Agree completely. The BB58 is one of the few watches I've owned that I was genuinely indifferent to (didn't help that it was sent back twice). Flat from the start and seemed less and less interesting the more I wore it. This Bond is a much more nuanced and interesting design overall (as is the Trilogy, IMO).

 

It’s got a lovely warmth to it but would be worried about the aluminium bezel and how it will age.

 

I was pretty inspired with purchasing the Omega, but decided on a whim to call my local AD to see if they carry the BB58 (crossing my finger). They said they were out, but will call me when they get one in.... of course they called me within a few hours and located one for me.... went to pick up a Tudor BB58 instead today at MSRP (got lucky) after reading potential alternatives to consider.... my wallet is thanking me for it for saving a few grand.

 

I know this is hard to believe, but I have yet to see a BB58 live (no Tudor ADs in Rio/São Paulo). When I was passing through on business there were none to see in the local Vancouver/Houston ADs.

I have so far been unimpressed with the Tudor Black Bays when I have seen them close-up, and I especially dislike the case thickness. I thought the slimmer BB58 might be "the one" that might generate interest...well based on the above posts, I will certainly lower my expectations.

 

Amazing that our posts almost coincided...I was just writing a post about lowering my expectations on the BB58, and then suddenly you took the plunge! Congratulations on your new BB58, wear it in excellent health!

 

Excerpt from a Guardian piece on branding and Bond:

Timepieces
In Casino Royale, Eva Green asks Daniel Craig if he’s wearing a Rolex. He shakes his head: “Omega.” To which she replies: “Beautiful.” The sponsor switch actually happened 11 years earlier but viewers are made aware of this change via the actors’ flirtatious exchange.

A similar tactic is used in the No Time to Die trailer, which features at least five conspicuous wrist glimpses, some requiring substantial hoisting of a jacket sleeve. The showcase watch this time round is Omega’s newSeamaster Diver 300M 007 edition (from £6,520) which, according to a press release, has been “purposefully built with the needs of 007 in mind”.

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/dec/06/james-bond-no-time-to-die-007-trailer-film

 

And yet, absurdly, they continue to arm him with a PPK and dress him in suits too small, driving a vintage car that's outperformed by a modern family saloon.

 

Another collector here in the SF Bay Area has one and brought it to a GTG - there are of course no BB58s at the Tudor ADs in the area. Nor GMTs obviously. I'd still like to see one of those in person but I tend to agree, the Black Bay isn't terribly impressive in person and is a bit too big, especially with the new in-house movement. But, at the secondary market price, I think the blue is really nice - if they were to put out a BB58 Blue or GMT, I'd likely be a buyer.

 

Damn it.... if they have a GMT in BB58, that would be the piece to get.... damn me and my impulse

 

I was looking online to get one on the grey market as I understand most ADs don't have them and were selling over MSRP..... One lucky well timed placed phone call to an AD 2 blocks down from my work whom I have never done business with, actually tracked one down for me.... I took that as a buying sign.... this passion is getting expensive

 

If Rolex isn’t looking over their shoulder for Omega, they should be. This is one of the best releases yet from Omega. Stunning.

 

The omega is also 3 times the price of a bb58. You could have a bb58, a blue 36mm bb and a pelagos lhd for the price of the bond.

I guess by the time you've bought the first 3, you might as well admit that you have a serious problem and walk into an omega ad and buy the bond seamaster

 

Well they don't, but they do have a lovely P01 for you instead. They really took a page from their big brother Rolex this year, and instead of putting out something that would have caused a buying frenzy, they gave us shit nobody wants.

 

Those ridiculously tight suits, high hem and very pointy shoes exemplify the current euro-fashion. I think it's absurd, but half the western world disagrees with me. I also hate that he wears no belt on his trousers. It's as though he is only half dressed.

 

Personally I think it's a beauty. Price is a bit steep, so will want to wait to try one on in person.

 

From what I've seen so far it's unlikely that I will buy one, I think it doesn't flow very well, great sapphire, great lume, but the colour of the markers, the bracelet are at odds with the design, oh and the price is on the high side.

 

Some other vintage inspired dive watch options at a similar US$8K retail price to the Bond Seamaster (on strap)

Polaris Limited Edition, lovely photo below from Hodinkee

Glashutte Original SeaQ, photo below from Monochrome watches.

 

I owned the original vintage Polaris but have to say the modern version is very nice...Can you tell me what the size is?

 

Each to there own but I love my BB58 and probably one watch I’d never sell. Tried the 300 on many times and the 300 master and find the dimension terrible. Dislike the long straight lugs and polishing.

For me the BB58 wins hands down

 

Sorry to hear you had issue with your BB58. Love mine and think overall a better looking watch than than the 300s and dare I say it Rolex Subs. Guess the issues would leave me uninspired with the brand. Every brand has issues, I read so many on Panerai (another brand I have). Agree the new 007 SMP does seem more ‘fun’.