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Speedmaster Dark Side of The Moon - Hands on, no chipping

karalhoin
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Caller Caller
I've had mine for 2-years now and still looks as new. [...] I live in Thailand and think the original strap is perfect for the conditions, it's never caused me any problems.

Thanks for sharing. I think your feedback is very interesting as you've had the watch for two years. 馃憤

I've noticed that most negative remarks seem to come from people who have heard about ceramic "being easy to shatter" and repeat it as fact without having actually ever even touched a ZrO2 watch... And also those who work professionally in the field but find the material harder to work with compared with stainless steel, and therefore understandably find that extra need for care/tools/practice an inconvenience.

In both cases, it is probably just a matter of getting adjusted to the present; Taking into account how Omega keeps pumping out these things like M&Ms, in all sorts of colors and flavors, it seems to me that they're not falling apart easily with normal regular use and proper maintenance work. But that's just my impression...I don't work for the Swatch group.

Considering how much these sold (as the first batch is approaching the end of the 4 year warranty) the lack of a higher number of complaints from actual users is one of the reasons why I got one, so feel free to tell us more about those two years of use, especially the negatives.馃嵖

Scratches, damage, including on the strap (which I thought could be vulnerable to moisture on the soft leather inside but seems to be quite resistant)... All that feedback from long time users like you is really useful. 馃憤

That said, I can tell you that the titanium+ceramic foldover clasp introduced with the 2015 model is great, so go for it. 馃榿 (seems the same as the one in the new Planet Oceans btw)

C360_2016-06-22-21-42-51-866.jpg
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O
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These didn't hit the market until June- July 2014. So early adapters are coming up on 2 years. Production capacity is limited as it is with most new items. This is an issue that is often overlooked. People somehow have the impression that Omega sells tens of thousands of watches each year...I don't think that is accurate no matter the line. It's especially not accurate with ceramics.
 
karalhoin
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O OmegaCard
These didn't hit the market until June- July 2014. So early adapters are coming up on 2 years. Production capacity is limited as it is with most new items.

No doubt. Only Omega and probably ADs have good metrics of how many are sold and how fast, but no matter what those numbers are, I'd expect the failure rate to be very acceptable considering what we've seen in forums.

I spent a lot of time (1 year from first interest to debit) looking for reports of problems with these models and kept going in circles, finding the same 3 or 4 photos/reports of cracked cases and many variations of mentions to those posts. In at least two, the posters/owners didn't even explain how it happened.

Not saying the product has six sigma reliability, since I don't have real data, but it appears that the worries I read about here and there are nothing more than propagation of the same fuzzy references.
 
G
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For owners out there, is anyone comfortable wearing the watch in the shower or in a pool? I have avoided it so far with my grey side (and probably will continue to avoid it)
 
karalhoin
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G guelerct
For owners out there, is anyone comfortable wearing the watch in the shower or in a pool? I have avoided it so far with my grey side (and probably will continue to avoid it)

I'm not but it should do fine, considering the 50m rating. Unless it has been opened/not properly maintained.

It should actually do fine for a surfer. 馃榿
Sand won't scratch the case/bezel, corrosion is also not a problem and UV fade won't be an issue to the dial. Yes even less than with SS models.

In theory that is.

The strap however, no idea. Can't match steel but maybe it outlasts full rubber straps that tend to dry with the sun and lose flexibility/fracture... Then again, maybe not.

Would be interesting to hear from early adopters who have been using them in tough conditions. 馃槙
 
O
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karalhoin karalhoin
No doubt. Only Omega and probably ADs have good metrics of how many are sold and how fast, but no matter what those numbers are, I'd expect the failure rate to be very acceptable considering what we've seen in forums.
.

The first run was limited to 3000 pieces. (You can still buy the original batch new.) Part of the marketing was how painstakingly difficult it was to produce compared to SS, thus the big price increase. I doubt they increased capacity much FWIW. Another good indicator for sales is the grey market. They won't get rid of it because they need it to move slower selling watches. That's the reason for big discounts. We are talking about luxury goods after all.
 
karalhoin
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O OmegaCard
The first run was limited to 3000 pieces. (You can still buy the original batch new.) Part of the marketing was how painstakingly difficult it was to produce compared to SS, thus the big price increase

Surprising that they didn't sell a higher sense of scarcity back then. What I remember most from the DSOTM launch marketing was "how innovative it is", not "how limited production it is".
 
ktc
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I'm guessing the most popular are, in order: dark side, grey side, pitch black, others.

It would be interesting to see annual sales for these... Wonder if it was enough to affect their new ceramic seamaster direction...
 
O
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It was sold to me as an exclusive Speedmaster. Low production was kind of a given (price, material, innovation, production process). Only on the boards did the cool stuff get overshadowed by all the negativity. I'm kind of surprised by how many of these people think are out there. It's my understanding these watches can take years to sell in some circumstances.

