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rfcs
·You’ve raised a good point for why Omega may have shied away from micro adjustments on the SS bracelet in the AT. The clasp would certainly have to be bigger.
Omega Seamaster Bracelet vs. Rolex Submariner Bracelet
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Blackdog
·Heavy bracelets and heavy clasps are overrated.
The Rolex oyster from the 5-digit references, with the hollow centerlinks, and the "tuna-can" clasp is extremely light and reliable. Is one of my favorites in terms of comfort. The Jubilee of the same era is ridiculously comfortable and light.
Omega bracelets are good, but not as comfortable in my opinion. They tend to be too heavy.
The Rolex oyster from the 5-digit references, with the hollow centerlinks, and the "tuna-can" clasp is extremely light and reliable. Is one of my favorites in terms of comfort. The Jubilee of the same era is ridiculously comfortable and light.
Omega bracelets are good, but not as comfortable in my opinion. They tend to be too heavy.
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duc
·My 16610, purchased in 2002, has SEL and doesn't feel heavy. The SEL were a plus to me when I went to purchase as I had seen some other versions purchased not long before mine, with hollow end links.
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Rado63
·The tapered bracelets add a different style element to any watch. Modern Rolex bracelets are definitely comfortable, and have on the go adjustability, but it doesn't make the Omega products just something inferior. Once you get any watch bracelet or strap adjusted well for your wrist you shouldn't have too many issues.
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greyfox422
·All a matter of taste. I'm wear watches mostly on leather or NATO straps, but if I'm going to wear a bracelet on a watch, I don't want it to be heavy, so I actually prefer the old hollow link "rattle-trap" bracelets of old.
If you don't mind me asking, where do you get your leather and NATOs from?
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Archer
··Omega Qualified WatchmakerIf you don't mind me asking, where do you get your leather and NATOs from?
Well, various places...
The strap I wear most is on my Speedmaster, and it comes from here:
Rover Haven Straps
I have another watch on an Omega strap. I have my GO on a JLC leather strap from a watch that I no longer own. My JLC is on a strap from a place that no longer exists. My Nomos is on the Nomos strap it came on. My Panerai is on a Greg Stevens Design strap at the moment.
A couple of the NATO straps I use came from a vendor who goes by the name Squinky (these were bought many years ago now), and the rest are from Cheapest NATO straps.
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scapa
·F Freq18HzThe 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
Agree. After years of messing around with my 2018 SMP bracelet I finally swapped to the rubber and never looked back. I find the adjustable clasp on my Doxa 1500 to be less clunky and better integrated than the Omega's, while being just as solid and possibly a little lighter also. Flexibility is appreciated, but the implementation can be further refined, I think. YMMV, especially in this case.
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eldiano84
·I own both, the rolex i had for a longer while than the SMP omega bracelet. Yes the Oyster bracelet is lightweight and hollow, but after massive, colossal daily wear they dent, hard, i had to get a new one after the pin broke. That set me back $1,500 for a brand new bracelet, yes I could have just replaced the pin but rolex doesn’t try to make it brand new and they even tell you they can’t get rid of the deep dents and scratches so i just went ahead and got a new one.
Meanwhile the omega steel is heavy and robust, durable, hell the price on a new one is $700-750. Some of the reviews I have seen also make a big deal about tapered and not tapered but I prefer both at the end of the day, i like the heavy feel of the omega bracelet, but sometimes you forget how light the rolex watches can be especially submariners.
I’m thinking long term though, so far I’ve spent 4 times the amount i’ve paid for my rolex on maintenance but highly doubt omega’s is that expensive. In my experience I have it good with my local Boutique that they polish and do a brief maintenance for free.
Meanwhile the omega steel is heavy and robust, durable, hell the price on a new one is $700-750. Some of the reviews I have seen also make a big deal about tapered and not tapered but I prefer both at the end of the day, i like the heavy feel of the omega bracelet, but sometimes you forget how light the rolex watches can be especially submariners.
I’m thinking long term though, so far I’ve spent 4 times the amount i’ve paid for my rolex on maintenance but highly doubt omega’s is that expensive. In my experience I have it good with my local Boutique that they polish and do a brief maintenance for free.
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Lbennett
·Judge for yourself. I do find the clasp of the Omega to be more “pinchy” for sure. I really wish they would have removed all sharp edges from the buckle as well as the over exaggerated and abrupt curves of the clasp... but I also think the lack of taper actually helps the dial to sit more comfortably and squarely on the wrist and never feel too top heavy. Note - the Rolex bracelet pictured is from the OP41. It is an oyster bracelet with easy link.
Edited:
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greyfox422
·Judge for yourself. I do find the clasp of the Omega to be more “pinchy” for sure. I really wish they would have removed all sharp edges from the buckle as well as the over exaggerated and abrupt curves of the clasp... but I also think the lack of taper actually helps the dial to sit more comfortably and squarely on the wrist and never feel too top heavy. Note - the Rolex bracelet pictured is from the OP41. It is an oyster bracelet with easy link.
