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Thanks for the write up, @bondjames. All great watches. Thinking of a future watch I could get once I get a career going, all three are extremely sound watches. I'm pretty keen on a sub but I would feel like it would render my SMP obsolete. Meh, it could one day be my "dress" watch..
The glidelock must be a blessing, one thing I hate about bracelets is the lack of adjustability.
You're right though that having a Sub makes the SMP somewhat redundant because they are so similar. An AT might be the way to go for a dressier experience (that way you can keep the SMP as well).
The AT will feel like a sports watch in comparison!
And that Rolex is really lovely, love the matte bezel and case of the older rolexes. Is yours still pressure tested to be swimmable?
Yes, even though I bought it used, it was pressure tested and warrantied for one year by the shop. I've never taken it to the pool or the shower. I always take it off beforehand. Lol. What a waste!
I finally received my custom croc from the far east. Perfect, and really makes my Railmaster pop.
Smart and classy. The Whisky's not bad either....
I also have this https://goo.gl/PRZFeu
Likewise. The horizontal teak pattern on the new AT models ruins it. And I don't like the conical shaped crown. Saw the new blue one in person, looks ok, more casual look to it, a slightly different shade of blue, but still doesn't look as good as the previous blue AT with the vertical teak pattern.
1. You can get a quartz or an automatic. The quartz will cost less and be easier to maintain (just the battery change), but it will have a tick tick second hand rather than the clean sweep of an auto. Brosnan in fact wore the quartz in GE before transitioning to an auto in later films
2. There have been a few variants of the Brozza automatic watch over the years. It started off with an ETA 1120 movement, which is a very simple and highly reliable mechanism. Easy to service cheaply too because most watchmakers are familiar with it. In time, they transitioned the movement to the George Daniels based 2500, which is more complex and a little more difficult and costly to service. I've had both and honestly, the ETA backed movement was just as good. Keep in mind though that the 2500 movement version looks better (it has raised hour markers with chrome bezels, and also came in a really cool black version). Then they facelifted the watch a few years later with a ceramic face (it had the same movement but lost the wave dial pattern which was on the non-ceramic watches). It is a more substantial watch now with a heavier feel. Neither Brosnan nor Craig ever wore the ceramic version.
3. In terms of new vs. old: that's a tough question. These watches have been around for so long that they don't really appreciate all that much. The used will be cheaper of course, and as long as you find a well maintained model with all the books and papers you should be good. I assume if you purchase from a used dealer (watchfinder?) you should also get a limited store warranty. Keep in mind that if you purchase from jomashop you won't get the Omega warranty (I don't think). You will get jomashop's warranty. The Omega warranty only comes from an official dealer. Sometimes it's better to buy a used watch from an individual because if it's new enough you will get the remainder of the official warranty with it (don't let this be the deciding factor though, because the watches are generally quite reliable. More important to focus on condition, and all books, boxes and papers when making a used purchase). If you decide to purchase from an individual, make sure to go with them to a dealer first to authenticate the watch. I don't think you'll be able to get any non-ceramic watch from jomashop though. They will only have the newer ceramic versions.
You may want to look up some articles online on the watch forums like watchuseek. There will be a lot of information there and folks even offer them for sale.
Keep in mind the model variations I mentioned (from left to right):
1) Original version with 1120 movement and no raised hour markers or chrome rings around markers,
2) A rare and reasonably sought after model with traditional Omega style arrow markers - this also runs the 1120 movement. It's known as model 2254,
3) The newer model version with 2500 movement as worn by Craig in CR (he wore the blue) - this one has the raised hour markers with chrome rings around them. Omega logo is in chrome.
4) the latest ceramic version which loses the 'wave' dial. It also has the chrome rings and raised markers. Omega logo also in chrome.
I've purchased quite a few on ebay over the years and have never had any problems thankfully. I always 'buy the seller' and ask lots of questions first. I got my Railmaster and more recently a Cartier from ebay. Check your local craigslist too as they sometimes pop up there. You may be able to find one that's still on warranty on ebay also. Set up a 'search' that emails you daily when something pops up.
Regarding the Seamaster at Watchfinder, yes a refurbished bezel isn't unusual as they tend to get dings. Having said that, if someone replaced it, that means the watch was hit there, which could suggest the original owner wasn't too careful with it. I have never had to replace a bezel on any of the Seamasters I've owned, although one had a small nick.
The 300 from SP is a completely different watch. No date function, much more expensive and much thicker due to the newer movement.
@ClarkDevlin What have you got, mate? Let's see some pics.
Thing is, I've obtained this one about a month ago in an Eastern European country for only like 35 bucks (US dollars). Of course, I'm not investing in an actual Rolex wristwatch by spending tens of thousands on it just to show off. Too many responsibilities to attend to. Knockoffs like these in the US can be bought for triple the price of what I've spent on this one. Can't say I'm a fan of the colour, and especially the bezel, but it'll do, I guess. Until I find a Rolex Submariner knockoff.
This happens to be a knockoff of Rolex Yachtmaster with blue rubber strap.
I'm no watch enthusiast. But, watching some videos on YouTube where users expose the fake watches and help tell the difference between the actual one and the fabricated ones, I'd say they've done hell of a job... Minus the colour, which I understand the Rolex Yachmasters don't come in blue and gold-hued plate. Only black and gold.
I just want to point out that many watch 'enthusiasts' aren't into these items for the show off factor. Rather, it's the attention to detail in the time pieces, the iconic designs, the quality of the workmanship and the engineering which are the main draw. Once one gets into it, the whole thing becomes quite addictive. Like being an automobile fan. It's almost like a club of like minded people.
When I started off my first purchase was a 'pre-Bond' Omega Seamaster. I bought it used in a New York pawn shop because I thought it looked like a Sub (which is what I really wanted) but also because it was still a decent quality watch.
There were fake Subs sold by neighbouring street vendors too, but I had no interest in them. Eventually, I got the Sub - honestly I've always wanted one since I saw LALD as a kid.
When it comes to Omega, I'm a Seamaster guy and only resort to loving the models from the Brosnan era and Craig's in CR. Since 2008, Omega really lost its value for me and became less attractive each year.
For now, I think I'll settle with the fake watches and enjoy them. But, it's definitely on my list to get a Brosnan era Omega Seamaster and a Rolex Submariner in the future... Perhaps in ten years time.