Planet Ocean 2500

[Tudor66]

I tried a Planet Ocean 2500 at a Omega boutique store, and I nearly took this one home today. Cooler heads prevailed, as I need to make sure it's what I really want.

The model I tried was the non orange model with a waterproof leather strap.
It was also the 41.5 mm model, which did fit me very well.

The only thing stopping me from the newer 8500 model is the price and the thicker size... For those of you with a P0 2500, please post photos and contribute your thoughts to the this enabling threat, as I might head back to the Omega boutique store this week....

[Sunster]

My 2500 Liquid metal...the 2500 models are much more comfortable on the wrist. I was put off by the sheer thickness of the 8500. I was intending to buy the regular 2500 PO (which I've previously owned) but came across the LM version...the rest is history

[jmsrolls]

I wanted a Planet Ocean from its introduction in 2005 but could never choose among the various options: size, bezel, strap/bracelet. Then in May of 2010 I traded for the PO Liquidmetal LE:



The LE is similar to the original 2201.50.00 which although discontinued, is still available as NOS. My dealer is still able to provide the cal 2500 POs at his standard discount.

Like you, the thickness of the 8500 case is a deal killer for me.

[Survivor]

One of my all time favorites..........for half the price of an 8500, how can you not pull the trigger???? The washed out bezel and the much thicker watch is a turn off for me (along with the price difference). That being said, the exhibition caseback and the remarkable movement are definitely worthy of praise as an Omega fan.

Here's a pic of my 45MM Planet Ocean, Mesh Bracelet........

[cont]

I love my PO 2500, it's a good looking with a nice legibility watch. And the weight just makes me feel the presence, as for the diameter really depends on how you like it, but for me 42 mm is just right. I'd say get the bracelet, then get the strap on the "for sale" section
Good luck!

[improviz]

Originally Posted by cont

I love my PO 2500, it's a good looking with a nice legibility watch. And the weight just makes me feel the presence, as for the diameter really depends on how you like it, but for me 42 mm is just right. I'd say get the bracelet, then get the strap on the "for sale" section
Good luck!

Definitely! It's much more cost-effective to buy watch on bracelet and switch to strap than the other way around, found this out the hard way!

[improviz]

I'll list my likes and dislikes of each. First, likes of both:

Likes for both:
extremely accurate, look great on bracelet or strap (though imo 2500 looks better on strap due to brighter appearance from wider, lighter bezel ring (inner ring that encircles dial), built like tanks.

Dislikes for both:
lack of fine adjustment on clasp (inexcusable imo given that pretty much everyone else in the industry has this to at least some extent) means compromised fitment.


8500 likes: screws for bracelet instead of pins, nicer coin-edge finishing around side of bezel, truly black dial (as opposed to greyish-black on 2500 (except LE LM)), 8500 movement, ability to set hour hand independently of minutes/seconds--great when traveling or time changes.

8500 dislikes: greyish/matte finish on bezel instead of (at least more) polished to match dial color, narrowing and lack of lusture of inner ring around bezel means less "pop",


2500 likes: bang for the buck, wider, black bezel with more noticeable bezel rings give watch more "pop", toughness, versatility

2500 dislikes: pins instead of screws for bracelet adjust make it a PITA to adjust (though you should only need to do this once), dial is greyish black instead of black and thus washes out in certain lighting conditions, I prefer black, looks richer imo (addressed this with 2500 LM LE, which is jet black), coin edges around outside of bezel are a bit rough looking in comparison to others (45.5mm version; 42mm's is a bit better in this regard imo, though 8500 still looks a bit sharper to me)

It's kind of funny in that, to me, the 2500's bezel is just the right look and is nice and black while its dial is too greyish for my tastes, while the 8500's dial is nice and black but its bezel is too greyish for my tastes and has the more subdued indices and rings.

The LM LE is nice in that bezel and dial are both very black and match perfectly, but I would prefer that the rings and indices on the bezel were a bit lighter in tint, they're a tad bit too dark imo and are difficult to see in certain lighting conditions, though having said that I'm still more than satisfied with it, it's now three weeks old and is within 2 sec of USNO time over that period.

I'm considering selling my Casino Royale and replicating what a member at WUS did: replacing dial, hands, and bezel with those from a few different editions (forget the numbers, but dial was off the diamond-bezeled model which is laquered and is *very* black), which is about as close as you'll get to a 45mm black LM at this juncture; at any rate it'd give me a deep, black dial which I love and still give me the 45 to wear for sporty-casual occasions, dunno, just mulling at this point...

[gnuyork]

I posted this in a similar discussion. I chose the 2500 and this was my rationale:

1: Price.
2. I like the solid case-back. I think it's cool to see the movement is display case-backs, but on this watch I think the sea horse creature is way cooler.
3. thickness
4. I like the overall look of the bezel better (black)
5. They are becoming scarce. So if you want one, you better get it now. I really should have waited on this purchase, but I didn't want to miss out.
6. Looks more vintagey classic (is that a made up word? If so then I'll trade mark it )

Things I like about the 8500
1. movement, well supposedly it's better (or at least all in house)
2. I really like the metal applied 6,9,12
3. The orange seamaster type is a nice splash of color with out being too much
4 the fact the bezel is ceramic (scratch resistant?) but wish it was black

But overall these did not outweigh my 2500 preferences.

This is just my opinion.

here are some rather poor quality photos. Mine is the 42mm.

