Love for the PO Big Size with Black Dial

[carl]

Dropped by the local Boutique yesterday, to see some of the new models. While I was there, I was surprised that the watch I paid most attention was the PO Big Size with the black dial:



I am still mesmerized by the Ti Liquidmetal with blue dial. And they had the 42mm size which just arrived, so I tried it on as well.

Funny thing I find about the wrist presence of the POs: the 42mm seems to fit very little larger than my AT 8500 midsize 38.5mm. The Big Size 45.5mm fits more like I would expect the 42mm to fit.

Sometimes, you have to see and try on a particular model many times before it really starts to appeal. The Speedmaster has been around for most of my life, yet I only started to appreciate it about a year ago. Now one of my favourite watches. I never much cared for the lighter black (or grey) of the bezel before. However, yesterday I spent more time with the watch, and started to appreciate the matt finish on both the bezel and the dial, and also the various hues they take on in different lighting conditions. The white gold "OMEGA" and symbol, and the white gold markers and hands really form an excellent contrast to the finish of the dial and bezel. They give the watch just the right amount of bling.

The fit and finish are flawless. The watch is extremely comfortable, and seems to fit right into my wrist. I had a couple of Breitling Seawolfs which are almost the same thickness, but the PO does not wear nearly as thick on the wrist. Looking at it from the front, or crown side, it's thickness seems almost the same as my AT 8500. Mind you, the AT8500 is not know for exactly being a thin watch.

The Big Size PO seems almost the same as my 42mm Speedy and is, in fact, more comfortable. The weight of the stainless steel case and bracelet is not a problem. I feel that the watch is so well engineered as to not be a problem for most people. My wrist size is an average 7.5in, and there are still a few mm of space between the lug ends and the edges of my wrist. I can see that this watch could actually suit a smaller wrist as well.

The other appeal of the PO black dial is, of course, that it's $2300 less than the PO Ti Liquidmetal. I already have a beautiful blue dial watch with the AT anyway.

The Sochi 2014 LE is very appealing as well, with a beautiful soled caseback. To be honest, the 2014 Olympics means very little to me, so it really would not be in my interest to have one of that LE model. But the accents are very subtle on this model, and it definitely is one of the more attractive LE models of late.

Goal for me for my next watch: October 2014. That is the month of my 65th birthday. I am at the point where my two watches, the Speedy and AT Skyfall suit me wonderfully well. By that time, Basel 2014 will have passed, and perhaps the new anti magnetic 8508 movement will be starting to appear in some other models as well. Lots to look forward to.

Edit: adding a YouTube link. Excellent short video which really demonstrates very well the looks of the model in real life:


Thanks for reading.

Cheers
Carl

[rxpete]

It's a great watch. I had the 45.5mm 2500 and sold it to get a 42mm 8500. I tried on both and ended up with the 45.5mm 8500. After 2 days I decided it was too big and exchanged it for the 42mm. It turns out the 2 sizes are different in more ways than just the size. The larger version has a more pronounced domed crystal. It has a beveled date cutout vs the plain cut out of the 42mm. The bezel also seemed darker in dim light vs the 42mm bezel which seems to be more reflective. Also, the proportions of thickness vs diameter work better on the 45.5mm. I'd love it if Omega made a 43.5 PO just like the new GMT PO.

[carl]

May 6, 2013 19:05:15 GMT -6 rxpete said:

It's a great watch. I had the 45.5mm 2500 and sold it to get a 42mm 8500. I tried on both and ended up with the 45.5mm 8500. After 2 days I decided it was too big and exchanged it for the 42mm. It turns out the 2 sizes are different in more ways than just the size. The larger version has a more pronounced domed crystal. It has a beveled date cutout vs the plain cut out of the 42mm. The bezel also seemed darker in dim light vs the 42mm bezel which seems to be more reflective. Also, the proportions of thickness vs diameter work better on the 45.5mm. I'd love it if Omega made a 43.5 PO just like the new GMT PO.

