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Updated SMP

McBeardy
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Do we think the current SMP will be revamped this year? If so will Omega keep the current size & offer something smaller - harking back to the mid size (maybe 39mm rather than 36mm).

Or do we think with the introduction of the new no date Seamaster Pros, there will be more to come in this variant?

Will they keep both the modern version - date, ceramic dial & bezel & keep the vintage inspired - ali bezel, ali dial, domed sapphire?

Is the mesh the new style bracelet, or will the current one get a taper?
 
Tag0935
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No one knows, and everyone's guess is as good. If you like something, buy it now and enjoy.
 
Tag0935
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We'll see, sooner or later, the watch that Craig wore - the bronze / gold with the red bezel, but no date there.
 
bsowers34
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Talked to the OB manager last week, he's been with Swatch Group for 12 years. He says that Omega is listening to what you want from a new Seamaster, but had no real information about how and when something new will happen.
 
McBeardy
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Tag0935 Tag0935
No one knows, and everyone's guess is as good. If you like something, buy it now and enjoy.
I get that, I like the new black no date & have been very close to buying the green seaweed. However I like my watches to slightly age with me, which I know wouldn’t happen with the ceramic bezel/ dial versions.

Just intrigued if we think a slightly smaller one would be released soon. Current gen fine but ideal size is 40mm and a L2L around 48mm.
 
Tag0935
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Ceramic won't age and is difficult to scratch, so the only part that will age will be the luminova on the dial and hands. As for the case, let's see what they come up with.
 
bsowers34
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McBeardy McBeardy
I get that, I like the new black no date & have been very close to buying the green seaweed. However I like my watches to slightly age with me, which I know wouldn’t happen with the ceramic bezel/ dial versions.

Just intrigued if we think a slightly smaller one would be released soon. Current gen fine but ideal size is 40mm and a L2L around 48mm.
Like I said, Omega is listening to what the managers are telling them at meetings.
 
YY77
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Tag0935 Tag0935
so the only part that will age will be the luminova on the dial and hands.
The benefit (for the manufacturer) of modern luminova is that it doesn't age/deteriorate, which is a pity for watch collectors who like how tritium develops.
 
Tag0935
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YY77 YY77
The benefit (for the manufacturer) of modern luminova is that it doesn't age/deteriorate, which is a pity for watch collectors who like how tritium develops.
If that were true, then why do the hands get regularly replaced during a service (at OB, not independents)? And my neovintage Speedy with original dial shows lower luminescence than the replaced hands during a service.
 
Tag0935
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So it does not age at the same rate as tritium, but it does. While ceramic will stay the same for years to come.
 
padders
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I've never noticed any deterioration in the luminescence of SL so I'm not sure I agree. Hands do tarnish though (the metal shells I mean) and occasionally get grubby which is why they get changed. I have had many 1990s Omegas with SL lume brighter than the current SMP. Speedmasteer lume was always rubbish to start with so it would be hard to spot deterioration there. What will damage lume of any flavour is moisture, get that in and all bets are off.
 
ErichPryde
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Tag0935 Tag0935
If that were true, then why do the hands get regularly replaced during a service (at OB, not independents)? And my neovintage Speedy with original dial shows lower luminescence than the replaced hands during a service.
My understanding is that hands get replaced as a default of service simply because they can be scratched easily (especially the highly polished ones) and scratches on the hands are wildly noticeable. Have a customer or two complain and send back their watches for scratch hands and default replacement becomes a less costly fix.

Tag0935 Tag0935
And my neovintage Speedy with original dial shows lower luminescence than the replaced hands during a service.

Luminova has gotten a lot better, and we know that even within the same time frame, it's not all the same light output. My ~2018 Speedy has absolutely horrendous lume compared to my citizen eco-drive, which is a decade(+) older. The 2254 seamasters are relatively well known for having bright lume even by today's standards two decades after they were built.

I think you're likely correct that some amount of degredation occurs, however- just as a byproduct of time and damage. It's not observably much though, and I don't know that anyone has done a longitudinal study (if there is one I haven't seen it and can't find it) on brightness loss.
Edited:
 
YY77
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Tag0935 Tag0935
If that were true, then why do the hands get regularly replaced during a service (at OB, not independents)?
Common practice at Omega even when hands are not the plastic ones like on the moonwatch.

Luminova comes in different brightness, the Zenith A386 manufacture for example has C1, the A386 FWC and 50th anniversary have C3 SL.

There are also different grades;
Standard
Grade A
Grade X1
Edited:
 
ErichPryde
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McBeardy McBeardy
Do we think the current SMP will be revamped this year? If so will Omega keep the current size & offer something smaller - harking back to the mid size (maybe 39mm rather than 36mm).

