So, I sold the BLNR...

[m j b]

...and almost immediately regretted it. Lots of reasons for selling, but I like to flip and change things up, and we had a good run. And prices seems to be up right now, so why not?

The problem was, I did it on kind of a whim, and had no backup plan. It was my only watch! Sure, I have an old Seiko that appears to be about 34mm and is beat up, has an uncomfortable aftermarket strap with a deployment buckle that I can never seem to deploy. And I forgot how much I dislike Quartz watches. They give off a magnetic flux that interferes with the voices in my head.

So, what to do? Well, I've had Omegas in the past, and thought I'd go there again, and after some research and shopping, I got the black ceramic Seamaster pictured below. I like the heft, the look and it wears well. It's not a Rolex, by no means, but it also cost less than a new Tudor, or an OP, or pretty-much anything that we Rolex aficionados would want.

Omega has finally moved away from those gawd-awful pins in the bracelet, and now have screws for the sizing links. Natch I don't have a screwdriver that fits those tiny suckers, so I took it to a reputable watch repair place to have them size it for me.

And he can't get the screws out, buggers up a couple of them and scratches a link. Grrrrrrr. And even after all that, it's still too loose (but I'm not letting hims back at it), so I went to Lowe's and bought another set of micro screwdrivers, put the watch in my vice and heated up the links first, and the screws came out, easy-peasy. Omega uses way too much loctite. And those screws are tiny!!!!

What's my point, you are probably wondering? Well, I think I'm kind of getting the appeal of a less expensive watch. It's still more expensive (around $3700 MSRP) than the average person would spend on a watch, and it's mechanical, so it's going to be inaccurate and cost money to service every few years. But the idjit buggered up the screw heads and scratched the link, and I didn't let it bother me. Well, not much. If someone had done that to my GMT, I would have had a fit, demanding a replacement, head on a platter, monetary compensation, etc. And I worried about wearing the GMT to the gym, damaging it, losing it or having it stolen. Sure, all of that can happen with the Omega, and I'll be upset if it does - it still wasn't cheap, but the threshold has moved, and maybe that's not a bad thing.

Just a thought. Sharing.

[Grandcrew]

Thanks for a good laugh- enjoy your new timepiece and the lack of exasperating concern that can sometimes accompany them!

[bdex75]

Great looking watch. And glad someone didn't have to give their head on a platter for it!!!


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[mjclark32]

Congrats on the Omega and the newfound calmness
Hope it lasts

(Don’t know why tapatalk is making this so big)

[imperio]

Is this truly "less expensive"? How much did you lose when you sold the BLNR vs the purchase price, and how much would you lose if you sold this....?

[ap1]

Congrats

[sensui]

Enjoy that Seamaster for a bit and you'll come to understand it's not inferior to a Submariner in any real way as a mechanical watch.....with Rolex you're paying up for the name/marketing. If wearing a "beater" is what'll make you enjoy your watch more, so be it but I think you'll come to understand that watch is rock solid. Congrats.

[flw]

Originally Posted by sensui

Enjoy that Seamaster for a bit and you'll come to understand it's not inferior to a Submariner in any real way as a mechanical watch.....with Rolex you're paying up for the name/marketing. If wearing a "beater" is what'll make you enjoy your watch more, so be it but I think you'll come to understand that watch is rock solid. Congrats.

Couldn't agree more.

[Maxtor]

No need to feel second class. That is a great watch. Enjoy!

[Bushido]

Originally Posted by sensui

Enjoy that Seamaster for a bit and you'll come to understand it's not inferior to a Submariner in any real way as a mechanical watch.....with Rolex you're paying up for the name/marketing. If wearing a "beater" is what'll make you enjoy your watch more, so be it but I think you'll come to understand that watch is rock solid. Congrats.

Very well said!

Congratulations on the Seamaster! Beautiful watch which I expect you'll find to be an absolute pleasure to wear.

[dh116610]

I've owned both a sub and seamaster 300. Loved my omega but from a quality and timekeeping standpoint, the Rolex stands alone here.

[herts9]

I'm in the water more than I switch time zones. You have a cracking good piece. I wear mine daily, having the blue one.

Definitely still a luxury piece and a substantial wrist presence. Great choice!

[DHPSU]

I believe there is room for both!



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[red1108nyc]

Congrats again.. and a great piece!

[j0oftheworld]

That is a smooth looking piece!

[Stevec14]

Nice. I think this is great value compared to the sub. Lovely looking piece.

[m j b]

Thanks for all of the nice comments!

[superdog]

I love your choice. Nicely done.

[kwingy]

Great read mate. And love your choice and attitude.

An Omega is still a great and expensive watch for the average WIS and you can wear yours without getting so precious about damaging it if it were a Rolex or worry too much about the resale value. A watch is meant to be worn and enjoyed not kept in a watch and babied.

We all love a Rolex but it's great to spend a little less and still get a great watch that does the same job.

[Zestywesley]

I had the same thought as I owned the Seamaster 300m bef0re, but sold it because I didn't like the bracelet. If I was to go back to Omega, I would get their 39.5mm Planet Ocean instead now.

[cajunron]

Originally Posted by sensui

Enjoy that Seamaster for a bit and you'll come to understand it's not inferior to a Submariner in any real way as a mechanical watch.....with Rolex you're paying up for the name/marketing. If wearing a "beater" is what'll make you enjoy your watch more, so be it but I think you'll come to understand that watch is rock solid. Congrats.

This is probably why I chose a Seamaster PO when I bought my first luxury watch. I got a really accurate and robust watch with a coaxial escapement and ceramic bezel, that was fairly new. For the amount of money I spent on the Omega, I could have maybe bought an older Datejust; not that there is anything wrong with that! I just felt like I got a much nicer watch for the money going Omega vs. Rolex.

To the OP, that is a beautiful piece. Wear it in good health.

[CKL1213]

same situation with you sir, previously was wearing Sub LV, sold and now wearing Omega, suddenly I feel more relaxed maybe the green Sub is too eye catching and created unwanted attention. Nonetheless Omega is a very well made watch.

[iliketime]

just bought a tudor sub for this reason as an edc beater. overpriced? sure, some would say absolutely. a bit more wouldve gotten me a beater sub, and another $50 wouldve gotten me a no b/p explorer 2. had an aqua terra as a beater prior but it was in a much neater condition and didnt want to ding it up

[Rolex-fan]

It’s all relative. For some people your GMT is your seamaster and for some it maybe your seiko. On the other hand, for many your swill is like a GMT to them. It has nothing to do with the brand.