What to do? PO or Bond SMP?

[Ozz]

In a few weeks time I will be travelling to Asia where the discounts are good :) I am planning to buy a new watch to keep my Speedmaster Pro company but seem to be stuck between two choices. It's going to be the black/white PO or the Blue Bond SMP (the non-coax).

My thoughts on this:
1) The PO is twice the price of the SMP. Money is not really the issue in my decsission but this is a big difference and I feel the SMP has much better price/quality ratio.
2) This watch will be used in rough conditions, outdoor sport activities, catamaran sailing.. the PO looks somehow too dressy for this, I don't want to baby the watch, or have the feeling that I need to protect it. On the other side, i also want to wear it with a suit, the PO is better for that.
3) I like the looks of the PO much more then the SMP and Iam afraid that when i choose 'rationally' for the SMP I will regret it every time i look at the watch and think, 'I also could have bought the PO, it's looks much nicer' - I have the feeling that this will happen.
4) The colors of the PO and Speedmaster are very much alike so I will have two rather similar watches. I like the sporty effect of the the blue SMP and the fact that it's another color watch then I already have.


All in all, I think I will end up with the PO because of argument #3, but have still some doubts. Problems, problems... ;-)

Anybody who has other agruments for one of the two watches or stronly advises me in a certain direction? Thanks.

Oz.

[rescue diver]

Hi Oz,

how about a SMP with a PO caseback?:-d

Look here: http://forums.watchuseek.com/showthread.php?t=51133

[Colin T]

Have you considered a black SMP - it's appearance could be described as half way between the two models you've shortlisted (although clearly this is subject to personal perception). I just thought it might help address your point 3 and might fit the bill for both sports and suit in your point 2.

I don't mean to confuse matters, just my thinking.

the reference is 2254.50 and it looks like this:

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p77/colintattam/fe3f_1.jpg

[ramnj]

Ozz,

You might want to check this review.

http://home.xnet.com/~cmaddox/omega/articles/downtown_mike/PO_vs_SeMP/review.htm

[Ferrari 312T]

I faced the same issue as you noted in point 3 and went with the PO. I have not regretted it for a minute.

Save for the extra. In a year it won't have seemed like a lot of money.

[eptaz]

Hi Oz,

how about a SMP with a PO caseback?:-d

Look here: http://forums.watchuseek.com/showthread.php?t=51133
As I noted in that thread, there's nothing wrong with that SMPCh. The caseback is correct for the new model.

I hope buyers aren't scared away by the other posts.

eric

[rescue diver]

As I noted in that thread, there's nothing wrong with that SMPCh. The caseback is correct for the new model.

I hope buyers aren't scared away by the other posts.

eric

Thank you, Eric for updating us:-!

[eptaz]

Thank you, Eric for updating us:-!
No problem at all. I was just getting worried that the seller was going to have trouble selling it under suspicion.

eric

[rescue diver]

No problem at all. I was just getting worried that the seller was going to have trouble selling it under suspicion.

eric

Nope, I was just a little suspicious somehowb-)

[Ozz]

Thanks everybody for reacting!

RescueDiver: LOL, would have thought it was a frankenwatch as well :)

ColinT: Yes I checked the Black SMP, it was even on my 'list of 4' before I went down to a choice between 2, together with the SMP GMT. I decided to skip the black SMP because I thought that when I was going to buy a black faced watch anyway, I would buy the PO for certain. I skipped the GMT because for that money I rather have the PO.
It seems that it is the blue and the sportiveness that attracts most in the Bond SMP compared with similar priced models.

Ramnj: Yep have read that review as well, interesting stuff and propably the same outcome I will have :)

Ferrari 312: I understand completely, the money is not really the issue at the moment, the thing is that the Bond SMP is also a very goodlooking and quality watch for half the price, that means more money for more other watches :-d. On the other hand I rather have one VERY nice one then 2 'second choices'.


LOL, reading my answers above it looks like Iam just looking for more justifications to go for the PO!! My gutfeeling already says it will go that way and I guess that's always the best way to go.

BTW anybody has proven 'tricks' to pass customs on my way back? I don't feel like paying the extra taxes. I think I will just wear it and send the box home via post.

Cheers,
Oz.

[opava5]

Hey Ozz:

I have both - and if money isn't really an issue go that way. On the other hand, if you only want one, go with the PO. When I first purchased mine I too thought it might be too dressy for outdoor activities. It's not. In fact, I like the contrast of wearing a "kind of dressy" watch with a pair of jeans and a t-shirt.

In a few weeks time I will be travelling to Asia where the discounts are good :) I am planning to buy a new watch to keep my Speedmaster Pro company but seem to be stuck between two choices. It's going to be the black/white PO or the Blue Bond SMP (the non-coax).

My thoughts on this:
1) The PO is twice the price of the SMP. Money is not really the issue in my decsission but this is a big difference and I feel the SMP has much better price/quality ratio.
2) This watch will be used in rough conditions, outdoor sport activities, catamaran sailing.. the PO looks somehow too dressy for this, I don't want to baby the watch, or have the feeling that I need to protect it. On the other side, i also want to wear it with a suit, the PO is better for that.
3) I like the looks of the PO much more then the SMP and Iam afraid that when i choose 'rationally' for the SMP I will regret it every time i look at the watch and think, 'I also could have bought the PO, it's looks much nicer' - I have the feeling that this will happen.
4) The colors of the PO and Speedmaster are very much alike so I will have two rather similar watches. I like the sporty effect of the the blue SMP and the fact that it's another color watch then I already have.


All in all, I think I will end up with the PO because of argument #3, but have still some doubts. Problems, problems... ;-)

Anybody who has other agruments for one of the two watches or stronly advises me in a certain direction? Thanks.

Oz.

[Ozz]

Hey Ozz:

I have both - and if money isn't really an issue go that way. On the other hand, if you only want one, go with the PO. When I first purchased mine I too thought it might be too dressy for outdoor activities. It's not. In fact, I like the contrast of wearing a "kind of dressy" watch with a pair of jeans and a t-shirt.

Hey Opava,
Well..:-)..money is only not an issue when choosing between the 2. I would love to buy both at the same time but that would be a bit over the top. If only for keeping the peace at home :-d. And if money REALLY was no issue I can think of other watches I like as well (a Brequet marine would be nice).

You are absolutely right about the good contrast when wearing a kind of dressy watch with casual clothes, I like that a lot as well. But in some kind of way the PO looks to good to be abused. On the other side, I think a watch is for using and wearing and I do not mind scratches or signs of use.

I have seen and tried the PO in real life and it feels like a beefy, strong watch that looks like it can handle abuse, but there is something fragile about it as well, maybe because I see so many very nice close-up pictures here on this forum.

Cheers.

[opava5]

Hey Ozz:

I hear you - first and foremost keep peace in the home ;-) . I really felt the same way as you when it came to the PO being too nice, dressy, etc. After having worn it for the last 3 weeks I can tell you it is the perfect watch. Since my last post I've been wearing my Bond SMP and I really miss the PO. Go with the PO my friend, you won't regret it. Get the bracelet and the rubber strap. There's no watch that looks better on a rubber strap then the PO. :gold

Hey Opava,
Well..:-)..money is only not an issue when choosing between the 2. I would love to buy both at the same time but that would be a bit over the top. If only for keeping the peace at home :-d.

Cheers.

[Ozz]

Hey Ozz:

...Get the bracelet and the rubber strap. There's no watch that looks better on a rubber strap then the PO. :gold


That's exactly what I had in mind as well, it certainly does really look good on the rubber strap, and seeing the pictures in another thread (http://forums.watchuseek.com/showthread.php?t=51131) with a honey croco strap.. that also looks good! Never thought I would like a black-brown combo.

Think I just made up my mind :-) But my soon to be PO should also prepare for some abuse, life of a sports watch isn't just milk and honey :)))

Cheers.

[opava5]

I don't think you'll b-) regret it. Post some pictures when it arrives.

That's exactly what I had in mind as well, it certainly does really look good on the rubber strap, and seeing the pictures in another thread (http://forums.watchuseek.com/showthread.php?t=51131) with a honey croco strap.. that also looks good! Never thought I would like a black-brown combo.

Think I just made up my mind :-) But my soon to be PO should also prepare for some abuse, life of a sports watch isn't just milk and honey :)))

Cheers.

[Ozz]

I don't think you'll b-) regret it. Post some pictures when it arrives.

It will take some weeks until I go there and purchase it, and after that some weeks until i'll be back in Europe, but I will post pics :)

In the mean time I have no problems with you guys envying me with pics of other PO's :) Thanks.

Cheers,
Oz.

[Eagle]

I own both the SMP and PO.

If I was forced to sell all of my watches, I'd keep the PO (although it'd be a wrench losing the B-1)

Go PO! It's the best looking watch on the planet in my opinion. :-! b-)

No contest...

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y102/pbr/seamastercards3.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y102/pbr/planetocean_studio.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y102/pbr/planetocean_sand.jpg

_

[jason52]

Ozz,

I went through the exact same dilemna last week! I really wanted a Bond GMT because it had everything I was looking for...including the sapphire caseback so I could see that beautiful movement. At one point I was also considering the Broad Arrow GMT because of the chrono function. I figured if I get everything I want in 1 watch and spend a little more, then I wouldn't have buyers remorse. Then I saw the 45mm black PO. It just called to me. The face was clean of subdials and just looked sporty. In fact, I bought the diver strap which completely changes the look of the watch IMHO, which makes it seem like I got 2 for the price of 1. It is also very accurate. I think that this "simple" watch will be an Omega classic down the road. As far as quality to price ratio, I think a little edge goes to the PO. IMO the quality seems better in the PO because it is and so it costs more. It is also relatively new and has a coaxial movement and 3 year warranty. Everything said in these forums are all in the eye of the beholder. As I said earlier, the PO just spoke to me and I still can't stop looking at it. Good luck.

[Ozz]

Thanks!

Eagle: Aaargh, there you are again with those amazing pictures of your PO. Yes, it IS a very goodlooking and fotogenic (english?) watch. Thanks!

Jason52: The Bond GMT was on my list for exactly the same reason, the displayback. But also for the same reasons that you mention I fancy the PO, clean and sporty, besides, as you said, including diverstrap that is 2 watches for 1. And yes, the PO will be a future classic :-!

Thanks.
Oz.