SMP Great White GMT - A few observations

140dave · Apr 17, 2020

Oh, this thread may cost me a couple bucks. I thought I had my sword hand GMT collection finished, have GW and normal 50th versions, but didn’t even know that 2634.80.93 existed! Electric blue GMT? Even with that gold I still think I may have to try to find one tho it seems a bit scarce. Not to hijack this thread, sorry Padders, but thanks for showing the catalog.

tikkathree · Apr 17, 2020

Excellent, thank you. Tomorrow, whatever day it is, there'll be time in lockdown, get the various Seamaster watches and the staking tool together, take my time, oh crikey there's plenty of that.

Archer
What you are trying to do is make these two small indents grip better on the inside of the other part:

Rather than gouge up the clasp with a screwdriver, I prefer to use a punch and spread those two small tabs:

I use my staking set for this, but if you have any kind of small punch it will do the job just fine - you won;t need to spread it much top increase the tension to keep it closed.

Cheers, Al

padders · Apr 17, 2020

140dave
Oh, this thread may cost me a couple bucks. I thought I had my sword hand GMT collection finished, have GW and normal 50th versions, but didn’t even know that 2634.80.93 existed! Electric blue GMT? Even with that gold I still think I may have to try to find one tho it seems a bit scarce. Not to hijack this thread, sorry Padders, but thanks for showing the catalog.

No need for apologies at all, you have a great point. I too was unaware of the gold GMT.

I am a little embarrassed to admit that I have in fact let go the Great White shown in the first post. I loved the look but never really wore it, it was in perfect condition and the brushed finish meant that I ran scared from door frames.

I am finally near SMP nirvana. I now have a 2230.50 (white gold bezel non-AC), 2231.50 (black dial titanium) and finally 2255.80 (electric blue polished bezel). This journey has taken around 20 years so far.

I hope this doesn't make the points made in my first point less relevant. Excepting the chrono variants, which I consider too big for my wrist, I see something to admire, love even in every single SMP variant and indeed have tried most of them. The wisdom of crowds told me I should try the 2254 since that is a forum favourite and I did so. Twice, but I failed to bond with it so it got moved on twice. I must be fickle!

mr_smith · Apr 17, 2020

padders
The wisdom of crowds told me I should try the 2254 since that is a forum favourite and I did so. Twice, but I failed to bond with it so it got moved on twice. I must be fickle!

Go for three times? 😀

Edited: Shortened the response.

Norfolk · May 1, 2020

I have just completed the entries for the 50th, Great White and gold GMT models on Chronopedia, based on my ownership and limited knowledge of two of them - never even seen a gold one (but would LOVE one!}. Would be great if someone here could check the entries for errors please or enter additional information. Really appreciate feedback...
https://chronopedia.club/Omega_Seamaster_GMT_50th_Anniversary

padders · May 1, 2020

It is maybe worth noting that the fully brushed Speedy style bracet is the 1611/931, the Bond style wasn't fitted. I can't personally confirm the number you quote for the Bond style GMT bracelet is correct, otherwise that page looks great!

EDIT, just clicked the links and noted that you have correctly named the GW bracelet, sorry!

Norfolk · May 2, 2020

thanks for checking - appreciate it....if anyone has a favorite model they know a lot about then please feel free to out the info on Chronopedia. I picked those two GMts and the pre-Bond Sm200 as they are ones I own and have done some research but there is always room for improvement....and there is a LONG way to go with this project!

Tet · Sep 2, 2020

Gave my 2538 the full Omega treatment(including new bezel assembly) and whilst at it added the original bracelet. As I plan to keep the watch I thought might aswell get these things done while all the parts are still available. Came back last week and looking near perfect.

But is that really a sensible investment spending all that I hear you cry!?! No, but hey I'm happy with it.

Something interesting, from my experience Omega always replace the handset of modern Omega during service, however they didn't with this one. Could it be some parts for this model are becoming obsolete I wonder and hence why they weren't replaced?

WRATH OF KANE · Sep 2, 2020

Tet
What was the initial release year for these anyway? I thought it was early naughties but the above suggests earlier.

Would be interested to know.

Well... it was a long time ago, when I was too busy tokeep track of such things.

