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OK, deciding between Omega SMP 212.30.41.20.03.001 instead of older 2531/2541 references?

E
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gramboda gramboda
Appreciate that and I agree. Budget is a primary factor for me which usually leads to a less than ideal outcome and costing more in the long run. I will learn someday. ;-)
Another problem is I want ALL the styles! HA! - a SMP, a Speedmaster and don't forget the chrono SMP, Aqua Terra and now the Plant Ocean!
The only thing I really know for sure is I want an Omega. The current gen white dial SMP is what got my juices flowing. I was at the Omega Boutique in DC in December and I thought, "This is going to be my grail watch." Then I dove head first into researching the SMP in general and the first gen Bond watch caught my fancy, and it is cheaper than the current gen.
Also, I totally ate up the sales experience at the boutique. I have custom ordered cars for exponentially more money and havent been treated as well. It was really a nice experience. I wouldn't get that on the gray or second hand market. There is a premium price for that too, though. I also have a major birthday milestone I would like to celebrate with a gift to myself AND a trip abroad I would like to have the watch for.
All this is to say, you're right. I really need to see these in person and/or maybe I save my pennies for the latest gen.

IMG_1699.webp
I actually JUST picked up that same watch! I ended up paying $3k for it, though I got super lucky. You can get that lightly-used for ~$3600 if you shop around a bit.

Overall a fantastic watch, and I loved the look. If that is your grail, you should, IMO, save up the extra 1k and just buy it.
 
gramboda
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E ErichKeane
I actually JUST picked up that same watch! I ended up paying $3k for it, though I got super lucky. You can get that lightly-used for ~$3600 if you shop around a bit.

Overall a fantastic watch, and I loved the look. If that is your grail, you should, IMO, save up the extra 1k and just buy it.
$3K is a score! Congrats!
 
fiberguy
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gramboda gramboda
F%^%$#! I gotta see these watches in person to make a decision, then. I don't know how that's ever going to happen where I live. I am few hours from Chicago. I guess I need to make trek down there to see if I can find all these examples in one geographical area. Any recommendations are appreciated!
Go to Burdeens in Buffalo Grove - they have lots of pre-owned and a nice selection of new. Problem is the 10 other brands they carry are going to be a huge distraction 😀
 
Dsloan
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OP, you seen like an eager new collector with money burning a hole in your pocket. I strongly agree that you should slow down, visit a shop with vintage models, and see what really speaks to you on your wrist.

You're buying a luxury item and saving a few hundred bucks on a deal is less important than finding a piece that you really like and will enjoy for years to come.
 
Jakeys
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gramboda gramboda
I’ve been really focused on the Omega Seamaster 2531 and 2541 models lately, but I’m struggling to land on a solid preference between quartz and automatic. Both have their pros and cons, and I can’t seem to settle on one.
The main issue for me is condition. These watches are older and show signs of wear, which has led me to consider the newer 212.30.41.20.03.001 instead.
I’m not particularly attached to the 007 heritage of the 2531/2541, and I think I’m willing to let go of the wave dial and the yellow hour markers for the sake of a more modern look and better condition. I particularly prefer the read Seamaster on the dial of this model (more than I care about the wave dial, in fact.)

Given my avatar, my choice should be obvious. But, if you like the wave dial but want something a little newer, why skip straight to the 212.30.41.20.03.001 SMPc? Why not have a look at the interim SMP 2220.80? You get the red lettering you mentioned you love AND the wave dial, you get nicer applied hour markers than the OGs, and you get a better co-axial movement than the OGs as well. Plus, I haven't checked but I assume it's a little cheaper than the SMPc so probably suits your budget better. This model ran until I think around 2013?

Seems like a no brainer to me for your preferences.

1736986546650.webp
 
502 to right
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Jakeys Jakeys
Given my avatar, my choice should be obvious. But, if you like the wave dial but want something a little newer, why skip straight to the 212.30.41.20.03.001 SMPc? Why not have a look at the interim SMP 2220.80? You get the red lettering you mentioned you love AND the wave dial, you get nicer applied hour markers than the OGs, and you get a better co-axial movement than the OGs as well. Plus, I haven't checked but I assume it's a little cheaper than the SMPc so probably suits your budget better. This model ran until I think around 2013?

Seems like a no brainer to me for your preferences.

1736986546650.webp

He wants to keep the price under 2k. A 2220.80 is out of reach unless it's been dragged behind a car.
 
ErichPryde
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502 to right 502 to right
He wants to keep the price under 2k. A 2220.80 is out of reach unless it's been dragged behind a car.
He does, but it seems he's reaching up to looking at ~2500 priced watches.

The 2220.80 is lovely!
 
Jakeys
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He wants to keep the price under 2k. A 2220.80 is out of reach unless it's been dragged behind a car.

The same applies for the SMPc anyway, I still think the 2220.80 is a better choice.
 
goudaville
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ErichPryde ErichPryde
Exactly why he needs to see these watches in person, the wrist is a highly imperfect flattened cylinder. Two people can have the same diameter but completely different wrist surface area....
I've been eyeing this exact reference for something like 9 months. the problem I've run into is that I haven't found an option for trying one on before taking the plunge. I keep tabs on local dealers (I'm in NYC) but they don't pop up as often as I would have expected. tried the latest reference on at an OB, but realize the dimensions are slightly different. any tips?
 
502 to right
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If you want the white 42mm that's priced out of reach, I would not recommend buying a multi-thousand dollar Omega that is not what you really want. I recommend buying a San Martin or Watchdives watch that looks similar (or some other Chinese made watch--there's a bunch out there), and wear that while you save the money for what you really want. Spend a couple hundred dollars instead of a couple of thousand. And save to get what you want.



[Edit - and when I say Chinese made I am not recommending a counterfeit watch. Or what some people annoyingly call "replica" watches. There is a massive legal difference between a watch that looks like a Seamaster that says San Martin on the dial as opposed to a Chinese made watch that says Omega on the dial.]
Edited:
 
aphexafx
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I think the 2220.80 is lovely as well. The busy wave dial helps support the applied indexes for me and the date window is square. The printed features on the 2531.80 are way more tool-cool, though! Opinions!

OP, for your reference, here are all four standard editions of the SMP 300 in blue from 1993 to now. The scale is per OMEGA's website and not necessarily realistic but close enough.
OMEGA_Seamaster_300M_Line.webp


Edited to add:
2531.80 | https://www.omegawatches.com/media/pdf/watches/product-sheet/us/en-us/25318000-en-us.pdf
2220.80 | https://www.omegawatches.com/media/pdf/watches/product-sheet/us/en-us/22208000-en-us.pdf
212.30.41.20.03.001 | https://www.omegawatches.com/media/pdf/watches/product-sheet/us/en-us/21230412003001-en-us.pdf
210.30.42.20.03.001 | https://www.omegawatches.com/media/pdf/watches/product-sheet/us/en-us/21030422003001-en-us.pdf
Edited:
 
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