In every video I watch, one detractor for the Seamaster is the fact that the bracelet isn't as good as the Rolex. Everyone complains about the fact that it doesn't tapper and is therefore inferior. I've never worn a Sub bracelet, but I've been wearing my Seamaster on bracelet for almost 3 years and have never had an issue and it's the most comfortable bracelet I've every worn. I don't understand the slight again Omega. Can someone help me out?
The AT has a lot going for it that overcomes some of its shortcomings with the SS bracelet. The only shortcoming in my view is that it doesn’t have the micro adjustment capabilities of the Ceramic Sub’s glidelock. You can adjust the Sub’s glidelock bracelet for the perfect fit to size your wrist during the day without taking out any of the spacers or links. Advantage Rolex but only for the micro adjustment capability of newer post 2012 Sub models.
Weight is the primary factor for why I prefer Rolex oysters to the modern Seamaster bracelets. I find the Bond bracelet even from 2 generations ago (on the 2220.80) to be noticeably too heavy. Especially relative to the weight of the watch case. The current-generation Seamaster bracelets are even heavier.
The most comfortable Seamaster bracelet I had was the Speedy-style one, on a 2254.50. It wasn't so hefty, and the weight of that bracelet + clasp felt perfectly in proportion with its thinner case, housing the caliber 1120.
I don't understand why Omega designed their modern bracelets to weigh so much. Maybe the newer co-axial movements were drivers to bulk up the bracelets, since the watch cases themselves grew taller to house the movements? I miss how thin the 2254 is. The stainless-steel bracelet for my Globemaster is also unnecessarily heavy, reminding me all day that I have a chunk of metal on my wrist. In contrast, my 36mm Oyster Perpetual just disappears because it's so light & comfortable.
The all-steel bracelets on the 2 Seamasters still in my collection (a 2220.80, and a 43.mm Planet Ocean) each feels heftier than 2-tone oyster bracelet on my 6-digit Bluesy sub, which has solid gold center links.
I guess the biggest complains come from Rolex Kool-Aid drinkers.
The only Omega bracelet that I’ve experienced that is better is the number 12/1039 beads of rice bracelet on my 1964 Constellation - that one is the bomb, but long since out of production.
3010 is the current version.
I can't speak to the 2254, 2220, or PO but the last 2 generations of Seamaster aren't overly heavy in my opinion. The hefty feels appropriate to the size and weight of the watch head. The case and movement are thicker than the Sub and maybe this makes the bracelet thicker and heavier than the Sub the bracelet. I guess I've gotten used to the weight and don't mind it, not sure.
Thank you for the insight.
The truth here is, both bracelets are overall the best they've ever been from a comfort perspective, and both also need improvements.
Sub owners are finally happy with their bracelet. If you go back to the mid 2000's or so, Omega SMP had a far superior bracelet. The Rolex bracelet was a rattle-trap that felt cheap, had an ugly clasp, and hollow endlinks. In comparison, the Omega SMP had a much more solid clasp, nicer links (although not screwed links). Ever since Rolex upgraded the sub bracelet and added glide-lock, Rolex owners have been celebrating.
However the latest sub 41mm, the clasp is now absolutely massive and while the glidelock mechanism has probably been made more robust, the new size of the clasp is absurd, and in my opinion a big downgrade.
Similarly, the Omega SMP bracelet while super comfortable, definitely has a polarizing look (referencing that 90s bond seamaster look), and without the taper it is a chunky monkey that doesn't really have a modern look (as most new watch releases have tapered bracelets with a bit of vintage vibe, including the new speedies).
At this point, both bracelets need to go on a diet, the sub with a smaller clasp and the smp with a taper. The trick will be if someone can do a no-tool-required infinite microadjust/pushbutton micro adjust while keeping a small clasp. I think omega specifically didn't add this functionality to the new speedmaster in order to keep the clasp a manageable size.
-Freq
