Deciding between these two watches to make a two watch collection for now, with my Blue 41mm Aqua Terra (to note, I have the blue rubber and metal OEM, but wear exclusively the rubber strap).

keeping budget below 2.5K...Would love some thoughts on these two and which would make more sense.

 

My experience is that a chronograph is just wasted on nearly everyone, so I traded mine away, and like a dipshit, I bought another, which I now regret.

Very few people need a stopwatch on their wrists. If you have need for one, then buy a quartz version for $10 and call it done. They cost more to service and cost more to repair if they break.

So I say, get the Seamaster.

 

Between those two I'd get the Seamaster, no question.

Imo the 2531.80 is the last great, iconic, original watch released by Omega and is now a modern classic, being the OG of the modern Seamaster line.

 

Oh, and I personally like the 2254.50.00.

 

Speedmaster. I’m prejudiced though because I have a white dial version.

 

Yeah I searched for these two. A bit more expensive and a little less of them out there. Will definitely keep on the radar though!

 

Bump

 

I own a Speedy and in maybe 25 years, have never had a need for the chrono. I even time exposures (I'm a photographer) but usually use my iphone for that... the older I get, the more I prefer smaller three-handers...

 

Just be careful man - it was a 2531.80 Seamaster that got me hooked on watches for life!

 

Ha! It’s such a gorgeous watch.

I have added an Oris Aquis into the competition. Looks though like the Seamaster is leading the charge!

 

+1 For the 2531.80
The servicing costs for the reduced will be pretty crazy, and the aesthetics of the Seamaster are just better, imo.

 

I've owned three previous generation 300Ms and think they are fantastic. I'm not quite sold yet on the new ones, mainly because I just think the bezel is a bit too stark. Definitely not a problem for a dive watch, but I prefer the understated look of the older aluminum bezel 300Ms.

 

I agree.

Before I got my AT, I was set on the new SMP from looking at pictures. I went into an AD one day and tried one on and just wasn’t crazy about it between aesthetics and size. I thought it looked way better in pics. Nothing against the watch it’s obviously great but just didn’t speak to me like the AT did.

 

Chalk me up as a vote for the Reduced. If you have smaller wrists, I think the Reduced looks more proportional.
But you can't go wrong with either choice.

Perhaps if you are going to an independent watchmaker. But Omega charges the same $750 USD to service a Reduced as they do for a Professional.