Seamaster Chrono Titanium 2293.52.00 vs 2993.52.91

[SundanceXY]

Hello all,

this is my first post in this forum so please bear with me...

A few years ago I first saw the titanium Omega Seamaster Chrono 300m with black bezel and titanium bracelet and instantly fell in love when I tried it on at my local dealer. However, by then I did not have the spare money to buy the watch (official list price was 4.800US$... :think:).

Now I found out that the watch is being discontinued and not available anymore with the original titanium bracelet. Fortunately, my local dealer is able to still order a 2293.52.00 (http://www.omega.ch/index.php?id=287&details=1&ref=22935200&no_cache=1) (the page is still on the Omega web site but the links have been removed so it's only available if you call the page directly) at a good rebate and I do have the money available. Now my questions are...



Does anyone know what the difference is between this model and the one that is currently being sold as 2993.52.91 (http://www.omega.ch/index.php?id=287&details=1&ref=29935291&no_cache=1)? They seem to be identical except for the bracelet.




In what year did Omega cease to produce the 2293.52 model and how do I find out how old the watch is that my dealer is able to order?




Are there any problems with watches that have been lying around in their box for a year or more?




How is the ref. no. structured? I.e. what do the first, the second and the last digits mean? Does the varying first number 2293/2993 suggest that the movements are not identical?




Does anyone know what the reason might be that Omega ceases production of this really beautiful watch?


Well, and after reading the discussion around the calibre 3301 I also wanted to ask if there have been reports of defective movements built in the years 2007/2008.

Thanks for any help,

Philipp

[GavH]

How is the ref. no. structured? I.e. what do the first, the second and the last digits mean? Does the varying first number 2293/2993 suggest that the movements are not identical?

Welcome to the forum. I can't help you with any of your questions except the one above.

You can find a rough guide to model numbers on the Chronocentric site here:

http://chronocentric.com/omega/seamaster.shtml#modelnumbers

Hope this helps.

[eptaz]

Welcome to the forum. I'll try to help out as well as I can.
Now my questions are...


Does anyone know what the difference is between this model and the one that is currently being sold as 2993.52.91 (http://www.omega.ch/index.php?id=287&details=1&ref=29935291&no_cache=1)? They seem to be identical except for the bracelet.

Correct, they are identical, except for the bracelet.

In what year did Omega cease to produce the 2293.52 model and how do I find out how old the watch is that my dealer is able to order?

It's been in the last 2-3 years. You could keep your eye on the Sales Forums (maybe post a "Want To Buy"), and ebay. If you're really ambitious, start calling other dealers.

Are there any problems with watches that have been lying around in their box for a year or more?

A watch sitting in the box for a year shouldn't cause any problems.

How is the ref. no. structured? I.e. what do the first, the second and the last digits mean? Does the varying first number 2293/2993 suggest that the movements are not identical?

Unfortunately, Omega doesn't make it that easy, and their use of reference numbers is inconsistent.

Does anyone know what the reason might be that Omega ceases production of this really beautiful watch?

No, but over the last several years, Omega has phased out titanium.
Well, and after reading the discussion around the calibre 3301 I also wanted to ask if there have been reports of defective movements built in the years 2007/2008.
On this point, I would simply suggest you really take your time and do your research, before you make your decision.

Hope that helps. Good luck!

eric

[SundanceXY]

thanks for the quick reply!

A watch sitting in the box for a year shouldn't cause any problems.

ok, which brings me to another question. The only reason to use a watch winder is to keep the watch running? Storage for a long time is no problem?

It's been in the last 2-3 years. You could keep your eye on the Sales Forums (maybe post a "Want To Buy"), and ebay. If you're really ambitious, start calling other dealers.

Well, I already found a dealer who is able to order the watch. I would just like to know how to find out the year of production. Is there a way to tell that from the serial number?

I also wonder if boxes are sealed or if I have to trust the dealer that the watch is unused.

Should there be a high rebate if I order a watch that's already a year or two or even three years old?

Thanks,

Philipp

[eptaz]

Happy to help, Philipp.
ok, which brings me to another question. The only reason to use a watch winder is to keep the watch running? Storage for a long time is no problem?
Correct.
A year or so? No I sure wouldn't think so.
Well, I already found a dealer who is able to order the watch. I would just like to know how to find out the year of production. Is there a way to tell that from the serial number?
Unfortunately, Omega doesn't make it easy to date more recently manufactured watches. If it's from an Authorized Dealer, the warranty period should begin the day you purchase it.
I also wonder if boxes are sealed or if I have to trust the dealer that the watch is unused.
Watches ship from Omega separate from the boxes the owners receive. So, yeah, I guess you have to trust the dealer.
Should there be a high rebate if I order a watch that's already a year or two or even three years old?
That's between you and the dealer, but I doubt it.

Hope that helps,
eric

[SundanceXY]

Eric, thanks again for the answers provided! I really appreciate this. Two weeks ago I sent most of my original questions to Omega via their web site but did not receive an answer yet which I personally find very disappointing.

Maybe they are being swamped with requests but here they have a person sending in a few questions about a 4.900$ watch who is obviously interested in buying and there is no response at all?

Well, I did receive an answer to another question I sent a few days earlier. I asked why there was no German language version of their web site. (Which I find rather strange for being a Swiss Company)

The answer was that their Asian market is bigger so they were working on this language version first and maybe(!) there will be a German version next year. Wow - they even have a russian language version! I wonder what impression this makes to a potential customer looking for a Swiss watch. It seems like the company cannot sell or is not interested in selling in their own market.

Guess with all their advertising Omega is at a stage where they don't really have to care too much about customer relations as people are buying anyway.

I will still order this watch because of the quality of the product and because I am really happy with the Omega that I have owned since 1997. However, my next watch will definitely be a Sinn. People there are still a lot more down to earth and at least there I know that I am not paying for their advertisement (as there is none, the products sell purely because of word of mouth and their good reputation for quality).

I'm going to post a picture when the watch has arrived as well as any reports if things go wrong.

Cheers,

Philipp