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Dent99
June 26th, 2008, 01:33
Long-time lurker, first time poster...

Just wondered if any of the non-LE Bonds had hit ADs anywhere yet?

I'm in the UK and had heard the LE Bond had been reaching ADs in London, so I figured there would be some lag as to when the rest of the country would get them, but I thought I'd take a chance at one of my local ADs and see if they had any to try on etc. Low and behold they did have the LE Bond, in fact they have sold seven already. They also have both the regular black co-axial and quartz models, as well as a smaller ladies version which were delivered today, all of which I tried on, bar the latter!

Initially I has somewhat hesitant to Omega's move to black, because a) the knock-off's are often black, and b) it lessens the differentiation between Rolex and Omega divers IMO. I thought I'd hate them but I was more than impressed by all three versions, the black really works with styling of the watch and the hour indices really stand out on the black dial. Additionally, while the red 'Seamaster' looks ok on the blue Bond it looks REALLY good on the black.

As for the LE, I'm a HUGE Bond fan, the books, the films, you name it, if its Bond, I'll probably love it, but 007 emblazoned watches are nothing less than tacky. However I think the gloss dial really enhances the dial, and the black-gold (or whatever we are calling it) surrounds on the indices adds another touch of refinement. I also noticed that the white printing on the standard dials looked somewhat less flat than on the my blue model, i.e. the waves made it looked raised. That remains only a minor gripe on an otherwise very good looking watch.

I've been noticing some speculation that the blue model will be dicontinued in favour of the black so I thought I'd ask the AD about this and she said "Omega will never be discontinuing the blue Seamaster". Whilst you should never say never, I find it somewhat reassuring to hear that Omega is sticking with the classic. She also said the black IS the replacement for the 2254 because, according to her, that watch is not as popular a seller as the Bond, and that "everyone" was asking for the Bond in black. Based on my preferences I find that easy to believe, however scanning several watch forums the 2254 seems a VERY popular model, with new owners popping up left right and centre. Of course some of that could account for panic-buying at the suggestion it is being discontinued, but regardless the AD's comment doesn't seem to tally entirely. I did ask for a 2008 catalogue to confirm if the 2254 was absent but alas, they have not had their delivery yet.

So has anyone else had a chance to try these on yet? The AD said they were expecting the regular models around November and were surprised when their Head Office sent them in, so I guess they are on their way sooner than thought. All I know is I'm converted - but still like the blue better!

ALEXANDER999
June 26th, 2008, 02:22
Thanks for the info ..very much appreciated. I was told that the 2220.80 will be slowly phased out for the new black seamasters.

What was your opinion between the LE and the Black seamaster --If you were to purchase one which would you buy?

And since you saw the LE ..I would like to know ...Is it a great looking watch that requires a second look OR is it the 007 that gives you the 2nd look because it is tacky?

Cheers and thanks for your input

Dent99
June 26th, 2008, 03:01
No worries - I was excited after seeing these watches when I thought I'd be waiting up to 6 months and needed to tell someone seeing as my girlfriend's interest in watches isn't on a par with mine to say the least!

If I were to buy a black Bond, and I do intend to sometime down the road, I think it will inevitably be the non-LE version just because I cannot tolerate the 007 counterbalance because it is subtle yet garish at the same time and spoils what I feel is otherwise perfect. I don't think the wave dial looks half as good as the glossy LE dial, so in an ideal world, if I had the patience and the means, I would buy the regular black Bond and swap in the LE dial. But for the sake of convenience it has to be the non-LE, which still looks great.

As for your question on the LE, it is a great looking watch in and of itself, and well deserving of a second look. Maybe some people will think the overall look outweights the tackiness of the 007 counterbalance, but to some it is simply not an issue, it isn't as in-your-face as the Bond 40th Anniversary model. My AD said they had sold their first LE black Bond within an hour of putting it in the window.

eptaz
June 26th, 2008, 16:13
Welcome to the forum, and thanks for the report, Dent. It's good to hear further confirmation that the classic Blue Bond will be sticking around.

eric

hiro1963
June 26th, 2008, 16:36
I think someone at TZ received a 2008 catalog. The Blue Bond is not listed in it. Maybe Omega changed their mind again?