Tet · Sep 2, 2020

I did a custom google search a little while ago out of curiosity and the earliest entry I could find for the 2538.20.00 was a sales listing from late(I think it was October) 2000, and that was for a preowned one. So it seems the conclusion of 2001 was at least slightly out.

I guess it must have either released early/mid 2000, or maybe even late 90's. Anyone have a 1999 catalogue to see if it's in there?

Jfdeasy9608 · Oct 5, 2020

Been looking to aquire a GW for quite some time. They are becoming quite rare and the ones available command a premium price. I'm still hopeful that one will come along.

Jfdeasy9608 · Nov 8, 2020

All it takes is a little patience. My new (to me) GW. I changed the bracelet until a get a couple of links. It a wee bit small.

SpikiSpikester · Nov 9, 2020

Tet
Something interesting, from my experience Omega always replace the handset of modern Omega during service, however they didn't with this one. Could it be some parts for this model are becoming obsolete I wonder and hence why they weren't replaced?

They have a known issue where the hands are tricky to line up properly on the pinion, so sometimes they stick a bit. Had that happen to me after an Omega service some years ago. Maybe it's to do with that - but that's just a random guess !

SpikiSpikester · Nov 9, 2020

Tet
I did a custom google search a little while ago out of curiosity and the earliest entry I could find for the 2538.20.00 was a sales listing from late(I think it was October) 2000, and that was for a preowned one. So it seems the conclusion of 2001 was at least slightly out.

I guess it must have either released early/mid 2000, or maybe even late 90's. Anyone have a 1999 catalogue to see if it's in there?

1998

Archer · Nov 9, 2020

Tet
Something interesting, from my experience Omega always replace the handset of modern Omega during service, however they didn't with this one. Could it be some parts for this model are becoming obsolete I wonder and hence why they weren't replaced?

The hands are still available.

SpikiSpikester
They have a known issue where the hands are tricky to line up properly on the pinion, so sometimes they stick a bit. Had that happen to me after an Omega service some years ago. Maybe it's to do with that - but that's just a random guess !

Hands on this watch are no more difficult to install and line up than on any other watch. The only added complication (if one could call it that) is that there are 4 hands instead of 3, so it takes an extra 30 seconds to install the hands.

padders · Nov 9, 2020

SpikiSpikester
1998

The black dial GMT was indeed a 1998 release hence the 50th Anni caseback. I am fairly certain that the white dial came later, even if not as later as I first thought. Note the GW caseback does not reference the 50th SM anniversary

Tet · Nov 25, 2020

padders
The black dial GMT was indeed a 1998 release hence the 50th Anni caseback. I am fairly certain that the white dial came later, even if not as later as I first thought. Note the GW caseback does not reference the 50th SM anniversary

Yeah it was definitely released later than the black dial. I think we can establish either late 1999 or early 2000. You'd think these things would be easy to find out.

alam · Nov 25, 2020

Tet
..Gave my 2538 the full Omega treatment (including new bezel assembly) and whilst at it added the original bracelet...Came back last week and looking near perfect...

Looks great! IMO this is another model that shows best in its original/OEM bracelet configuration. Enjoy!

Tet · Nov 25, 2020

alam
Looks great! IMO this is another model that shows best in its original/OEM bracelet configuration. Enjoy!

Thanks, yes the watch looks great on the original bracelet and happy I bought it as it looks really smart. My favourite configuration is still the Omega shark mesh though(what I'm wearing it on again now), so comfortable and while it doesn't photograph as well it looks superb IMO and definitely makes the watch wear a little smaller on the wrist.

Tet · Mar 10, 2022

Why not bring this thread back to life by adding a couple more pics, I actually bought this strap last year and still switch between status and bracelets, looks great on everything imo. I do like the contrast with the black strap, kind of highlights the black details of the dial/ hands and bezel somehow.

This is the original Omega rubber, I think it was for the chrono model but due to the thicker case it fits the Great White perfectly (I've seen people say it's slightly loose against the back of the 2254).

Can't remember strap ref but happy to look it up it anyone wants to know.

SMP Great White GMT - A few observations

140dave

tikkathree

padders

mr_smith

Norfolk

padders

Norfolk

Tet

WRATH OF KANE

Tet

Jfdeasy9608

Jfdeasy9608

SpikiSpikester

SpikiSpikester

Archer

padders

Tet

alam

Tet

Tet

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