Sorry for the lack of updates.
I am currently testing out 3 straps on my PAM000 and getting ready for a review.
Anyway, SIHH 2013 (Salon International De La Haute Horlogerie) is upon us.
And I have been following the updates around forums closely.
One piece of news that caught my attention was the release of a new Royal Oak Offshore Ceramic Diver.
Word has it that the Forged Carbon Diver will be discontinued.
I really liked the Forged Carbon Diver but the pricing is waaaaay up there at USD30,000.
According to Hodinkee, this Ceramic Diver will retail at USD21,800 which is still up there but at least it's something to aim for.
The watch now has a titanium caseback with sapphire exhibition!!
Water resistance is unchanged at 300m as well as the AP caliber 3120 movement.
One thing that bugs me about the older divers is the rubberclad crowns (no idea how long those will last)
Now, for this model, it's been upgraded to ceramic crowns... I like it... very much.
Live pictures do show the watch in a better light than the stock photos. At 1st glance, I was kinda disappointed with the orange accents as I preferred yellow but now the orange is warming up to me.
Oh boy do I like to be able to own one.
Well, one can always dream.
Pictures borrowed shamelessly from the internet and credit goes to the original owners.
Surprise surprise... Did not think that this will be my 1st purchase of 2013.
Omega Seamaster Titanium Ref:2231.50.
A friend wanted to off load this and he let me have the 1st right of refusal, couldn't say no.
As far as I know, for this particular reference... there is a choice of electric blue dial or this one... the grey dial.
Dial features wavy textures that did not seem to show in these pics... I need to improve my photography skills...
Legibility is excellent with contrasting painted markers and sword shaped hands.
Newer watches now mostly have applied markers with white gold surrounds.
The whole watch is made of titanium.
This includes the bracelet and clasp... which makes this watch really light. Featherweight if you like.
Bracelets is nicely made.
Now, most people like to compare Omega watch bracelets with Rolex watch bracelets.
In my opinion, Omega makes a better bracelet, but Rolex makes more comfortable bracelets.
The clasp.
Single fold type.
Divers Extension.
Crown signed with the Omega Logo.
This picture shows it fully fastened.
Would have liked the logo aligned with the case but it was not to be.
The Helium Escape Valve... would have like it to be signed with a "He" instead of the same Omega Logo to differentiate between the crown and helium escape valve.
(Worth mentioning is that the newer Omega watches now signs the Helium Escape Valves with "He")
Standard caseback engraving for Omega... The Sea Monster and wavy texture representing the sea perhaps?
Powering this watch is the Omega Caliber 1120.
It's basically a reworked ETA 2892-A2.
Winding is smooth and timekeeping is within COSC... well, expected since it's a COSC Certified movement.
Dial printing is crisp and clear.
As stated, watch is water resistant to 30atm....
I believe this particular reference have been discontinued since 2006/2007.
My friend found this in new old stock in Hong Kong.
A way to tell if it's true is to look at the sweeping seconds hand.
It this watch is well worn, the red tip of the hands will start to fade and turn orange.
This is still bright red. So, this watch most probably haven't seen much surf and sun...
Overall, I am really pleased with the quality and built of this watch.
Watch is so light that I feel like I am not wearing anything.
41mm case size with 11mm height makes this watch easy to wear under shirt cuffs. Dress up or down... no problems.
This was an impulse buy which I think I will flip when the need arise for funding a new piece.
Lets see how it goes.
Wishing all the readers a Happy New Year.
Kid's will be starting school tomorrow so things will be back to my normal routine.
Looking forward to an exciting 2013!!