Hi rxpete,

Yes, I seem to remember one of your threads saying that you got the smaller PO.

I didn't notice the beveled cutout on the date window of the big size. Have to take a closer look next time. Gives me another excuse to go back there soon . You are definitely right on with the thickness vs diameter thing on the 45.5mm size. Now I realize why it actually felt more comfortable on my wrist than the 42mm. Makes sense.

I did get to see and try on the GMT. Now, that really is the perfect size. Certainly no more or less comfortable than the 45.5mm. I really think that size would suit most people, even those with a small wrist.

Must take a look at that crystal as well next time.

Funny how the different sizes can look different in the details. For example, you mention the bezel colour between the two. I looked at the new 41.5mm AT with the blue dial, and we compared it to my midsize 38.5mm. The bigger size dial looks lighter somehow, and maybe not as deep a blue. I realize they are identical in materials and colour, and I'm splitting hairs, but the size does make the difference.

If the PO was 43.5mm like the GMT, I would likely go for that size as well!

Cheers
Carl

[rxpete]

It's weird. The 45.5's bezel seemed to absorb light in dim settings and looked absolutely black. It was very cool. In lighter conditions, it was the typical gray color portrayed in photos. The 42mm's bezel is the same shade of fray in all settings. I was pretty disappointed when I discovered all the differences. At that point, there was no way I could ask for another exchange. Lol.
Ironically, when I changed from the bracelet to the oem rubber strap, the 42mm looked too small. I think that's why I bought the 45.5 initially. I tried it on the strap, but I bought it on the bracelet. The PO wears much larger on the bracelet than the strap.

[CHIP]

I had the 42mm orange bezel when it firs came out, back in 2005.
The orange got old quick and I sold it... bought a Breitling Chrono Avenger.

Now I miss it again lol.

[rxpete]

Carl, here's my PO.

Chip, I know what you mean, I miss my PO 2500 I sold to fund the 8500.

wristwatchforums.proboards.com/thread/9397/watch-on-fire

[carl]

May 6, 2013 20:24:30 GMT -6 rxpete said:

It's weird. The 45.5's bezel seemed to absorb light in dim settings and looked absolutely black. It was very cool. In lighter conditions, it was the typical gray color portrayed in photos. The 42mm's bezel is the same shade of fray in all settings. I was pretty disappointed when I discovered all the differences. At that point, there was no way I could ask for another exchange. Lol.
Ironically, when I changed from the bracelet to the oem rubber strap, the 42mm looked too small. I think that's why I bought the 45.5 initially. I tried it on the strap, but I bought it on the bracelet. The PO wears much larger on the bracelet than the strap.

Very weird about that bezel! Maybe I liked it a lot more this time, because I had the 45.5mm on my wrist. The very first of the new PO models I ever tried, was the Skyfall LE. Then the regular PO 42mm.

Interesting about the difference between the strap and the bracelet as well. I don't believe I ever tried on a PO with a strap. I just can't see myself ever wearing it on anything but the bracelet.

Must be a real dilemma for you now, although as I said, the PO looks perfect on your wrist.

I couldn't get over the fit of the 45.5mm one on my 7.5in wrist, though. My 45mm Breitling Seawolf felt way bigger. I really believe the comfort of the big size PO is better than the Rolex Sub 40mm that I tried. A year or so ago, I would never have believed that I would ever be saying that. Smaller size watches only for me! Just proof that you really have to try everything on before you make a judgment. I remember a couple of years back trying on a Rolex Deep Sea Dweller, and how uncomfortable it felt.

Cheers
Carl

[Baco Noir]

With the bigger watches, I think there are a few factors that come into play into how it wears. Those being the combination of the caseback height and curvature of the lugs and the balance between the watch head and bracelet. When the caseback fits closer to he case and the lugs curve to wrap the wrist, AND those curvatures match the shape of YOUR wrist, they can wear incredibly comfortable.

For my 45mm Helson, the lugs wrap nicely around my wrist and since it's Ti, I don't need a bracelet to balance out the weight of a heavy watch head.