BTW, Not a scratch.
Edited:
 
R
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Caller Caller
I've had mine for 2-years now and still looks as new. I intend getting a clasp to replace my buckle and was intending to add the leather strap from one of the other subsequent models, but have ditched that idea now, I feel the original strap is just perfect. I was interested in the comment above about changing the strap because of being in a hot and humid climate. I am too, I live in Thailand and think the original strap is perfect for the conditions, it's never caused me any problems.
I am going to wear my DSOTM with this rubber combo for coming September Thailand trip again 馃榾.. The DSOTM is so understated that I have no problem walking midnight in bangkok street..

20160307_210145-2_mh1457370342255_zpswcpdahtf.jpg

Currently still with this denim Nato..

20160618_171055_mh1466241148668_zps71uorv3j.jpg
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karalhoin
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R Rahkshi007
I am going to wear my DSOTM with this rubber combo for coming September Thailand trip again 馃榾.. The DSOTM is so understated that I have no problem walking midnight in bangkok street..
Currently still with this denim Nato..

I really like your Solar Impulse rubber strap (except for saying Solar Impulse and not just Omega, hehe - probably the reason why I'm still on the fence regarding buying it or not.)

Definitely not a fan of NATO straps in general. Just a preference, they don't work out for me. Plus I like having the 9300 movement easily visible (even with that huge rotor covering the beauty - a drawback of automatics).

Any other good rubber options anyone recommends? (now that the summer is coming)
 
ktc
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R Rahkshi007
I am going to wear my DSOTM with this rubber combo for coming September Thailand trip again 馃榾.

20160307_210145-2_mh1457370342255_zpswcpdahtf.jpg

So this set-up is now pretty waterproof? I've been making sure the cordura/leather strap does not get wet, but it seems like this something that can even go to the beach, into light water, etc.

Wonder if the titanium clasp does okay with seawater...
 
karalhoin
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ktc ktc
So this set-up is now pretty waterproof? I've been making sure the cordura/leather strap does not get wet, but it seems like this something that can even go to the beach, into light water, etc.
Wonder if the titanium clasp does okay with seawater...

The leather on the interior gets a bit protected by the cordura, but it will still get wet. Like any leather piece, it won't benefit from water, but I don't think it will fall apart any faster than other quality leather exposed to the elements.

As for the clasp and seawater... well, titanium has excellent resistance to many highly corrosive environments, a wide range of acids, alkalis, natural waters and industrial chemicals. Particularly oxidizing and chloride-containing. The ceramic part of the clasp also has higher resistance to these environments than steel (Steel corrodes, rusts and stains)

So in short, the Ti+ZrO2 foldover clasp should be the least of your worries, at least in theory.

Bonus: Titanium withstands high heat without any reduction of weight, even carbon steel cannot bear higher degrees of heat. Since ceramic also does better with heat you can just throw your DSOTM into the tail pipe of your car with no issues at all if you need to dry it up quickly.

[EDIT] Do NOT throw it into your car's tailpipe. It might make the 9300 run a bit too fast. 馃榿

ktc ktc
https://omegaforums.net/threads/oem-omega-deploy-straps-leather-alligator-cordura-rubber.41864/
The last one from PO looks pretty neat! Should go well on the DSOTM....

I agree, but it is 22m. I don't think it will work out with the DSOTM (21mm) but am not sure.
Edited:
 
karalhoin
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I emailed a boutique and asked which black rubber straps would work for the DSOTM model .007, they replied suggesting the "Omega Seamaster / Aqua Terra 21mm Rubber Strap 98000208".

This is the photo they sent me:
index.jpg


Retail price here is 230 Eur, including VAT tax and shipping. That's $255 USD

I also like the Solar Impulse one, but am not sure about having it branded "SOLAR IMPULSE" on the side as it does not really match the model.
 
R
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karalhoin karalhoin
I emailed a boutique and asked which black rubber straps would work for the DSOTM model .007, they replied suggesting the "Omega Seamaster / Aqua Terra 21mm Rubber Strap 98000208".

This is the photo they sent me:
index.jpg


Retail price here is 230 Eur, including VAT tax and shipping. That's $255 USD

I also like the Solar Impulse one, but am not sure about having it branded "SOLAR IMPULSE" on the side as it does not really match the model.

I did considered this strap last time... the only drawback for me is the cream / white color inner side of the strap which is quite hard to maintain for me..
 
davy26
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R Rahkshi007
I did considered this strap last time... the only drawback for me is the cream / white color inner side of the strap which is quite hard to maintain for me..
I agree - I wonder why makers opt to do inner faces like that as they are bound to quickly become discoloured even with light and 'careful' wearing.
 
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