Hi all

I have been eyeing a Seamaster 2231.50 (Titanium, black wave dial, sword hands) for a while but only seen either online abroad in the US (so would have to ship to the UK which makes the deal less straightforward). Or on Chrono24 at Chrono24 prices...

During a holiday this week I spotted one in a watch shop local to where we are staying in Leamington and am pondering whether to go for it. Asking price £2050

Having not bought used before I thought I’d run a few things by the OF community...

I did take some photos but on review these aren’t great. My photography skills weren’t up to much in the heat of the moment. Also the lighting in the shop was terrible! Maybe that’s part of their plan

IMO the condition isn’t fantastic but as I understand it Titanium is more susceptible to grease marks and scratches than steel. Is that understanding correct?

Any comments on condition of the watch itself?

In addition there is no box and papers. I plan to where this daily so it the fact they’re missing fairly irrelevant? I would prefer them to be included if I’m honest. It am aware this would effect the price.

From the pictures I took the movement serial isn’t visible. And neither is the serial on the case. Is this something I should verify?

Thanks in advance folks

 

Having just acquired a 2231.50 less than 2 weeks ago, I can offer the following observations:
- The bezel doesn't look like the right one to me --> the original 2231.50 bezel insert is brushed, with black numerals. The one in the photos looks like the bezel from the 2232.20, which had dark navy numerals and was a polished bezel insert. Not sure if that matters to you as I've seen these bezels swapped between the titanium models of that generation a fair bit.
- The overall condition of the watch is not great! The photo with the caseback off looks like there are a lot of nicks where the caseback meets the case, around that outer edge.
- With no papers, no box - you can get a much better condition one off eBay, Chrono24 or off the Japan auction sites for the same or slightly lower price.

The 2231.50 I acquired was 275000JPY which is roughly 2050GBP - same price, no papers, no box.

Here are screenshots of the photos from the original listing where I bought it:


And here's a shot of the actual watch on my wrist (but after a change to the non-AC dial):




TBH - I'm not sure of what the average price is for a 2231.50 over in the UK, but from the condition of that watch, I would say it's not worth it!

*EDIT* --> Yes, you should also verify whether there's still a serial # on the case! Mine was just barely visible after probably a complete repolishing in the past and I had to use a loupe to verify it.

 

As said above suggest you keep looking. There are a couple of options on the totanium SMP TI:

1- 2231.50 you are looking at (black dial)
2- 2231.80 blue dial
3- 2232.30 150th anniversary edition.

My 2232.30 is shown below ( has few mods including non AC dial and bezel insert, PO second sweep hand, 1610/930 bracelet and 2500D date wheel)

 

Thanks for the responses and feedback folks.

I have a preference for the black dial on the 2231.50. Although I do like the Grey on the anniversary edition but the engraving on the side of the case isn’t for me.

@keisuke_z your watch looks very clean Was it NOS?

Can either of you clarify what you mean by Non AC dial and bezel insert?

 

Price is much much too high. I purchased a NOS Ref. 2231.50 last year from Japan, including box and papers, for US$ 1650. I don't think prices have gone up much since then.

@keisuke_z is correct that the bezel on the OP watch is incorrect (should be brushed) and the case looks very beaten up.

I would suggest keep looking or negotiate a significant price reduction if you really want that particular watch. Best of luck!

 

Non AC refers to Non Americas Cup. There is a SMP model called Americas Cup (Reference 2533.50.00) which introduced a white gold insert (picture below). Omega also released a new SMP variation with the same WG bezel insert, but with a different dial (raised Omega symbol and metal framed hour markers, reference 2230.50.00) and that dial is widely called as the Non AC dial (very popular upgrade on regular SMP’s)

 

I agree - I actually like the grey sunburst-like dial on the anniversary edition, but I prefer the metal framed indices and the engraving on the anniversary edition isn't for me either.

Thanks! I don't think mine was NOS. It came with no papers or box, and an unknown service history. However, the original dial was perfect so it's possible the watch has just never been serviced / opened in its lifetime... or it'd gotten a refinishing done on it! My watchmaker didn't make any comments on the condition of the movement after swapping the dials for me, so I think I lucked out on its condition. Unfortunately my total cost of ownership is pretty high on this - $3400cad + $500cad~ in taxes and duties. Shipping watches into Canada from abroad hurts!

To answer your other question - the bezel insert is the piece of metal with the engraved numbers that's embedded into the rotating ring around the dial. On the original 2231.50, that ring has a brushed finish, with black-filled numbers. On the 2232.20 anniversary edition, it's mirror polished with dark navy/blue filled numbers. TBH - I'd also wonder whether that watch you found was indeed titanium - the case and bracelet look pretty shiny... but then again, I don't know how titanium "ages" with use either - whether it loses its brushed finish and becomes more polished / scratched over time.

