Isn't the 2541 case a couple tenths of a millimeter thinner?
Yes, although I thought that was mainly in the caseback. Beyond the limits of my knowledge there. But surely the lug holes can't be in a different place, because the bracelet is definitely shared between the 2531/2541 and sits flush with the lugs on both, no? It has to be in the same place?
I thought I would do a bit of a write up on the details around fitting the current generation Seamaster Professional/Diver 300M rubber straps to first generation 1990's and early 2000's Seamaster Professional 41mm references. Some other members have posted before in comments that this does fit, but the consensus is that it is a tight fit, and there is talk of different spring bars or potential damage. I decided to provide a little bit more specific detail in a dedicated thread.
So, firstly, this applies to the two piece straps currently on Omega's website for Seamaster Diver 300M models, formerly known as Seamaster Professional 300M. My specific example is listed as SKU 032CVZ010127. They're designed for current Seamaster models and fit them perfectly, with flush lugs and perfect springbar placement. If you want to fit those straps to older first generation Seamaster Professional 300M models, such as the Bonds (2541.80 and 2531.80) or Peter Blake (2254.50) or others with 41mm cases, this post covers that. I think the mid cycle refresh applied dial co-axial references (2220.80 and others) must also work, but can't speak for any Planet Oceans or the ceramic dial SMPc models.
Long story short, the current gen straps do fit the 41mm first gen SMP, but it isn't a perfect fit. The curvature is slightly different from the lugs, the height is slightly lower than the bezel, and yes - the springbars are very slightly out of place. The good news is, all of these differences are very slight and it totally does work and look great on wrist. Importantly, you can use the correct original springbars, and you won't damage them or the watch. But it is fiddly, and it can take a few minutes per side to get the strap attached.
The reason for the difficulty, as far as I can tell, is that the springbar holes are either further out, or higher, or a combination of both compared to the newer references. So you have to angle the inner lip of the strap down a little bit to lift the point where the springbar is up by barely enough (Less than 1mm probably) to locate the springbar tips in the holes. This probably puts a tiny bit of extra pressure on them, but from what I can tell nowhere near enough that I would stress about damaging them. Consider that with many bracelets, there is a little bit of play which would be pulling on the springbar barrels during wear anyway - I don't think that's any different here.
I found the best way to install them was to position one springbar tip in one lug, and then compress the tip on the other side and angle it down to get it almost in place, then just very carefully kind of "hunt around" with it adjusting the angle and position slightly until the tip manages to find its hole and click into place. This took me a few minutes and several slips out of the lug (Thumb applying pressure from dial side of lug so if it slips out it does so on the underside) but I imagine once you had more experience with it, you could probably do the strap change in a couple of minutes.
End result is a snug fit, with a very slight downward angle, but not enough to notice. You could maybe get an improved fit with curved springbars, but personally I think it's about as good as it can be with the included springbars. Speaking of, I measured these - Omega supply springbar 068ST2207 for 20 mm rubber. This is the exact same part number they supply for the standard 20 mm bracelet. Usually they supply a slightly longer barrel springbar for straps meant for 20 mm lugs, but I think they're supplying the bracelet part because the rubber strap fills the entire lug space like a bracelet does, so the strap springbar (068ST2208) with a 1mm longer barrel would be too hard to install and remove.
Finally, just a general review of the strap beyond fitment, it is excellent. The rubber looks great, it's really soft and comfortable, the buckle is absolutely amazing and matches the lyre lugs, and it came in the same fancy travel case style packaging as the NATOs do when bought online. I didn't pay for the optional spring bar tool this time, but they still included it - woohoo, a spare. It felt a bit firm to put on at first because the keepers are a bit restrictive, especially the titanium reinforced fixed keeper, but you get the hang of it really quickly. I have an 18 cm (7.1") wrist and I'm wearing it snug but not tight on the third from smallest hole.
In summary, though it can be annoying to install, I highly recommend the current gen rubber strap on OG Bond Seamasters. There is no risk of damage or need to get different springbars, and the shape discrepancy is very subtle and not noticeable on wrist.
I thought I would do a bit of a write up on the details around fitting the current generation Seamaster Professional/Diver 300M rubber straps to first generation 1990's and early 2000's Seamaster Professional 41mm references. Some other members have posted before in comments that this does fit, but the consensus is that it is a tight fit, and there is talk of different spring bars or potential damage. I decided to provide a little bit more specific detail in a dedicated thread.
