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Recommendations: SMP 300M Diver, buy as OEM bracelet, or strap?

fredo_omega
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Hi all,
I love love love the SMP 300M diver version with black bezel white dial, I can't quite call it my grail watch but it would certainly be 2nd or 3rd at the least (Batgirl and Kermit, sigh...) I will be buying this watch from a well-known online grey Monday or Tuesday at the latest. That said, my quandary:
Should I buy the ref num for OEM steel bracelet, or the OEM black rubber strap? Here's the thing--I don't think I want either. Sure wish you could buy just the head....OEM bracelet, I tried it on in the Omega boutique, the clasp was a ginormous joke on my tiny 6.5" wrist, total non-starter. The OEM black rubber is fine, nice even, but again the large clasp and I already know I want white (or blue) rubber on that Great White, not black. So what should I choose?
 
gbesq
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If you're sure that you're not going to want either, buy the watch with the one that you can sell most easily. As to which one that is, your guess is as good as mine.
 
dsio
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The bracelet is way better to buy imo and easier to sell
 
fredo_omega
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gbesq gbesq
If you're sure that you're not going to want either, buy the watch with the one that you can sell most easily. As to which one that is, your guess is as good as mine.
You inferred my dilemma exactly, LOL...I'm not kidding, that head is the freaking bomb, but yeah, paying for either bracelet or strap option sure is a waste of dough to me, sucks but oh well.
 
gbesq
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The generally followed advice is to buy with the bracelet. dsio is correct that it will be easier to sell.
 
fredo_omega
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dsio dsio
The bracelet is way better to buy imo and easier to sell

Who would be interested in such an aftermarket sale? Someone that bought the strap ref num and decides they want the bracelet? I guess I could speculate on such an outcome, but I'm not an arbitrageuer in wrist watches, not sure that's an area I should step into...
 
dsio
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fredo_omega fredo_omega
Who would be interested in such an aftermarket sale? Someone that bought the strap ref num and decides they want the bracelet? I guess I could speculate on such an outcome, but I'm not an arbitrageuer in wrist watches, not sure that's an area I should step into...
Easier to sell the complete watch in the future if you ever intend to, and also some people do buy or receive a strap version used and want it as strap versions often sell a fair bit under market
 
fredo_omega
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NIB price difference from the Omega website bracelet to strap is $300. Online grey price difference between the two options is $210. I don't obsess over $100 differences in things like this, but being mechanical about it, looks like NIB strap is the better choice for undecideds like me I think?
 
Annapolis
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FWIW, I’d buy the strap (since that seems to be option you’d be more likely to use) and then just store it. You might be glad to have it someday. And if you go to sell the watch (it happens!) you’ll be glad to have it, and might even be able to advertise it as unworn, which will definitely be a plus to buyers.
 
Fish70
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fredo_omega fredo_omega
NIB price difference from the Omega website bracelet to strap is $300. Online grey price difference between the two options is $210. I don't obsess over $100 differences in things like this, but being mechanical about it, looks like NIB strap is the better choice for undecideds like me I think?

It's not a $100 difference if you decide you just have to own the bracelet later. It will be closer to $600
 
M
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Is it common to get discount off retail for Omega's still? I was going to buy one on the bracelet and ask for them to chuck in the rubber too.
 
Annapolis
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You’ll get a free strap if you choose the bracelet and the clasp fails on you. (Mine did. Twice.) More likely, you can get a discount on the watch (like they’ll cover the sales tax—nothing enormous), but a free strap might be a longshot.
 
M
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Annapolis Annapolis
You’ll get a free strap if you choose the bracelet and the clasp fails on you. (Mine did. Twice.) More likely, you can get a discount on the watch (like they’ll cover the sales tax—nothing enormous), but a free strap might be a longshot.

Rubber costs about £250 here in the UK, maybe nowadays that's a push for Omega. A few years ago you could get seamasters in the AD sales for 10-15% off.
 
Donn Chambers
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Honestly, if you don’t like that watch on the bracelet, I’d buy another watch. That is one of the few watches that I think belongs only on the OEM bracelet, like a Sub on an oyster. It’s just a unique style. Otherwise, it’s just a white-dialed diver on a strap.

