My thoughts on the two are this. The Non Ac has a better dial with the applied markers and logo however the 2254.50 seems brighter and looks bigger with the black bezel insert Vs the WG insert. A little more bad ass then the non AC. I can get both the 2254.50 with box mint the non AC no box 8+ out of 10. Only three hundred dollar difference. t Thanks!
That's my thought too! Just hard to resist the unique qualities of the non AC. Maybe a monster mod dial only hack down the road when service is due. Thanks!
I'd take the non-AC any day. The applied markers give the dial more depth, and the bezel is better looking. Painted bezels are for Seikos man!
2254 all the way the only reason I have not got one of those babies on my wrist right now is I. Had the financial opportunity to get one of these before it became an obsessive Grail. The 2254 has become an obsessive Grail of mine but minor distractions like the one in the photo keep getting in the way. I will make it my quest to snag one of those classics before Christmas.
Sometimes I think there's something wrong with me because I just don't like dials with applied markers and I seem to be in the minority. The bezel on the non AC looks like they forgot to finish it. you can probably tell which way I'd go myself.
as a very happy 2254 owner (my first ever watch purchase) I'd have to say the 2254 all the way, especially if you can get the complete set, I think the watch is a true classic!
for me it depends what you have. if you don't have other divers go with the 2254, if you do and they have the black bezel then the steel bezel is more original as a second/third/fourth watch.
I've though a lot about flipping it and getting a new SM300. But every time I wear it, I remember why I like it so much. Have never seen one in the wild, unlike the 2254.50.
Go with the non-AC; IMHO it's better looking and way harder to come by compared to a 2254. Here's some incentive: