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Post by carl on Mar 23, 2013 5:08:10 GMT -6
As controversial as this "Love it or hate it" Speedmaster model may be, I liked it from the start. As time goes by, I am really starting to love it.
I have spent a lot of time on various forums, blogs, websites reading about this model and looking at various photos. Not to mention the numerous times I have actually tried it on. It comes either with a black rubber strap or a brown leather strap, both with excellent deployant. Being titanium, it is way lighter than it looks, and is actually very comfortable.
In the end, Omega seems to be able to provide me with so many - if not all - features that I have wanted in a watch, or watches, over the years. The Speedy gives me the hesalite crystal and the manual wind movement. The AT8500 Skyfall, the independent hour hand, and of course the gorgeous blue dial. The Z-33 apart from the stellar looks (I realize this is very subjective), a HEQ movement, an alarm, a perpetual calendar and many other features, admittedly some that I don't need. But if we go through life getting nothing but what we need, then we never have any fun. And that's what this passion of ours is all about.
Going back to have a look at this on the weekend, and try it on again. Not saying it really will be my next watch, but instead of being a "really like but will probably never get" watch, it may well be my next if there is one at all.
Cheers 
Carl |
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Post by iceman on Mar 23, 2013 10:51:31 GMT -6
I've only seen it in the flesh, not had the chance to try 1 on yet. I think it's 1 of those people will either love or hate. Think i'm a lover  |
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Baco Noir
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Post by Baco Noir on Mar 23, 2013 16:07:09 GMT -6
To me, the case looks too large in comparison to the dial, so I can't even begin to look beyond that. Not for me.
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Post by carl on Mar 23, 2013 16:54:06 GMT -6
Well, I got to try it on today. The Sales Associate was good enough to oblige me by taking a quick wrist shot:  There actually is a lot of case, but the pics don't give an accurate picture of how good the Grade 5 Ti looks. As with most wrist shots, the wrist being behind the focal point which is the watch, there is actually more wrist that shows between the ends of the case and the edges of the wrist. I didn't like it any less this time around, in fact I love it more now. The leather strap is very comfortable, and the Ti deployant is a dream. One of those watches that just feels at home on the wrist. They had the Sochi LE PO as well. You really have to look closely to distinguish between it and the regular model. The MSRP is actually $6600, which is $400 more than the regular model, in spite of it not having the exhibition back. I have to admit that even for a guy like me who prefers the smaller size watches, I do prefer the look of the 45.5mm PO on my wrist. I guess a watch like that, I figure, should have a real presence, and it does. Then I tried on the Blue LiquidMetal - again. I don't think the case is ceramic, but it is so perfectly matched in colour to the bezel. If I went for a PO, I think it would have to be this one. The large PO is actually 2.5mm wider than the Z-33, which is 43mm, and I was surprised at the presence on the wrist. The Z-33 is about 1-2mm thicker, my jacket has a fairly wide cuff, and both the PO and the Z-33 fit under it well. Neither one is probably good under a shirt cuff. I'm still wound up over the Z-33. I promised, after it first came out, that I would give it a fair chance. Skeptical though I was! My Rolex Explorer I is up for sale, and probably as soon as that sale is accomplished...... Well, that was my excitement for the weekend. I always have a lightheaded, giddy feeling when I leave the Boutique. Maybe in my next life, I can be a watchmaker or at least a Sales Associate there!  Cheers Carl |
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Baco Noir
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Post by Baco Noir on Mar 23, 2013 16:57:46 GMT -6
You are like a kid in a candy store! I always love reading your posts covering your impressions when you get back from the Boutique!  |
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Post by carl on Mar 23, 2013 17:03:07 GMT -6
You are like a kid in a candy store! I always love reading your posts covering your impressions when you get back from the Boutique! Thanks, Roger. One of the greatest pleasures in my life! It's great to have the forums to share it all as well. Thought about you when I was trying on the Liquidmetal PO. What a stunningly beautiful watch that is. I still can't believe I prefer the PO in 45.5mm. That piece in Ti has to be seen to be believed. I compared the Ti and the regular model together, and the Ti is definitely darker and more grey, but not too much so. There was an earlier model Speedmaster in Grade 2 Ti that I was shown, but this grade 5 is so much nicer. I can't explain it, the grade 2 just looks almost as though it has got a special treatment on it, kind of like a blackened effect. But the grade 5!! With that beautiful blue LM bezel and dial, it is a work of art. The nicest diver - bar none! Cheers Carl |
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Baco Noir
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Post by Baco Noir on Mar 23, 2013 17:41:46 GMT -6
You are like a kid in a candy store! I always love reading your posts covering your impressions when you get back from the Boutique! Thanks, Roger. One of the greatest pleasures in my life! It's great to have the forums to share it all as well. Thought about you when I was trying on the Liquidmetal PO. What a stunningly beautiful watch that is. I still can't believe I prefer the PO in 45.5mm. That piece in Ti has to be seen to be believed. I compared the Ti and the regular model together, and the Ti is definitely darker and more grey, but not too much so. There was an earlier model Speedmaster in Grade 2 Ti that I was shown, but this grade 5 is so much nicer. I can't explain it, the grade 2 just looks almost as though it has got a special treatment on it, kind of like a blackened effect. But the grade 5!! With that beautiful blue LM bezel and dial, it is a work of art. The nicest diver - bar none! Cheers Carl I still love the Ti LM PO, but now that I know that Tudor is coming back to the US sometime this year, its competition for my money is the Tudor Pelagos. It's about 40% of the price of the Omega and has a lot going for it style wise as well. I'd like to see those side by side and think about the difference in cost and styling to make a decision. Once my SM300 is finished and I've had a chance to get past the honeymoon period, that will help me decide what's staying and what's going in my current collection and right now, I'm contemplating a decision that might shock some folks around here. |
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aquajoe
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Post by aquajoe on Mar 23, 2013 18:53:49 GMT -6
I'm contemplating a decision that might shock some folks around here. Do tell, try us out |
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CHIP
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Post by CHIP on Mar 23, 2013 19:06:25 GMT -6
He's selling everything and buying a gold Timex with diamonds.
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Baco Noir
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Post by Baco Noir on Mar 23, 2013 19:19:04 GMT -6
No, before I jump the gun, I need to see if I am going to love the SM300 as much as I think I will.
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aquajoe
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Post by aquajoe on Mar 23, 2013 19:28:28 GMT -6
No, before I jump the gun, I need to see if I am going to love the SM300 as much as I think I will. No on telling us or no on the diamond encrusted Timex?  |
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Post by carl on Mar 23, 2013 20:33:24 GMT -6
Thanks, Roger. One of the greatest pleasures in my life! It's great to have the forums to share it all as well. Thought about you when I was trying on the Liquidmetal PO. What a stunningly beautiful watch that is. I still can't believe I prefer the PO in 45.5mm. That piece in Ti has to be seen to be believed. I compared the Ti and the regular model together, and the Ti is definitely darker and more grey, but not too much so. There was an earlier model Speedmaster in Grade 2 Ti that I was shown, but this grade 5 is so much nicer. I can't explain it, the grade 2 just looks almost as though it has got a special treatment on it, kind of like a blackened effect. But the grade 5!! With that beautiful blue LM bezel and dial, it is a work of art. The nicest diver - bar none! Cheers Carl I still love the Ti LM PO, but now that I know that Tudor is coming back to the US sometime this year, its competition for my money is the Tudor Pelagos. It's about 40% of the price of the Omega and has a lot going for it style wise as well. I'd like to see those side by side and think about the difference in cost and styling to make a decision. Once my SM300 is finished and I've had a chance to get past the honeymoon period, that will help me decide what's staying and what's going in my current collection and right now, I'm contemplating a decision that might shock some folks around here. Speaking of Tudor watches, that AD is one destination that I missed today. We do have an AD in Vancouver dealing in Tudor, the same AD where I got my Air-King a couple of years ago. I really want to get in there and see if they have the Black Bay model. I understand that it has an ETA movement - nothing wrong with that at all - and is quite reasonably priced. Price aside, I have seen some pics of it, and it looks amazing. That is one watch that I must see before I make any firm commitments. Unfortuntely, that AD is closed on Sunday, or I would be down there. One of my first really good watches, early 80s, was a Tudor Prince Oysterdate. It was a lovely little watch. I bought it for $265.00CAD. I had it for quite a while, then just "stored" it. In about 2005, I sold it to Yorktime in Toronto for about a grand, and they refurbished it and it sold on their website for almost $3000.00USD. So, that is my very positive experience with Tudor. Well, Roger, always an adventure following along with you as well. I am looking forward to seeing the SM300 once it's finished. Then we shall see the next step, eh? Cheers Carl Maybe next week. Cheers, Carl |
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Post by ianmedium on Mar 27, 2013 9:14:16 GMT -6
Looks great Carl!
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CHIP
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Post by CHIP on Mar 27, 2013 9:19:17 GMT -6
I for one like it.
The beauty is in its ugliness, sort of like a tank or a Hummer H1.
Same goes for the new PloProf. (that one I really like)
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Post by king780 on Mar 27, 2013 10:02:03 GMT -6
After staring at the picture for about 10 mins, mmmm I think I can like it.
BTW I love the H1. Reminds me of Arnold.
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