My first post, so please be gentle with me I have decided to get an Omega Seamaster to use as my daily watch. And for several weeks I have been bouncing back between the 2254 and the current SMPc model - blue dial. I have been offered a 2254 from 2002 and a lovely preowned 212.30 from 2013. Both imo are great looking watches and fit my wrist nicely. Buying both is not an option, as I don't tend to buy two of the same style watches. Here's what I think, but please forgive my amateurish approach and lack of knowledge: 2254 Pros Nice looking dial Love the sword hands Beautifully slim case Great lume ETA movement - so more flexibility when it comes to be repaired. Cons Older watch and movement 212.30 Pros Co-Axial movement Ceramic bezel nice looking dial Current model, made from the latest designs and technology Cons Sits slightly higher on the wrist The gloss finish on the dial Colour combination of the date There are most likely to be a few other pros and cons for either watch which I don't know about. This would be my only dive watch and its a possibility that at some point, I would fit it onto a rubber strap. I would very much appreciate the thoughts and advice from members on this forum. Who I have no doubt will have a far greater knowledge than I. Many thanks for your input.
Thanks to for pointing out, that I hadn't included the complete reference number. I have amended the title. Yes its the newer SMPc - blue dial.
If you like the blue dial have you considered the 2255.80,like the 2254 but with an amazing blue dial,everyone who see mine comments on the dial,you need to see one in the flesh to appreciate it fully though.
I am biased as I own a 2254 but honestly, I think Omega missed the boat in not making it the "face of the Seamaster". It's a great watch, Super legible, accurate, an easy & inexpensive to service reliable ETA movement, sword hands, good lume. I would just get it on the "Speedmaster style" bracelet instead of the Bond bracelet but that's just personal preference.
The 2254.50 is the closest think to the perfect all around Dive watch. I LOVE the thinnest of the case, the matte wave dial, the amazing visibility (lume as well) of the hands and indices. If you're ok with one without box and papers, I will be selling mine simply because I want to slim down the herd.
I've owned the SMPc, and ended up "downgrading" to the 2531.80 wave dial. I found the exterior AR coating to be a microscratch magnet, and it just didn't have the same charm as the older model. The CoAxial 2500 is robust and accurate, but I think the ETA calibers are just solid. My vote is the 2254. I think it is a true modern classic, while the SMPc is an awkward evolutionary step in Omega's quest to go high end.
2254. You will wish you had got it if you go a different route. Mine has been in my collection for over 10 years. No regrets.
+1 for the 2255.80 Then again, you pretty much can't go wrong with the wave dial, sword hands 22xx.xx range. Even the quartz versions are cool.
Now, if we summarize your own pros and cons (equal weight), then looks like the 2254 ranks better according to your ratings.. 2254: Pros: 5 Cons: 1 212.30: Pros: 4 Cons: 3 and here's is this to bring my own bias to the equation.. https://omegaforums.net/threads/smp-2254-50.2050/
Note that although the Cal. 1120 is based on an ETA 2892, many parts of the movement are different enough from the 2892 that they can't be used in place of 1120 parts. So although it's true that you are more likely to find the correct parts for it on the open market than you are with the co-axial models, it's probably not as "ETA-ish" as many think it is. Cheers, Al
Thank you so much for all your replies. The 2254 is a definitely winner. I need to find out how to put photos onto the forum. Ah just found out
In all 3 threads that I have run over the different forums. The 2254 has shown up to be a clear winner. That said there is still something about the newer ceramic version that I like. And because I don't want to dismiss it so quickly but instead have a longer period of time with both. And see if one stands out as the clear winner, I am going to try and hold onto both and do more detailed comparison. Don't believe that I have ever had two similar watches in my collection at the sometime!