There is an orange ceramic bezel on the platinum planet ocean. The problem is it’s supposedly very expensive to make orange ceramic at a level needed. It’s a piece that everyone forgets about... well the price might be a reason.
https://www.omegawatches.com/en-us/...00m-omega-co-axial-gmt-43-5-mm-23293442299001
I also vote for the 42 mm PO 2500. Here’s mine from 2010. The older, pre-ceramic bezels faded nicely. Works great on the original, albeit somewhat heavy, bracelet with its nice soft edges, as pictured above. Also looks and wears great on a NATO or a vintage Horween leather strap, as pictured here. Accurate as hell! Black or orange bezel, whichever you prefer, but the 2500 is the way to go.
Wait, does that mean the orange 8500 is aluminum, while the dark grey 8500 is ceramic? Is that really the case?
Really need that strap. Wonder if I can still source it new.
Edit:
Yep found it here... https://www.authenticwatches.com/omserust.html
I don't need much encouragement to get my POLMLE out.
Took me a year to find the right one, a constant companion.
Now I just need to find a clean fullset 2500D 42mm to compliment it ( ahem cash waiting ahem )
Really need that strap. Wonder if I can still source it new.
Edit:
Yep found it here... https://www.authenticwatches.com/omserust.html
The 2500's and 8500's are the ones for me (with a slight edge to the 8500 as you're factoring in the ceramic bezels, upgraded movements, exhibition caseback, and slightly better bracelets/straps). I also prefer the larger crowns and He release on the 8500. It just looks a bit more proportional to me.
The 2500 on bracelet was my first (good lord that's a great tool watch), followed by an 8500 Ti on bracelet, then the 8501 Ceragold, the Deep Black next and I recently added the stainless 8500 a few months back. I'm not sure I'd be able to part with any of them. They're all classics to me! (all in the 45.5mm case size).
It's the brand new PO's that I'm not really a big fan of with the exception of the Deep Black. The "hash-marks" on the bezel don't really do it for me and they seem to contrast too much on most models. To be fair I haven't played with many in person so I'm sure that opinion will change eventually.
For now I have to go with my 45.5mm Ceragold being my favourite!