- Hiro

ALEXANDER999
June 26th, 2008, 17:12
Yes ..I have the 2008 customer catalog and the 2220.80 is not included

J.Bond
June 26th, 2008, 17:16
Glad to hear the 2220.80 will continue production.

~JB

eptaz
June 26th, 2008, 17:30
Yes ..I have the 2008 customer catalog and the 2220.80 is not included
Glad to hear the 2220.80 will continue production.

~JB
Well, we've had conflicting stories on the ol' Blue Bond. Here (http://forums.watchuseek.com/showthread.php?t=139124) is a report that the Blue is being discontinued, and here (http://forums.watchuseek.com/showthread.php?t=141940) we have a report that it's not. Both come from reliable sources. So...I guess we'll just have to wait and see. I tell you, though, it would be a real shame to lose the classic Blue.

eric

Nick1016
June 26th, 2008, 18:21
Well, we've had conflicting stories on the ol' Blue Bond. Here (http://forums.watchuseek.com/showthread.php?t=139124) is a report that the Blue is being discontinued, and here (http://forums.watchuseek.com/showthread.php?t=141940) we have a report that it's not. Both come from reliable sources. So...I guess we'll just have to wait and see. I tell you, though, it would be a real shame to lose the classic Blue.

eric

Agreed it would be a shame...how can you discontinue a face like this?

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee59/nick1016/Bond%20SMP/Watches011.jpg

It seems to me that the 2220.80 and new non-LE black bond compliment each other really well and it wouldn't make a ton of sense to discontinue the blue model. But the folks at Omega have figured out how to make a lot of money in the watch business, so I'm sure they know what they're doing.

gg4411
June 26th, 2008, 23:45
Honestly,
I have put off buying a seamaster BECAUSE of the blue wavy face. Not for me <|. Once the black faced version comes out you can guarantee it on my wrist :-!.

Nick1016
June 27th, 2008, 00:29
Honestly,
I have put off buying a seamaster BECAUSE of the blue wavy face. Not for me <|. Once the black faced version comes out you can guarantee it on my wrist :-!.

Plenty of black seamasters out there already--is it the co-ax movement/bond hands you're after?

Dent99
June 27th, 2008, 20:22
Well, we've had conflicting stories on the ol' Blue Bond. Here (http://forums.watchuseek.com/showthread.php?t=139124) is a report that the Blue is being discontinued, and here (http://forums.watchuseek.com/showthread.php?t=141940) we have a report that it's not. Both come from reliable sources. So...I guess we'll just have to wait and see. I tell you, though, it would be a real shame to lose the classic Blue.

eric

Thanks for the welcome Eric.

Well I don't know how much I would agree that an AD is reliable source - but you'd like to think so!

I went in another AD this afternoon and asked them if the Blue Bond is being discontinued and they said "that is a good question". :roll: So she had a flick through the new catalogue and said it must be discontinued if its not in there. Very helpful stuff.

I don't know quite how to feel about the discontinuation of the Blue, I think it is very synonamous with the brand, and unlike the albeit very nice black version, offers a bigger contrast against Rolex's Submariner. Or maybe they have this in mind and Omega think closing the gap between the two popular diver models may help them grab Rolex's coat-tails and poach a similar audience?

If Omega do want to push the black version, would it be feasible to keep the blue in the range but released in limited quantities? Not a fancy numbered 'limited edition' as such, but a capped production where it is not pumped out in the quantities we are used to - giving the black a chance to breath but without killing the market for the blue.

What do others think, should Omega stick with both black and blue, or draw a line under a very popular line, look back fondly and move on to new things?

amc22
June 28th, 2008, 14:41
I love my blue bond, it has been through a lot with me.....it'll be a real shame if they discontinue it....it has, after all, only been out a short time...


Best regards,
Andrew