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SMP 300m Rubber Strap - deployment or buckle?

  1. Michael Sinclair Mar 11, 2022

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    I've got the white dial Seamaster and looking to get the OEM rubber strap but not sure whether to go for the standard buckle version or splash out for the deployment version.

    For reference I was told the deployment version is £490 all in. How can I justify paying almost £500 for a rubber strap

    Anyone got experience of both versions?
     
  2. YY77 Mar 11, 2022

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    You'll regret not going for a deployant when you drop the watch whilst putting it on or taking it off.
     
    essentian likes this.
  3. CharlieM0uze Mar 11, 2022

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    Its easier to justify $20 for a Seamaster strap from Aliexpress, you can toss it in the bin if it doesnt work out and lossing $20 should not cause too many tears. It looks the same although may not feel the same but $20 vers $500... the real deal cannot be that much better.
     
  4. texasmade Mar 13, 2022

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    £500 also includes the clasp which can be used with other leather bands.
     
    Texans93, n_ko and Foo2rama like this.
  5. dtd Mar 13, 2022

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    I do not have experience with both, only the buckle version. Beside the price, my choice was based on that when I have the watch on a rubber strap, it will be used as a tool watch/beater. Meaning everything from playing with my kid, working on my bike, whatever water activity etc. And even though I have never accidentally opened an clasp/deployant (knock on wood etc!) I feel that a regular buckle is safer…

    Call me crazy :taunt: But that also saved me a couple of bucks, which I put towards a leather strap with a deployant for my speedy (still waiting though)
     
    Vader likes this.
  6. Leviathan Mar 13, 2022

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    Unpopular opinion here, but keep it on the SS bracelet. Looks and functions so much better that way.
     
    StudebakerHawk and Paedipod like this.
  7. scapa Mar 13, 2022

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    I keep trying to like deployants, but I find I rarely do. Just find a buckle more comfortable and straightforward to use, and the OEM strap with its fixed keeper is an elegant piece that was supremely comfortable for me.
     
    chnzwh and sah like this.
  8. CarloUK Mar 13, 2022

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    The deployment looks fantastic and is a step up. Buy it. My plan is to get it. Forget the cost just do it. The watch is 5k so why wouldn't you. To buy into omega and then put an ebay strap on is just dam sad.
    Im in my AD tomorrow to try the rubber out.
     
  9. Tom Bombadil Mar 13, 2022

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    When I bought my Diver 300M Nekton Edition, it came with the standard buckle. Later I bought the Omega deployant and related Omega strap from my AD. I've not regretted my decision once. Two reasons: speed and safety. The watch is my daily wearer. I can take the watch off/on in around 2 seconds and I never worry about dropping it. Especially going thru metal detectors at airports.
     
    Screen Shot 2022-03-13 at 9.02.58 PM.png Screen Shot 2022-03-13 at 9.05.29 PM.png
    Edited Mar 14, 2022
    foxtrot likes this.
  10. Butik Mar 14, 2022

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    Please note that the pin for the SMP300 pin-buckle is annoyingly curved, so closing or opening it is real pain in the a*s. It is very secure when you close it, but difficulty of closing / opening was an absolutel no-go for me.
    Deployant is surely much easier & safer to operate, but then you must be aware of 3 layers in the buckle area - 2 layers of rubber and the buckle itself.
     
    C7B30C2E-3A81-4D40-A77D-76525CFA3373.jpeg
    Tom Bombadil likes this.
  11. CharlieM0uze Mar 14, 2022

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    Edited Mar 14, 2022
  12. CarloUK Mar 14, 2022

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    Not for me. You could buy a 20 dollar watch on Alibaba and toss that in as well :)
     
    aphexafx likes this.
  13. CharlieM0uze Mar 14, 2022

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    Sure, but I think I'd rather burn $20 on AliExpress first to see how that works before dropping $250 on an EOM strap plus an additional $250 on an OEM deployant clasp. I also posted a note about Artem deployant clasps as that is a $68 option worth consideration.
     
  14. CarloUK Mar 14, 2022

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    Yes seen the Artem sail cloth ones and waiting for them to come in-stock on the deployment. Looks good. But first I want the omega one, as that will stay part of my watch for the rest of my life and beyond.
     
  15. Butik Mar 14, 2022

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    Guys, and if I may ask - deployant, not deployment.
     
  16. CharlieM0uze Mar 14, 2022

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    Don't you mean "déployante", either way EVERBODY knows what is being referred to whether one calls it déployante, deployant or deployment.
    Spellchecker likes to autocorrect the word to deployment which must be a nightmare for those with OCD.
     
  17. richiv Mar 14, 2022

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  18. Bobcat Sig Mar 16, 2022

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    Deployant FTW! After I picked up my white SMP300M, I found the SS bracelet to wash out the beautiful white dial and black bezel. That particular reference really ought to come with the Omega rubber strap on deployant. The watch pops in that configuration. And the Omega deployants are really quite delightful.

    In fact, I love that combo so much that I bought a similar setup for my Plant Ocean 8500.
     
    Tom Bombadil likes this.
  19. jets Mar 26, 2022

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    DeployANT for me
     
  20. arno Jul 21, 2022

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    The speedmaster one in the link above is also 36/37mm length, like the artem, vs 45mm for the OEM. It’s also half price on ABP website directly (bit not sure of they ship int´l).