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Really torn - 2531.80 or 2225.80

T
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Hi all.

Wanting to buy my first Omega but am really torn between the 2531.80 and 2225.80, mid 2000's models. I love the simplicity and overall look of the former, but the added thickness of the latter also appeals. The chrono is very similar looking to my Tag F1 Calibre 16, but the blue looks so, so good on the Omega and just seems to have a much bigger 'wow' factor.

Has anyone owned both of these who could share their opinions, especially in terms of weight? Wondering whether the chrono will be a bit too intrusive.

Thanks
 
ErichKeane
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I have owned both. I ended up keeping the 2225.80 and selling the 2531.80.

The 2531.80 is a FANTASTIC watch. It is a low profile, durable/tough feeling dive watch that you can wear just about any time. It is a WONDERFUL 3 hander, and you can't go wrong. The Bond attachment as well is neat too. It is a very classy yet sporty watch. IF I were to only have 1 watch, or limit myself to not many watches, this is by far the winner.

The 2225.80 is the one I kept. It is a CHUNKY boy. It is a really thick, large, etc watch. The chronograph is wonderful, and the color scheme of red + blue goes really well. It isn't so much of a 'wow' factor though, as a "I took this brick, and taped it to my wrist" kinda thing. It is by far my largest, and a bit over the top large for my smallish wrist, but still the one I kept. For me, I'm a bit of a chronograph addict, AND love the underwater chronograph aspect. THIS for me is a "out and about, typically swimming/doing work/etc" 'tough work' day type watch. It is too large to be classy, and too large to be on my wrist for anything but yard-work type stuff. BUT, I have quite a few watches, and the 'every day' and 'dressy' watches are already filled for me.

I'm not sure what you mean by 'intrusive' but the 2225.80 is a very big watch, that without big wrists, is going to get in the way a lot. The 2531.80 is a fantastic 'one watch' kinda collection.
 
T
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ErichKeane ErichKeane
I have owned both. I ended up keeping the 2225.80 and selling the 2531.80.

The 2531.80 is a FANTASTIC watch. It is a low profile, durable/tough feeling dive watch that you can wear just about any time. It is a WONDERFUL 3 hander, and you can't go wrong. The Bond attachment as well is neat too. It is a very classy yet sporty watch. IF I were to only have 1 watch, or limit myself to not many watches, this is by far the winner.

The 2225.80 is the one I kept. It is a CHUNKY boy. It is a really thick, large, etc watch. The chronograph is wonderful, and the color scheme of red + blue goes really well. It isn't so much of a 'wow' factor though, as a "I took this brick, and taped it to my wrist" kinda thing. It is by far my largest, and a bit over the top large for my smallish wrist, but still the one I kept. For me, I'm a bit of a chronograph addict, AND love the underwater chronograph aspect. THIS for me is a "out and about, typically swimming/doing work/etc" 'tough work' day type watch. It is too large to be classy, and too large to be on my wrist for anything but yard-work type stuff. BUT, I have quite a few watches, and the 'every day' and 'dressy' watches are already filled for me.

I'm not sure what you mean by 'intrusive' but the 2225.80 is a very big watch, that without big wrists, is going to get in the way a lot. The 2531.80 is a fantastic 'one watch' kinda collection.
Thanks, this was exactly what I was after!
 
ErichKeane
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Let us know what you come up with, and definitely take pictures when you get it! Be careful buying each, most examples of both are very well loved, so when they hit resellers they tend to be overpolished/etc, so keep an eye out for a good one (and feel free to post info about what you've found/ask opinions here)..
 
502 to right
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The 2225.80 is 17mm thick? Oh my. This is what James Bond should have used as a knuckle duster.
 
samarofficial777
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Haven't owned any vintage Omegas yet, but I'm also considering the 2531.80 as my next piece. It's such a gorgeous watch. I'm not a fan of busy dials, so getting the non-chrono version is a no-brainer.
 
ErichKeane
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502 to right 502 to right
The 2225.80 is 17mm thick? Oh my. This is what James Bond should have used as a knuckle duster.
Yeah, its a big watch. That said, it actually wears a little thinner than that? But not by much.
samarofficial777 samarofficial777
Haven't owned any vintage Omegas yet, but I'm also considering the 2531.80 as my next piece. It's such a gorgeous watch. I'm not a fan of busy dials, so getting the non-chrono version is a no-brainer.
Definitely a valid concern. The dial of the 2225.80 is VERY busy. As a Speedmaster addict I'm used to it, but the Seamaster is quite a bit more than that.

For me, the 2231.80 didn't 'vibe' with me for some reason, it just didn't get wrist time compared to what was in my collection at the time. The 2225.80 gets a good amount of wrist time as my 'bullet-proof/everything-proof' watch that I can wear for literally any event, where most people would be switching to a GShock.
 
Mute
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I had a 2531.80 on my wrist for 19 years, so I think you know my choice. Either would be a solid choice, but I'd say that unless you just like the looks or really need the chronograph function, the 2531.80 is a bit more versatile in being a GADA watch.
 
T
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So I pulled the trigger on the 2225.80 and I absolutely love it. The only thing I've noticed is when I unscrew the crown, it doesn't pop out like it does on my other watches, so it's a bit of a fight to get it out enough to change the time. I assume this isn't normal for this watch?

IMG_7826.webp
 
ErichKeane
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T Tucker77
So I pulled the trigger on the 2225.80 and I absolutely love it. The only thing I've noticed is when I unscrew the crown, it doesn't pop out like it does on my other watches, so it's a bit of a fight to get it out enough to change the time. I assume this isn't normal for this watch?

IMG_7826.webp
Congrats!

Not sure exactly what you are expecting out of the crown, but while it is non trivial to pull it out of the wind position after unscrewing, I'm not sure I would call it a bit of a fight?

Fortunately the spring mechanism for that is entirely on the crown, so it's easy enough to get replaced.
 
T
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Maybe a fight was stretching it, but I really have to dig underneath and apply force to release it, just something I’m not used to. Will send it for a service at some point anyway, main thing is it works and is a thing of beauty.
 
WatchClarity
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If it's still winding, keeping time and you're able to adjust the date/time - don't worry about it. These older watches are a bit like that. In a couple of years, send it into Omega for a full service and it'll come back as good as new. Congratulations!
 
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