But, as always, just my opinion. But perhaps something to consider.
 
M
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I kinda hate the bracelet tbh, but I've heard it is alot better once fitted and everything for your wrist. I'd like the deployant rubber to go with it, love the green one.

Donn Chambers Donn Chambers
Honestly, if you don’t like that watch on the bracelet, I’d buy another watch. That is one of the few watches that I think belongs only on the OEM bracelet, like a Sub on an oyster. It’s just a unique style. Otherwise, it’s just a white-dialed diver on a strap.

But, as always, just my opinion. But perhaps something to consider.
 
fredo_omega
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Donn Chambers Donn Chambers
Honestly, if you don’t like that watch on the bracelet, I’d buy another watch. That is one of the few watches that I think belongs only on the OEM bracelet, like a Sub on an oyster. It’s just a unique style. Otherwise, it’s just a white-dialed diver on a strap.

But, as always, just my opinion. But perhaps something to consider.

What I would like--no, love--is to get the current Aqua Terra bracelet on this SMP. I've seen pics here and elsewhere that show people with Moonwatch or AT bracelets put on SMPs and Railmasters, I love that look. No idea how they work with the end links to make it all work.

As for Sub on an oyster, agreed, but tbh I like the newer Tudors just as much for a similar look and less than half the price. No, they're not Rolex, but they're nice watches, I like them. I was trying to decide between the SMP, Superocean (Breitling) and the BB58 or Pelagos when choosing this diver, all are in the same price range. The SMP won out for me because I'm totally into the black/white combo, and of course, Omega quality.
 
josiahg52
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I got a green one with a bracelet at a tick over 20% off. AD was willing to additionally throw in the rubber strap with buckle - I don't think the deployant - free of charge but I dislike straps and declined.

I really like the bracelet and wore it for a few months then found a deal on a used US 1450 and that is also a great combo. I put it back on the OE bracelet before my vacation and was reminded the bracelet is so awesome. It really looks the best on the OE bracelet.

Get the bracelet, work the deal for the strap and a buckle if you want it and sell the bracelet if you really don't like it. You could sell it at a nice OF member discount off retail and still be ahead. With the bracelet sale you can get something custom made even. If you only get the bracelet and no strap, you'll be left with a head only and your pick of any strap you desire.
 
M
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20% seems very good, I'll see if I can get close to that. Will definitely get both bracelet and rubber, maybe it will grow on me. Only worry is they release an update next year for the seamasters and a tapered bracelet appears on them.
 
DougPhx
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fredo_omega fredo_omega
Hi all,
I love love love the SMP 300M diver version with black bezel white dial, I can't quite call it my grail watch but it would certainly be 2nd or 3rd at the least (Batgirl and Kermit, sigh...) I will be buying this watch from a well-known online grey Monday or Tuesday at the latest. That said, my quandary:
Should I buy the ref num for OEM steel bracelet, or the OEM black rubber strap? Here's the thing--I don't think I want either. Sure wish you could buy just the head....OEM bracelet, I tried it on in the Omega boutique, the clasp was a ginormous joke on my tiny 6.5" wrist, total non-starter. The OEM black rubber is fine, nice even, but again the large clasp and I already know I want white (or blue) rubber on that Great White, not black. So what should I choose?
I bought on bracelet then purchased the rubber strap later. I wear the bracket 90% of the time. For me a lot of the common gripes I read about the bracelet before purchase turned out to be nothing burgers. Lack of taper is zero issue for me, it’s extremely comfortable and balanced very well with the watch head. The best feature I enjoy though is the massive range of micro adjust with no tools required. Push and slide. I am totally spoiled by it and wish all my bracelets had this feature.
 
McKnife
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IMHO, you should buy on bracelet and try to get a deal on the strap, they might even throw it in for free.

My SMP is probably never gonna be on the market, crossing fingers nothing bad ever happens that I NEED to sell it, but if someday in the future I need to sell it, I think from a buyer standpoint it's gonna be way more attractive because don't forget: a rubber bracelet in 10 years, if worn often enough, might not look as good as metal might + a full set usually is on bracelet.

Anyway, that's my 2 cents.

You do you! 😀
 
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