PO 2500/8500 to 8800?

Modernism · Sep 24, 2021

To all the people who own the 8800 39.5 PO, who previously owned the 2500/8500. Where are you?
I may have missed this, but I've never read a post from owners who've gone there. 8900 yes, but not the 8800.

I have the first two, 2500 and 8500 and not sure about the 3rd version.
Sold the LM PO LE 1948 because of the bling and shiny dial. Is this similar in visuals

Also curious to know if the OEM 20mm NATOs fit the 19mm width, or do you use curved bars, or is it simply too big.

I wear the 2500 probably 80% of the time, and the 8500 not as much anymore. Hardly at all on the bracelet now. I never used to notice the weight of it much, but prefer it off the metal now.

Any converts out there?

tjs1295 · Sep 24, 2021

I used to have the 2500 in 42 mm, and now own the 39.5 mm. I was never able to get the 2500 to fit very well. I understand it's easier now if you use an adjustable clasp, but I don't think that was an option when I got rid of it. Originally traded it for the smpc, and I didn't regret that decision for a second. I loved that watch. Ended up gifting it to my brother. After only having a submariner date for a while, I wanted to go back to having two watches, so I checked out the 39.5 mm PO. Bought it October of 2020, and have only worn the submariner for about three weeks since then.

If you don't like shiny dials, you will hate the 39.5. For me that's one of the things I like. Wasn't a huge fan of the matte 2500. I have 6.75 inch wrists, so the 2500 always felt a tad too big for me. 39.5 fits great. No idea about the straps. Only use/like bracelets.

OmegaFan503 · Sep 24, 2021

I owned all three models:

PO 42mm 2500
PO 42mm 8500
PO 39.5mm 8800

Sold both 2500 and 8800.

For me, I just like the matte dial & bezel look more. My only gripe is the thickness of the watch. If only Omega can make it the same height as 2500, then that is the perfect watch!

tjs1295 · Sep 24, 2021

Nice 8500!! Omega is SOOOOOOOOOO close to making the PO the perfect watch............for me anyway. Maybe in 2022?

foxtrot · Sep 24, 2021

I own the 8500 42MM, it is almost perfect, I love it some days but when suddenly I ´feel/see´ the thicknes...then
that is the moment for my AT 41...

Scooterino36 · Sep 24, 2021

My ideal planet ocean would be the 2500 with the end links of the 8900.

The non-protruding end links really make it a much better wearing experience in my opinion. I’d prefer more a matte finish, but the 8900 isn’t overly flashy, and my SM300 MC is matte so it’s nice to have variety.

Foo2rama · Sep 24, 2021

The39.5 is a tad thicker then the 2500, but it pulls it off well. It’s my 2nd choice among PO’s after the 2500. (I own a 3313)

Modernism · Sep 24, 2021

T tjs1295
I used to have the 2500 in 42 mm, and now own the 39.5 mm. I was never able to get the 2500 to fit very well. I understand it's easier now if you use an adjustable clasp, but I don't think that was an option when I got rid of it. Originally traded it for the smpc, and I didn't regret that decision for a second. I loved that watch. Ended up gifting it to my brother. After only having a submariner date for a while, I wanted to go back to having two watches, so I checked out the 39.5 mm PO. Bought it October of 2020, and have only worn the submariner for about three weeks since then.

If you don't like shiny dials, you will hate the 39.5. For me that's one of the things I like. Wasn't a huge fan of the matte 2500. I have 6.75 inch wrists, so the 2500 always felt a tad too big for me. 39.5 fits great. No idea about the straps. Only use/like bracelets.

Thanks for the replies. I think it’s the lug to lug that’s more the issue with the 2500 if you had that problem. It’s less of a problem for me than the 8500. The 2500 I’ve had since 2006 and still love it The female links on the 8800 are going to be a better fit for the below 7 inch wrist. Mine is just 7, but the bracelet on the 8500 has that stick out end links, on the biggest of wrists. It's very rare when you don't see that opening on many a wrist.

OmegaFan503
I owned all three models:

PO 42mm 2500
PO 42mm 8500
PO 39.5mm 8800

Sold both 2500 and 8800.

For me, I just like the matte dial & bezel look more. My only gripe is the thickness of the watch. If only Omega can make it the same height as 2500, then that is the perfect watch!

I never used to find the weight bothered me, and I never really noticed that much of a difference with the 8500 to the 2500 for the first few years of ownership, but now, I'm looking at it as being a bit chunkier than I ever did before. Am I getting old? That's very telling that you kept the 8500 over them.

Biggest criticism of the 8500 is the lume is a downgrade from the 2500. I think it's a 'blue' thing though. Green was/is stronger

foxtrot
I own the 8500 42MM, it is almost perfect, I love it some days but when suddenly I ´feel/see´ the thicknes...then
that is the moment for my AT 41...

Yes, that's my thinking, Sometimes it's making me think, do I chuck it in for the 39.5, the 40mm dive watch SHOULD be the ultimate size and that 39.5 is close enough. I remember when 2500 came out, thickness was a big topic of conversation. I reckon If I didn't have the 8500, I may think the 2500 was a thick watch.

Scooterino36
My ideal planet ocean would be the 2500 with the end links of the 8900.

The non-protruding end links really make it a much better wearing experience in my opinion. I’d prefer more a matte finish, but the 8900 isn’t overly flashy, and my SM300 MC is matte so it’s nice to have variety.

That's the female end links thing again yes, It does make the world of difference but I have gone more away from bracelets on them now. I used to only wear bracelets but now it's rubber/NATO etc.

Foo2rama
The39.5 is a tad thicker then the 2500, but it pulls it off well. It’s my 2nd choice among PO’s after the 2500. (I own a 3313)

I read so many people say the 8800 isn't in proportion on the wrist, and the 8900 is a better choice, but from the shots I see on here of the 8800 they always look great.

Foo2rama · Sep 25, 2021

Modernism
Thanks for the replies. I think it’s the lug to lug that’s more the issue with the 2500 if you had that problem. It’s less of a problem for me than the 8500. The 2500 I’ve had since 2006 and still love it The female links on the 8800 are going to be a better fit for the below 7 inch wrist. Mine is just 7, but the bracelet on the 8500 has that stick out end links, on the biggest of wrists. It's very rare when you don't see that opening on many a wrist.

I never used to find the weight bothered me, and I never really noticed that much of a difference with the 8500 to the 2500 for the first few years of ownership, but now, I'm looking at it as being a bit chunkier than I ever did before. Am I getting old? That's very telling that you kept the 8500 over them.

Biggest criticism of the 8500 is the lume is a downgrade from the 2500. I think it's a 'blue' thing though. Green was/is stronger

Yes, that's my thinking, Sometimes it's making me think, do I chuck it in for the 39.5, the 40mm dive watch SHOULD be the ultimate size and that 39.5 is close enough. I remember when 2500 came out, thickness was a big topic of conversation. I reckon If I didn't have the 8500, I may think the 2500 was a thick watch.

That's the female end links thing again yes, It does make the world of difference but I have gone more away from bracelets on them now. I used to only wear bracelets but now it's rubber/NATO etc.

I read so many people say the 8800 isn't in proportion on the wrist, and the 8900 is a better choice, but from the shots I see on here of the 8800 they always look great.

idk in hand and on wrist for multiple people the 39.5 is a stunner. It’s tall, but it works. It’s by far the 2nd best po in my mind. I was skeptical and assumed it would seem off. But it didn’t.

PO 2500/8500 to 8800?

Modernism

tjs1295

OmegaFan503

tjs1295

foxtrot

Scooterino36

Foo2rama

Modernism

Foo2rama

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