1574-898-bracelet-on-41mm-seamaster-diver-success.181758/ Cover Image
Thread 'Aqua Terra 1574/898 bracelet on 41mm Seamaster Diver (success!)' ·
My 1574/898 arrived today, after a prolonged shipping delay. I was eager to see if this really works---and it does, and I'm quite thrilled with the result, as I love my 41mm ceramic diver, but...
Annapolis ·
That dial as well...sigh off to chrono24 just to see what those are costing
 
Annapolis
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Gubbo Gubbo
That dial as well...sigh off to chrono24 just to see what those are costing


I tell ya, the 41mm ceramic divers were the best Omega’s ever made—slender and perfectly sized lug to lug, and ceramic without being over-the-top shiny. The Rio has a cool patterned dial that in most lighting just looks plain—and the little splash of color(s) on the bezel is fantastic. And it’s not marked all over the place with Olympics crap. Love the watch so much, especially on the tapered oyster bracelet with concealed clasp, but even on the Bond one (which I keep tucked away).

I’d hesitate to pay more than 4k usd, especially since it’ll likely be due for an $800 service, being nearly a decade old now. (Mine went out for one shortly after I got it—the new pickup in this thread will need one too, shortly.)
Edited:
 
Gubbo
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Annapolis Annapolis
I tell ya, the 41mm ceramic divers were the best Omega’s ever made—slender and perfectly sized lug to lug, and ceramic without being over-the-top shiny. The Rio has a cool patterned dial that in most lighting just looks plain—and little splash of color(s) on the bezel is fantastic. And it’s not marked all over the place with Olympics crap. Love the watch so much, especially on the tapered oyster bracelet with concealed clasp, but even on the Bond one (which I keep tucked away).

I’d hesitate to pay more than 4k to usd, especially since it’ll likely be due for an $800 service, being nearly a decade old now. (Mine went out for one shortly after I got it—the new pick up in this thread will need one too, shortly.)
I'm reminding myself, like the time I had it in my hands, that I don't like the hev, and that I can't live with the skeleton hands.

Sorry, I derailed this from your new watch. My bad.
 
Ron_W
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Another pic in natural light. The small seconds hand appears black most of the time but the blue polish occasionally pops.

IMG_5255.webp

Nicely balanced with full numerals on the corners, if you want a full 6 that is where the small seconds end up. Another version is the 1948 re-edition, the one without the 6 and small seconds looked good on pictures, but when i tried these on i actualy preferred the one with all numerals and longer seconds hand 🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️.

Seamaster 1948 re edition.webp

If it wasn`t for the stupid caseback wit a boat and plane....
 
Annapolis
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Ron_W Ron_W
Nicely balanced with full numerals on the corners, if you want a full 6 that is where the small seconds end up. Another version is the 1948 re-edition, the one without the 6 and small seconds looked good on pictures, but when i tried these on i actualy preferred the one with all numerals and longer seconds hand 🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️.

Seamaster 1948 re edition.webp

If it wasn`t for the stupid caseback wit a boat and plane....

Yep, I considered these options for years as well, but just wasn’t as drawn to them—the dial on the London one is more attractive to my eyes. These ones cost more on the preowned market (though are far easier to find, so I don’t think they sell well) which was another ding against them for me. And as you say, all else being equal, the casebacks are a huge problem—such a mistake by Omega. In general, as I’ve matured into this hobby, I’ve soured on display casebacks, especially on full-rotor automatic, non-high-horology watches like these. Glad to see that Omega appears to be shifting away from them lately.
 
Ron_W
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Yep, I considered these options for years as well, but just wasn’t as drawn to them—the dial on the London one is more attractive to my eyes. These ones cost more on the preowned market (though are far easier to find, so I don’t think they sell well) which was another ding against them for me. And as you say, all else being equal, the casebacks are a huge problem—such a mistake by Omega. In general, as I’ve matured into this hobby, I’ve soured on display casebacks, especially on full-rotor automatic, non-high-horology watches like these. Glad to see that Omega appears to be shifting away from them lately.
Yes, those are pricey ! at ~6K , which can also buy you a CK859, the one good exception with a display back as it does have a nice enough movement to look at.
 
Annapolis
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One more pic just now, in indirect natural light. The dial has more depth, especially with the box sapphire crystal, than I originally appreciated.

IMG_5278.webp
 
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