[kymwatchlog]

somehow older models always radiate that old school aura and charm.

i wear a 2500 42mm. sits well and the size just right for me. i think it looks very tool when dress casual and with a suit, still elegant.

[Singslinger]

I have both - an orange 42mm 2500 and the new 8500 black. I actually find the 8500 a bit more comfortable to wear, but that's because I like heavier watches (such as the Rolex Deepsea).

I also find the lume on the 8500 to be clearer and of a nicer hue (blue as opposed to green for the 2500); however, I have found that the 8500's bezel does scratch more easily than the bezel on the 2500. Don't ask me why or how, but in the 8 weeks since I bought it, I've accumulated 2 noticeable scratches versus none on the 2500 (bought a week after the 8500).

Still, I'd rate both as excellent watches and am very happy with them!

[snowpea]

Originally Posted by Singslinger

however, I have found that the 8500's bezel does scratch more easily than the bezel on the 2500.

I thought the new ceramic bezel on the 8500 is scratch resistant?

[kymwatchlog]

Originally Posted by kymwatchlog

somehow older models always radiate that old school aura and charm.

i wear a 2500 42mm. sits well and the size just right for me. i think it looks very tool when dress casual and with a suit, still elegant.

my 2500, now still an all time fav of mine, i am a happy recent convert to the seamaster line







for comparison, here is the 8500 that i catch and release:

[improviz]

Originally Posted by kymwatchlog

for comparison, here is the 8500 that i catch and release:

These two pics perfectly illustrate my issue with the bezel on the 8500 version (its matte finish and the narrower, much less noticeable inner (and, as I see now, outer) ring(s) on the bezel, along with the much more subdued numbers and indices on the bezel). Even in two photos with much lower ambient light hitting on the 2500, it still has much more "pop" from the bezel in my eyes.

These are imo two of the most distinguishing and interesting features of this watch; I really don't understand the rationale behind the more subdued approach in the new one (though I do like the whiter lume on the new one and slightly thicker hands, which when coupled with the darker black of the new dial gives it a bit more pop in the dial department). Frustrating to me as I would almost certainly have gotten an 8500 had they kept it the same (or, at any rate, closer).

Otoh, I ended up getting the 2500 LM LE instead, so can't complain *that* much!!

[jamespiritu]

for the price of the new 8500, you could get two preowned 2500's... so i'll always stick with the old version

[RTea]

Wow the pictures in this thread are amazing! The LM limited edition ones are spectacular.

I recently sold mine as I'm saving/consolidating for a grail but the 2500 is a beauty. If you can get a new one I would check to see its the D version of the 2500 movement as its value seems to be a bit higher on the second-hand market and it included the new 3 tier co-axial escapement as found in the 8500 POs. Good luck resisting!

[mikkolopez]

Very nice POs, I like the 2500 as well though i've yet to stumble on one at the AD or the MP.

[anonymousmoose]

I have a 2500 with the earlier 2500 movement. All I can say is that be aware they were known for their faults, but usually the faults crept up within warranty period. Mine did and warranty fixed it. But Omega after sales in Australia is a pain in the *** to deal with >:-|. The later 2500's are better I hear. So if your buying new, try to find out if its a later revision.

Other than this, its a wonderful watch to own. I adore mine.

[MCV]

See my review here:

http://watchreviewsbymcv.blogspot.co...net-ocean.html

Cheers,

-Marc

[phillips29]

i definitely need to buy another 2500 i miss mine! :'(

[gaopa]

I was late to the PO party, but once I put one on my wrist I knew I wanted one. It is a 42mm 2500D model and one of my Omega keepers. Cheers, Bill P.

[Perdu]

Well if you want a 2500 I would not think about it for too long.

[joe100]

The 8500 cal Planet Ocean is a looker but I'd still go for the 2500. I think it's easier to live with on a daily basis. The 8500s are just too thick. I had the 2500 a few years back. It's a mighty fine watch

[SynMike]

Clearly everyone thinks the 8500 movement is superior to the 2500. But I still prefer the look of the older model. The new model is a great looking watch, but it is more of a sports style. I think the older model dresses up a bit better. I prefer the old model based on looks alone. The slightly thinner case of the older series is also better for me. The new ones are okay to have a thicker case, to match the more sporty styling. I think the 42mm version has a better proportioned dial than the 45mm model. Here is my my favorite:

[Tudor66]

Wow, nice photography skills. Yes, I agree that the 2500 in the smaller size would be perfect. I went back to the Omega boutique store last week to get the 2500 they had, but it was gone. All in all a better situation for me, as the 2500 used is just more reasonably priced.

I did get to try a few of the newer 8500 and LM models, which further pushed me towards the 2500 model. Once I stop buying Rolex submariners I will pickup a 2500, put it on a leather or. Neoprene strap and then I will have a very nice sport watch to accompany my Rolex collection....

[77T]

Originally Posted by Tudor66

Once I stop buying Rolex submariners....

Ha - I've said the same...it almost never happens once you start.
There's always one more variation you find and then MUST have!

[gnuyork]

[Kaprish]

On a Simona leather strap

[Kaprish]

And the lume is outstanding

[watchinwatches]

subscribing. The pics in this thread are amazing.

[Rashid.bk]

Originally Posted by SynMike

Here is my my favorite:

Amazing pics, this one is my fave but just by a hair as they're all incredible.
I'm using a few as a desk top, hope you don't mind.