So, firstly, this applies to the two piece straps currently on Omega's website for Seamaster Diver 300M models, formerly known as Seamaster Professional 300M. My specific example is listed as SKU 032CVZ010127. They're designed for current Seamaster models and fit them perfectly, with flush lugs and perfect springbar placement. If you want to fit those straps to older first generation Seamaster Professional 300M models, such as the Bonds (2541.80 and 2531.80) or Peter Blake (2254.50) or others with 41mm cases, this post covers that. I think the mid cycle refresh applied dial co-axial references (2220.80 and others) must also work, but can't speak for any Planet Oceans or the ceramic dial SMPc models.
Long story short, the current gen straps do fit the 41mm first gen SMP, but it isn't a perfect fit. The curvature is slightly different from the lugs, the height is slightly lower than the bezel, and yes - the springbars are very slightly out of place. The good news is, all of these differences are very slight and it totally does work and look great on wrist. Importantly, you can use the correct original springbars, and you won't damage them or the watch. But it is fiddly, and it can take a few minutes per side to get the strap attached.
The reason for the difficulty, as far as I can tell, is that the springbar holes are either further out, or higher, or a combination of both compared to the newer references. So you have to angle the inner lip of the strap down a little bit to lift the point where the springbar is up by barely enough (Less than 1mm probably) to locate the springbar tips in the holes. This probably puts a tiny bit of extra pressure on them, but from what I can tell nowhere near enough that I would stress about damaging them. Consider that with many bracelets, there is a little bit of play which would be pulling on the springbar barrels during wear anyway - I don't think that's any different here.
I found the best way to install them was to position one springbar tip in one lug, and then compress the tip on the other side and angle it down to get it almost in place, then just very carefully kind of "hunt around" with it adjusting the angle and position slightly until the tip manages to find its hole and click into place. This took me a few minutes and several slips out of the lug (Thumb applying pressure from dial side of lug so if it slips out it does so on the underside) but I imagine once you had more experience with it, you could probably do the strap change in a couple of minutes.
End result is a snug fit, with a very slight downward angle, but not enough to notice. You could maybe get an improved fit with curved springbars, but personally I think it's about as good as it can be with the included springbars. Speaking of, I measured these - Omega supply springbar 068ST2207 for 20 mm rubber. This is the exact same part number they supply for the standard 20 mm bracelet. Usually they supply a slightly longer barrel springbar for straps meant for 20 mm lugs, but I think they're supplying the bracelet part because the rubber strap fills the entire lug space like a bracelet does, so the strap springbar (068ST2208) with a 1mm longer barrel would be too hard to install and remove.
Finally, just a general review of the strap beyond fitment, it is excellent. The rubber looks great, it's really soft and comfortable, the buckle is absolutely amazing and matches the lyre lugs, and it came in the same fancy travel case style packaging as the NATOs do when bought online. I didn't pay for the optional spring bar tool this time, but they still included it - woohoo, a spare. It felt a bit firm to put on at first because the keepers are a bit restrictive, especially the titanium reinforced fixed keeper, but you get the hang of it really quickly. I have an 18 cm (7.1") wrist and I'm wearing it snug but not tight on the third from smallest hole.
In summary, though it can be annoying to install, I highly recommend the current gen rubber strap on OG Bond Seamasters. There is no risk of damage or need to get different springbars, and the shape discrepancy is very subtle and not noticeable on wrist.
If you remove the top edge of the step on the strap, done here with a Dremel, it fits perfectly with the OEM pins.
The newer case has a step further down, the old case is a chamfer a bit closer which stops it fitting.
While the strap is rubber, the end has a hard plastic insert so there's no give.
Just to add some comments to this thread.
Firstly I don't doubt that it is possible to fit the same rubber strap that is on the new Seamaster watches to much older Seamasters with smaller cases, albeit with some effort and perhaps tight fitting.
I have just had a major service on my 2003 Seamaster Chrono Diver 2599.80.00 (41.5mm) at the main Omega Service Centre in Southhampton. I requested a new blue rubber strap instead of metal as I now prefer this option on watches. They won't fit a "new model" blue rubber strap. They will only fit model no. 098000210 (if you want blue rubber). You can't actually buy it from the Omega catalogue online etc., it can occasionally be found on third part sites (Swiss Watch Spares etc.). I am lead to believe that this strap has been manufactured by Omega specifically for this scenario eg. for older smaller Seamasters.
The strap looks great and is a perfect match for the dial and bezel.
