Modded 2231.80 on eBay (electric blue titanium)

[Annapolis]

Someone on the Bay is selling this titanium electric blue with a blue aluminum bezel fitted rather than the original titanium one (though the original bezel is included in the sale). I’m not posting this in the recommended eBay subforum since I don’t have the eye/expertise with this reference to say whether it’s a good example or not, for $3,245 US.

Kinda curious what others think about this lite mod—? I think I like it, perhaps even more than the OEM configuration. I’m not usually a big fan of tool-bezel watches where the bezel is the same color as the case.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/387133042924?_trkparms=amclksrc=ITM&aid=777008&algo=PERSONAL.TOPIC&ao=1&asc=20240315173020&meid=f067ca7b80e040968cedf9a94d7d76f0&pid=102069&rk=1&rkt=1&itm=387133042924&pmt=0&noa=1&pg=4375194&algv=RecentlyViewedItemsV2SignedOutMobile&brand=OMEGA&_trksid=p4375194.c102069.m5481&_trkparms=parentrq:8dda6fa91900ab9c81ed0011fffd4e0a|pageci:3835a832-3c77-11ef-86c5-e237b4df87fa|iid:1|vlpname:vlp_homepage

 

[dsio]

Price is too high, I like the look but it should be kept in mind that Omega do not sell the individual inserts only the full bezel assembly, so when there are individual insets they’re typically aftermarket parts.

 

[Annapolis]

Oh, and I see now the same seller also has this one—same reference, more substantial mod. So this is apparently a thing he does.

This one for $4,245. The prices are… a bit silly, if you ask me. But the concepts are fun.

 

[paddymoran]

Nice look but the prices are OTT and they are definitely aftermarket inserts - you can tell from the pip.

 

[Annapolis]

And I assume the dial was… painted?… on the red one?

I don’t plan to buy either of these, but I don’t hate the idea of modding some of these lower-end neovintage Seamasters as bit of fun. Just think this seller has an inflated sense of how much his touch increases the value of these watches.

 

[KeithS]

I really like the look of the electric blue mod. I think ~$3k would be a fair price if the new bezel was OEM and the movement was recently serviced.

 

[ErichPryde]

I've seen a number of Electric Blues modded this way with a proper Omega bezel, and I think it's fantastic.

 

[hen]

Why are the date windows bordered? Is that original?

 

[Annapolis]

hen

Why are the date windows bordered? Is that original?

I believe so:

https://www.omegawatches.com/en-us/watch-omega-seamaster-300-m-chronometer-22318000

 

[padders]

The Bond style models and GMT Sword hand SMPs have the date border, in general the other Sword hands type don't but I have found titanium examples with and without as seen above. The 2254, 2255 and 2230 don't seem to ever have the white border, or at least I can't find any. I too am intrigued by the red dial. Other than redial which I think is unlikely, another option for the red one is that it is a grey dial that has degraded. You do see that on titanium models with grey dial and they occasionally go purple, maybe this one went all the way to red.

For more examples of the blue Bond bezel on the sword hands electric blue model search on here for 'Super bleu' (yes with French spelling). There are plenty of SMP examples here too, both with and without date border:

https://omegaforums.net/threads/what-is-the-point-of-too-much-of-the-same.47689/

Edited: Jul 8, 2024

 

[Annapolis]

Thanks for that tip (re: super bleu), which led me to Ash’s deep dive on these references—well worth the read.

https://stories.omegaforums.net/sea...232-80-royal-navy-clearance-diver-ian-thorpe/

I just learned a ton.

 

[Cayohuesovespa]

here is mine with Omega bezel from a newer model. steel, not Ti.
I also have the adjustable clasp on the bracelet. it was an easy upgrade and makes wearing it A LOT better!
no date border, thankfully, I don't care for the border.
its getting a little beat up as I wear this one pretty often as it is one of my favorites.