Ok, my title is a bit click baity. Here's the real story. An elderly barman in my local has a bit of an Omega fetish (like myself). Paddy has five Omegas in total. Three Geneves and two Seamasters. While we were swapping notes the other day we decided to swap watches for two weeks (when he is scheduled to work again), for a bit of variety. My FOIS for his Seamaster. I am not even sure of the model, but after two days on the wrist I have to say I love it! I didn't think I'd like it so much. My FOIS is still my favorite, but let's be honest it has legibility in issues. But this? This I can read from across the room. It's a gorgeous god damned watch.
So I went to the pub last Sunday for a couple of plain ones, to return the Seamaster, to get my FOIS back, and to swap notes again with Paddy. Going into this deal I had thought Paddy did well out of the arrangement as the FOIS is clearly the sexier watch, but after two weeks with the Seamaster on the wrist I have to admit is a much closer run thing than that. I was thoroughly impressed, and now put the PO near top of my list of want-to-haves. "It's a beaut Paddy", I says, "but what do you reckon of the FOIS?". "Dedalus05", says he, "Tis nice to be sure, but it stopped working the day after I took possession of it." I was aghast, "What? You're Joking? Did you wind it?" "Did I what?", says he. Paddy is 84, but still this was a lapse. It never occurred to him the watch needed winding. Anyway, gratuitous pic of my FOIS attached.
>tell Paddy you already gave back his Seamaster.. Hehe. Why didn't I think of that? Paddy has been scatterbrained since I've known him - over 20 years, and for most of those years I've made a point of ordering my drinks off someone else. Guiness is a two part pour, so Paddy will pull the first part, put it down to settle for a bit and promptly forget about it entirely.
I love my beat up old Seamaster PO 2500. On the stock SS bracelet it’s wicked heavy (as we say might in New England), but a nice vintage Horween leather strap or a NATO easily solves that issue. I’m wondering if it’s heavier than a Speedmaster Pro - does anyone know?
I’m off the opposite opinion here. While I don’t own either model I have several collectors locally that do and have had the opportunity to wear both. The FOIS speaks to me, and is definitely on my “wants” list. Every time I have the chance to see the OB I try it on.