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Old 6 March 2020, 01:50 PM   #1
Kirk
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Omega 2254.50 SMP Franken or Fake?

I have no intention of promoting fakes here, but I wanted some other input on this Omega Seamaster 2254.50 that I picked up yesterday. If this crosses a line, mods please delete! It was purchased from a reputable dealer, so my money is safe. I have already been offered a full refund.

I thought the watch seemed thick so I measured it with digital calipers and a micrometer - 13.30 mm thick. I believe this SMP should be ~11.8 mm thick. Then I noticed the dial text is not standard from what I see in Internet photo searches, but I assume this might be a variation - looks good to me.

The biggest issue is the movement though. It's marked as an ETA 2836-2 and it looks exactly like one, but the proper Omega 1120 movement is based on the ETA 2892-2. There is about a 1.5 mm thickness difference between these two movements, with the 2892-2 being thinner than the 2836-2. The rotor text is all wrong too.

So I am just looking for a sanity check here. I assume this is not a franken because of the thickness. It seems the case was made thicker to accommodate the thicker movement. Also the rotor shows intent to deceive one into thinking it's a true Omega 1120 movement. I am assuming then that the movement is actually an Asian clone of the 2836-2.

Overall it's very good if a fake. It is very solid feeling. The bezel action is extremely good. And the damn thing is keeping time at +/- 0 sec/day!
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Old 6 March 2020, 02:01 PM   #2
JP(Canada)
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Not a franken. It's a replica. Get your money back.
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Old 6 March 2020, 02:20 PM   #3
Kirk
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Originally Posted by JP(Canada) View Post
Not a franken. It's a replica. Get your money back.
Yeah, I'm sorry I should clarify. I just don't know Omega. I have a Speedmaster, but the Seamaster co-axials just have never appealed to me - too chunky. So I just am not sure about different SMP variations. The more I think about it though the movement really shows it's not a franken, but fake. Totally wrong movement in there.
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Old 6 March 2020, 02:47 PM   #4
DCheeta
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Yep, fake as hell.

Love the Paragon loupe. My industry used to be littered with those.
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Old 8 March 2020, 11:46 PM   #5
daequitz
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The text does look odd to my 2054.50, which I purchased new from an AD. I believe it has the same the same case, dial face and movement as the 2254.50. I think the big diff between the two was the band. I just measured overall thickness at 11.75mm with my digital calipers.
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Old 9 March 2020, 04:51 AM   #6
Kirk
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The text does look odd to my 2054.50, which I purchased new from an AD. I believe it has the same the same case, dial face and movement as the 2254.50. I think the big diff between the two was the band. I just measured overall thickness at 11.75mm with my digital calipers.
Yup, your text is the standard text that I have seen on all of the photos on the Net. I opened up my watch again to look at the movement. I really can't tell if it's an Asian 2836-2 or authentic ETA. Doesn't matter though, bottom line is that the watch was a fake. Your thickness measurement confirms that, thanks. I returned the watch and already got my money back...
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Old 15 March 2020, 12:05 PM   #7
Jeelan
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Glad you got your money back, but it’s bit concerning that a reputable dealer is selling replicas and not aware of it..... was it a grey dealer or store? Are you able to disclose any more?
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Old 16 March 2020, 12:51 AM   #8
cosmic2000
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agreed Rep - look at the Omega logo -"happy feet"
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Old 16 March 2020, 02:04 AM   #9
shaunylw
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Someone put in an awful lot of work for a watch that’s $2500. What a strange watch to fake. I love mine, glad you got it figured out. You should definitely buy another one!

Find George (kringkilly) I’m sure he has one for sale.


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Old 26 March 2020, 12:21 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kirk View Post
Yup, your text is the standard text that I have seen on all of the photos on the Net. I opened up my watch again to look at the movement. I really can't tell if it's an Asian 2836-2 or authentic ETA. Doesn't matter though, bottom line is that the watch was a fake. Your thickness measurement confirms that, thanks. I returned the watch and already got my money back...
Glad you got your money back. The 2254 is a great model, hope you can find a nice genuine one!
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Old 26 March 2020, 02:02 PM   #11
MILGAUSS88
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Someone put in an awful lot of work for a watch that’s $2500. What a strange watch to fake. I love mine, glad you got it figured out. You should definitely buy another one!
That's nothing. I bought a fake Tissot diver from a friend. Didn't even think of there being fakes of those.
Look at some replica sites. They make fakes of watches that retail for $300 new.
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Old 18 April 2020, 01:30 PM   #12
Kirk
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Thanks for the responses guys... I thought this thread had died out.

Sorry, I don't really want to throw the dealer under the bus since they are 100% legit, made a mistake, and fixed it immediately.

I was still going back and forth on whether or not to get an Omega Seamaster 2254.50. I was also looking for a titanium 2231.50 and prices on Rolex 14060M no date Subs have been getting better (although I own six Rolexes, including a Sea Dweller and two tone Sub). I also looked at other alternatives to the Omega, looking specifically at thinner divers. I still kept coming back to this Seamaster 2254 though.

Well one finally came up for sale at the right price with a recent, full service and the push button micro adjust clasp that I really wanted. It looks like I will receive it tomorrow!

First thing I will do? Open the caseback and verify the movement!!!
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Old 19 April 2020, 01:19 AM   #13
Londonboy
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Kirk, I'm glad that you got your money back

One way to check on the movement is to scroll the date, on a gen 2254 you have to turn the crown in the anti clockwise direction to forward the date

If your new one has had a full service why would you want to open the case back?
Who serviced it?

Wearing mine as I type
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Old 21 April 2020, 08:24 AM   #14
Kirk
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Kirk, I'm glad that you got your money back

One way to check on the movement is to scroll the date, on a gen 2254 you have to turn the crown in the anti clockwise direction to forward the date

If your new one has had a full service why would you want to open the case back?
Who serviced it?

Wearing mine as I type
Thanks for the suggestion on the quick check of the date wheel. I have another 2892-A2 watch that does that with date setting.

I've purchased quite a few watches used. My local watch shop charges $50 to remove the caseback and authenticate the watch. Verifying the movement is sometimes the only way to authenticate a watch given how good the fakes have become these days. To save money I purchased a very, very nice Chinese copy of a high end caseback removing tool. I can remove a caseback without any damage and reinstall it tightly. So I have done my own authentication and will do the same with this watch. I want to know 100% that the watch is authentic. I don't want to find out years down the road at a service after the seller and my money are long gone.

I also have a nice Chinese timegrapher and regulate my watches when the caseback is off. That's probably not needed with this watch recently serviced, but I will also time it just to check.
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