gwells wrote: ↑Thu Jan 04, 2024 10:12 pm the PO is the most underrated omega. and it's not that it isn't considered a nice watch, but it really punches above its weight. and it's aging really well.

there are things i love more about each of the 2500 and the 8500 versions, i'd be happy with either. but since i have the modded 8500, i don't think there could even be a similar mod of the 2500 (they didn't have the white/white dial/bezel combo to modify).

I think you are right. The black and white bicolor bezel came in when they changed over to ceramic for the bezel (I think). That is a great looking watch too

StrapMeister wrote: ↑Thu Jan 04, 2024 11:25 pm Great story and write up which I can really relate to
What a great acquisition
...mine, the Casino Royale LE, says hello
PO.jpg
Mine is on an aftermarket bracelet.
It originally came on the rubber strap which I have squirreled away.

I found a couple of the rubber straps but they are pretty expensive at this point. I may just bite the bullet and grab one though. I bought a spare link that I ended up not needing so a return there will free up a few dollars in the fund drawer.

Is that a Forstner or another brand?

Great post, Rich, and a really lovely watch. I used to have the 42mm equivalent and do rather regret selling it. I'm sure I sold it to fund something else, but I can't remember what! I do now have a 8500 blue Liquid Metal version in titanium and I really like the overall Planet Ocean vibe, which yours positively shouts. I think you're going to be very pleased with yours for a long time.

Congratulations!

rkovars wrote: ↑Thu Jan 04, 2024 11:37 pm I found a couple of the rubber straps but they are pretty expensive at this point. I may just bite the bullet and grab one though. I bought a spare link that I ended up not needing so a return there will free up a few dollars in the fund drawer.

Is that a Forstner or another brand?

It's actually a "bitsa" bracelet, i.e., bits of one and bits of another.
I bought a bracelet from eBay and a Geckota bracelet from WatchGecko.
I used the end links from the eBay one and fitted/used the Geckota bracelet.

Great post! Thanks for taking the time to put it all together. I love this because I've learned about a line of watches i didn't know any thing about, and also got your personal opinions on things like movement, design, influences.

A thought of mine (i may be well off course of course) is that when you have any successful line of watch that you are growing and developing as a company, the tendency is a need to add 'more' or 'something new' with every iteration. That could be new materials ('oh that ceramic bezel is so shiny!''); new pops of colour ('hey look, some pops of colour!'); new dial effects ('oh look, sunburst dial!')... But those new iterations aren't 'better' - apart from in the advertiser's sales blurb. They're just different. I love the fact that you've gone back down the line and found the watch that is for you. And i think the one you have chosen is the essence of a great watch line.

Wear it with lots of happiness

Thanks for all the great information. I agree with the more subtle look of yours as well for that tool look. The 2500D movement makes it the best of both worlds. Congrats.

also, i really like the OEM rubber strap with the white version.

What a great informative post and a great looking watch.
Congratulations on securing it and thanks for the time spent writing and posting about it

An excellent post and an excellent watch.

Rich, what a first class post fully deserving of being read end to end. Top man.

I confess to only skimming through first time of reading with the thought in mind, "Surely this isn't the example I sold in 2023?" and it isn't but it is the same 45mm model and I know my decision to let it go wasn't easy but eventually it was the case size It is a fine watch and it was a pity I couldn't find the lifestyle to match.

Rich, enjoy your PO and keep showing it to us please.

Thanks for posting the fascinating story of your interest and ultimate acquisition of that gorgeous PO.

As always with a tinge of regret when you move on a great watch, I sold my PO LM last year in order to balance the books, it too was a 2500 movement, much slimmer and more attractive to me that the modern POs which I have found to be too tall for my tastes. As you said, the 15mm height will be well in proportion to a 45.5mm diameter.

Great post. I bought a planet ocean for £1400 just after the recession of 2008, it was slightly shop soiled but not too big a deal. I semi enjoyed the ownership but sold it due to the nature of the steel which seemed to scratch very easily as did the anti reflective coating on the outer side of the crystal then came alot of talk about that movements reliability and potential to just stop working.

I often thought the watch looked far too expensive to really use in all situations and babied the hell out of it. It's definitely the best looking era for the planet ocean, it's a shame the way the design has gone but I suppose it opened Omega up for more retro looking divers to also fit in the range.

What a great post and read, I learnt something today Thanks for taking the time to put that together.

Congratulations on the watch!

jimbo wrote: ↑Thu Jan 04, 2024 8:37 pm A really great post.
I have always loved the Rolex sub, and could have bought one in Hong Kong for about £400 in the 80's. sadly I didn't as it was not far off a months pay for me as a young Royal Marine, and Hong Kong was such fun!
So for me the Rolex dream died, but like you the PO is a grail watch for me, but again the prices!
I bought a bronze CW which I love, but the PO is class.
thanks for the read

The prices in those days looking back look hysterically low compared to today's standards. I bought my 1675 GMT-Master in 1991 and paid less than a grand all in.

An interesting aside, a while back I plotted the average monthly salary for a college graduate in the US vs Rolex RRP prices through the years. It was very interesting. The RRP tracked right below the monthly salary up until about the mid 90s where the curve inverted and tracked slightly above. Then around 2003 or 04 the curve hockey sticks up and to the right. It is clear that Rolex has changed their pricing strategy and thus who they think their potential customers are.

Here is the thread for reference.