Or do we think with the introduction of the new no date Seamaster Pros, there will be more to come in this variant?

Will they keep both the modern version - date, ceramic dial & bezel & keep the vintage inspired - ali bezel, ali dial, domed sapphire?

Is the mesh the new style bracelet, or will the current one get a taper?


Omega is a fan of options, so it's my take that they will have some variation of both going forward. They did technically compress the current no date SMP very slightly (the lug to lug came down by 0.2mm).

I heard rumors the next no date will be white; not sure if that's true.

Of all the things I hope they carry forward the domed crystal is the one I'd like to see most. Optically, I love how it reflects light and what it does to the dials.
 
502 to right
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Tag0935 Tag0935
So it does not age at the same rate as tritium, but it does. While ceramic will stay the same for years to come.

Unless it cracks.
 
R
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i went ahead and bought a prime condition 2531.80 because omega CANNOT improve on the original. Thinness, wearability, the complex and gorgeous design of its bracelet , the thin clasp, the midnight blue dial color, the cobalt blue bezel, the size, the sporty elegance vibe, and its connection to 5 bond films.

Omega always messes it up in their new releases, with one bad decision. Whether it’s a perfect watch but limited edition (Spectre), or a perfect watch design wise and spec wise but too big (planet ocean ultra deep), or the perfect dial but a domed crystal adding height (seamaster 60th) or a lacquer black dial on a speedy but making it a $100k platinum watch. I’ve lost trust.

That said, the new 38mm Aqua Terra’s are great. Although, oops, lots of polished surfaces everywhere, making them great GADA’s but then again not quite.
IMG_0018.webp IMG_0016.webp
 
502 to right
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R ReturnRight1022
i went ahead and bought a prime condition 2531.80 because omega CANNOT improve on the original. Thinness, wearability, the complex and gorgeous design of its bracelet , the thin clasp, the midnight blue dial color, the cobalt blue bezel, the size, the sporty elegance vibe, and its connection to 5 bond films.

Omega always messes it up in their new releases, with one bad decision. Whether it’s a perfect watch but limited edition (Spectre), or a perfect watch design wise and spec wise but too big (planet ocean ultra deep), or the perfect dial but a domed crystal adding height (seamaster 60th) or a lacquer black dial on a speedy but making it a $100k platinum watch. I’ve lost trust.

That said, the new 38mm Aqua Terra’s are great. Although, oops, lots of polished surfaces everywhere, making them great GADA’s but then again not quite.
IMG_0018.webp IMG_0016.webp
I agree 100%. I owned a 42mm SMP and found it too big, too thick, and too blingy. The diver I primarily wear is the 2531.80 like you. Here's a pic from today while I wait for my car to be serviced. I usually wear it with a first gen Aqua Terra bracelet.

The other watch I wear is the 38.5mm Aqua Terra Skyfall. Not too much polish as the bracelet is fully brushed.

So while I'd kind of like Omega to make a smaller SMP, I don't really need one.

IMG_9511.webp
Edited:
 
R
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502 to right 502 to right
I agree 100%. I owned a 42mm SMP and found it too big, too thick, and too blingy. The diver I primarily wear is the 2531.80 like you. Here's a pic from today while I wait for my car to be serviced. I usually wear it with a first gen Aqua Terra bracelet.

The other watch I wear is the 38.5mm Aqua Terra Skyfall. Not too much polish as the bracelet is fully brushed.

So while I'd kind of like Omega to make a smaller SMP, I don't really need one.

IMG_9511.webp
Thanks for sharing, we are definitely of the same mind. I’ve considered adding the 38.5mm Skyfall Aqua Terra to my wardrobe/collection. What occasions would you say you wear it over the SMP?
 
502 to right
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R ReturnRight1022
Thanks for sharing, we are definitely of the same mind. I’ve considered adding the 38.5mm Skyfall Aqua Terra to my wardrobe/collection. What occasions would you say you wear it over the SMP?

To be honest, I usually switch between the two just based on what I feel like that day, rather than by occasion. I keep them both wound (I have a watch winder to keep them wound if I'm not wearing one). The AT is so versatile it goes with anything. If I get dressed up at all I would wear the AT, but I'm semi-retired so I don't get dressed up very often.

I have a two watch stand on my desk and grab whichever one I want at the moment. Sometimes I literally switch them out throughout the day. I love both watches and it would be near impossible to pick just one--although I certainly could get by with one of them based on how versatile they are. The SMP could be worn with a suit (see Pierce Brosnan's James Bond) and the AT could be worn with a T-shirt and blue jeans.

IMG_8040.webp
Edited:
 
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