I could see Omega rounding the edges to keep the compactness of the clasp. I've been wearing mine with bracelet and have never been pinched that I can remember, but YMMV.
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mjb
·I agree with everything above.
LOL, I've had the tuna can 5 digit Rolex bracelets, which feel and sound cheap but are super comfortable. I've had the 6 digit robust Rolex bracelets which fix the feel and sound issues, and are still super comfortable but the watches are stupid expensive, and in fact I've sold them all. I haven't tried the new 12xxxx bracelets, which many complain are too big in the clasp, no taper, yada, yada, yada.
I'm a hairy orangutan, so I have issues with some bracelets pinching (I like it tight) and pulling hairs. The seamaster just never worked for me. The speedmaster works great for me.
LOL, I've had the tuna can 5 digit Rolex bracelets, which feel and sound cheap but are super comfortable. I've had the 6 digit robust Rolex bracelets which fix the feel and sound issues, and are still super comfortable but the watches are stupid expensive, and in fact I've sold them all. I haven't tried the new 12xxxx bracelets, which many complain are too big in the clasp, no taper, yada, yada, yada.
I'm a hairy orangutan, so I have issues with some bracelets pinching (I like it tight) and pulling hairs. The seamaster just never worked for me. The speedmaster works great for me.
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Foo2rama
··Keeps his worms in a ball instead of a can.At the price, the sub should compare to the PO.
I can tell you PO bracelets are better then Subs.
I can tell you PO bracelets are better then Subs.
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Mac-427
·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?
This is my current Seamaster. I've had two Subs and a Sea Dweller and I prefer the Seamaster bracelet because the its complexity makes it hug my wrist closely and the micro-adjustment in the clasp is unbeatable. Some people's preoccupation with the Rolex "taper" mystifies me, but maybe my esthetics aren't as effete as they should be.😉
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nicolamilton
·At the price, the sub should compare to the PO.
I can tell you PO bracelets are better then Subs.
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Foo2rama
··Keeps his worms in a ball instead of a can.In which way?
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nicolamilton
·Solidness, wrist feel, heft.
You should try glidelock to know what confort means.
I think Rolex bracelets are on a very superior level in all aspects, but specially ergonomics and aesthetics.
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Foo2rama
··Keeps his worms in a ball instead of a can.I don't think anyone tried solidness, maybe you associate it with heavier and chunkier aspects.
You should try glidelock to know what confort means.
I think Rolex bracelets are on a very superior level in all aspects, but specially ergonomics and aesthetics.
If you have not tried the PO bracelet then I wouldn't comment.
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greyfox422
·I don't think anyone tried solidness, maybe you associate it with heavier and chunkier aspects.
You should try glidelock to know what confort means.
I think Rolex bracelets are on a very superior level in all aspects, but specially ergonomics and aesthetics.
The only thing Rolex has over the Omega bracelet is the is the glidelock system. The clasp itself seems cheap or flimsy but the setting on the clasp to allow for a bit of springiness is pretty cool. For me, the sturdiness of the Omega bracelet is superior to Rolex. Some hate on on the non-tapper but I prefer it. The wider claps is more comfortable for me.
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Donn Chambers
·Heavy bracelets and heavy clasps are overrated.
The Rolex oyster from the 5-digit references, with the hollow centerlinks, and the "tuna-can" clasp is extremely light and reliable. Is one of my favorites in terms of comfort. The Jubilee of the same era is ridiculously comfortable and light.
Omega bracelets are good, but not as comfortable in my opinion. They tend to be too heavy.
I know I'm late to this thread, but I had to add a comment here.
I agree with this statement 100%. I used to think the comfort of Rolex bracelets was primarily driven by fanboys who can't believe anything about their watch isn't "superlative." But after wearing my Rolex Explorer for the last 5 months on one of these old, hollow-link oyster bracelets, they are right! It is so much more comfortable than any Omega bracelet I have ever worn, and these include ones on the fan-favorite 2254, the Speedmaster Pro, the "Bond" bracelet, the Planet Ocean, AND the Seamaster 300 MC -- so I have some experience.
Those are heavier, yes. Probably stronger. But for me, I always got irritation points near the clasp, and had to wear it pretty loose to avoid that, which led to the watch flopping around. I can wear the Oyster much tighter (like I wear my straps) with no irritation at all, even when my wrist swells.
I think it is primarily because the underside of the Oyster links is curved and not flat (like on all Omega bracelets) and the underside of the clasp is smoother and curved more like my wrist.
I want to like the Omega bracelets, I really do. But the Rolex Oyster really is more comfortable for me.
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Archer
··Omega Qualified WatchmakerI want to like the Omega bracelets, I really do. But the Rolex Oyster really is more comfortable for me.
I think it's more about the age than the company. If you try any of the older hollow link style Omega bracelets, they are just as good as the old Rolex bracelets are.
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