Comparison (2231.50 left, your example right):


2232.20 (Anniversary edition) for comparison: You can see how the bezel insert (and polished sections of the bracelet) reflects the pure white of the lightbox that the watch is being photographed in, whereas the brushed portions of the watch don't.

 

I actually think the OP watch insert may be the steel one from the 2255. The reason the 2232 insert shown above looks different to that on the 2231 even though both watches are titanium is that on the 2232 it is polished solid 18K white gold. It is brushed titanium on the 2231.X0 (both flavours). It is possible this is what is fitted to the OP watch but the balance of probabilities suggests the cheaper steel polished one with the blue fill. Omega don't make it easy with the sword hand SMPs, they can be very confusing.

The OP watch is indeed a titanium model, you can see the bracelet end links are marked Ti, but it looks polished in places by wear.

In short, I wouldn't be buying the OP watch at any price. It is tired and as noted the insert has been swapped for something else from a blue or grey dial watch.

I know Leamington pretty well and can guess which jeweller it is is based on the pic. They are reliable but expensive.

 

I recognise that wrist!

 

Oh great points! I missed the TI-markings on the end links.

Perhaps it's the titanium bezel from the 2231.80? Looks like it had a polished insert (unsure of whether it was titanium as well, or steel).

**EDIT: Nope, this was an incorrect image! Removed to avoid misinformation.

 

Only problem there is that the 2231.80 bezel is also brushed, the watch in that pic has been polished to death, look at the lug edges. If you look at a few more 2231.80 images you'll see that they are usually brushed. I actually don't think the watch shown in that pic is titanium, it looks much more like the 2055.80 in steel. I think the jeweller labelled the pic wrong, or it is but has been ruined by bad refnishing.

 

Oh yea, you're totally right! I'm guessing it was labelled wrong - it does look too "bright" to be titanium. Editing my prev post to avoid any misinformation!

 

The original watch in my pics is definitely titanium as I held it and felt the contrast in weight vs a stainless. I’ve not had a titanium watch before and the titanium on the wrist would take a bit of getting used to.

Now it’s mentioned the blue on the bezel is so obvious but I totally missed it in the flesh.

I wondered if somebody might have an idea where i viewed it @padders

The ref 2230.50 is new to me. The white gold bezel and the metal hour markers are appealing. But the only way to have those in Titanium case is to mod? Have I understood that correctly?

Cheers for the input everyone

 

We cover these from time to time, the discussions usually end in a confusion of similar 4 digit numbers. Here is a list of some of the sword hands models with a brief description of which is which. The whole thread is worthy of a good read, there are some wonderful pics of lesser seen SMPs in there. Most covet the Bond or 2254 but some of us like to seek out the weirder and more wonderful models!

No AFAIK you can't have the raised numeral gold bezel with a titanium case unless you mod it but the LE 2232 does have the polished flat gold bezel. There are solid gold models too but those are rare.

https://omegaforums.net/threads/non-ac-dial-on-a-2254.83204/page-2#post-1466194

 

Good to know it's def titanium! It's so lightweight - after a brief adjustment period, I'm having a hard time going back to any of my regular SMPs!

The navy and black difference is very subtle in normal lighting conditions and it's probably only slightly more noticeable when comparing side-by-side!

Thanks for creating this thread! I've lurked on OF for a long time before joining a couple years ago, and it's rare that I'm able to contribute the tiny bit I know back to the forum

 

Hey, no worries. Thanks for the contribution it’s been really helpful thanks

 

I'm actually looking for a beater Ti Seamaster already got a prisitne one with blue dial but a no nonsense beater like this would be great . With no box and papers and the already mentiond polished to bits state as this is in I'm thinking the seller is asking around 50% too much!

 

@kaapstadflaneur Is it common to be able to find these NOS? I’ve kept my eye out for a while and have never found a new one (just in the last three years or so). Would definitely snag a new one if I ever could.

 

In my search for a 2231 this past year I don’t think I came across any NOS online - even when searching the Japanese auction sites. You might luck out with an actual store tho.

 

Great choice. I swear my SM Pro titanium is the most comfortable daily wearer in my collection.

Mine has electric blue dial (2255.80?) a perfect combination IMO, a bit of bling to greyish understated titanium color.
Buying it second hand, it is a no worry beater for any occasion. Fit for formal meeting as well as for swimming at beach.

I would love to swap to AC bezel if there is opportunity.