Pre-Ceramic SMP Buying Advice

Let me know if this belongs in the vintage forum, but I'm looking for some advice on buying a pre-ceramic SMP.

I have one luxury watch - a Rolex Datejust 41 owner, the rhodium dial version with a smooth bezel and oyster bracelet. I like it, but with the sunburst dial and polish/flash of the watch, which feels a bit too flashy and shiny/dressy for me at times especially with a lot of my business casual outfits, I've gained a desire to move back to watches with a pre-2000s/2010s aesthetic (i.e., pre-ceramic subs, Datejust 16234, and pre-ceramic Bond SMPs).

Long story short, I'm looking to buy a Bond Omega Seamaster in the form that is substantially the same as what was worn in the Brosnan Era / Casino Royale. The two models that have popped up based on a day of looking are the 2220.80 and the 2531.80. I understand the latter is the older, "OG" mechanical version and the former is a slightly updated version that was used on Casino Royale.

Of these two variants, is one much better than the other? I think the Casino Royale version is about $1k more than the Tomorrow Never Dies 2531.80.

Any buying tips / alternative pre-ceramic models that are superior would be greatly appreciated. I'm considering buying from Hodinkee or another one of the large websites like C&C or WatchBox, and I've never bought a used watch so I'm a bit concerned about using Chrono24, but any advice would be appreciated.

I would choose the Casino Royale version. It seems like a nicer blue color.

I agree. Better blue color overall.

If you want some tritium - go for the early 2531.80 (all 2220.80's have Supeluminova), other than that those two are pretty similar watches which differ in;
- hands length (longer at 2220.80),
- different shades of blue, different dials,
- a case back (more detailed but taller at 2220.80),
- due to a slightly taller bezel - 2220.80 in overall is slightly taller than 2531.80
- 1120 cal. vs 2500 cal. very late 2220.80's even have had 2500D hence a different date font.

If you will service them at Omega - a standard service fee is the same for mechanical non-chronograph calibres.
Everything else is subjective and only you can tell which watch is superior. I chose 2220.80 due to the longer hands and the red Seamaster which makes the dial more vivid.

Btw, I am poor in JB franchise, but wasn't a quartz 2541.80 featured in Tomorrow Never Dies?

I agree. The longer handset looks much better.