Posted: 5/3/2009 4:44:43 PM EDT
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As soon as I find a few more aluminum cans on the side of the road, I'm probably gonna get an Omega Aqua Terra. Should have enough cans by Christmas. I had tentatively decided on a Fortis, but I'd like something smaller and lighter. This will pretty much be a daily wear watch - except for work. Decided: 1. Steel case 2. Teck-grey dial 3. Steel band Undecided/questions: 1. What are the advantages/disadvantages between the quartz and automatic? I'm leaning toward the quartz for the simple fact that I may not wear it for long periods of time - not interested (for now) in a winder. 2. Is the quartz lighter than the auto? 3. Is the quartz thinner than the auto? 4. What are the advantages/disadvantages between buying from a local dealer as compared to Amazondotcom? Prices sure are cheaper online. 5. How bright is the glow-in-the-dark stuff? I wish they made a day-date model. Tough finding the above answers on the Web. Thanks. |
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I wear a Seamaster Professional which I am very happy with.
It glows pretty bright at night time (once your eyes have adjusted to the darkness). I love it. Mine's an automatic, and I can't tell you much about the quartz models. ETA: I used to own a Rolex Submariner, and I honestly believe the Omega Seamaster Professional is a nicer watch. |
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Quoted: I wear a Seamaster Professional which I am very happy with. It glows pretty bright at night time (once your eyes have adjusted to the darkness). I love it. Mine's an automatic, and I can't tell you much about the quartz models. ETA: I used to own a Rolex Submariner, and I honestly believe the Omega Seamaster Professional is a nicer watch. Do you find it heavier than a Sub? Thanks. |
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I also have an Omega Seamaster Professional - 2254.50. It is very bright and easy to see - the dial is based on an old Ministry of Defense design.
They are great watches and wear nicely on the wrist. On the Seamasters, the steel is a little cheaper than the Rolex, so it is more scratch prone. The upside is the clasp is far superior than the stamped piece on a Submariner. Buying a watch like this, buy the automatic for the history and prestige (I know...Omega is just glorified Swatch!) - people who are into watches buy the automatic if it is offered. Quartz watches have a place...on things like Gshocks 
A place like Amazon or Jomashop sells gray market watches - the watch companies only sell through dealers so they can control the price (typical discount is 20-30% off retail, no more). Gray market watches do not have a warranty through the manufacturer, and may have serial numbers removed. That being said, they are a great bargain if you know what you want and where to look. \\ addendum - On the Omega's, you can always send it to the factory (Swiss one, preferably) to be serviced, even if gray market. Servicing should be done every few years anyway, so the warranty isn't a big deal. |
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I wear a Seamaster Professional which I am very happy with. It glows pretty bright at night time (once your eyes have adjusted to the darkness). I love it. Mine's an automatic, and I can't tell you much about the quartz models. ETA: I used to own a Rolex Submariner, and I honestly believe the Omega Seamaster Professional is a nicer watch. Do you find it heavier than a Sub? Thanks. It's a lot heavier than a Submariner - but I actually like that. Submariners used to be a lot heavier than they are now. I don't think Rolex is making the cases out of the same grade of steel they used to, which I don't like. The new ones feel flimsy to me. |
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Quoted: Honestly, buying a Quartz Omega is kind of foolish. I agree. A quartz is more accurate, just like a Timex is. A mechanical Omega is a work of art. I would buy from an authorized dealer, so that you get full warranty. Also, you won't get a counterfeit. I have an Omega SeaMaster Planet Ocean, and love it.
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Quoted: Quoted: Honestly, buying a Quartz Omega is kind of foolish. 'splain. In just about every way that's important in regard to the movement itself, a quartz watch is a quartz watch is a quartz watch. A Seiko quartz will function just as well, and just as accurately as an Omega. Personally, I like automatics. But that's just me. I'm planning on picking up an Omega Seamaster one of these days... just haven't gotten around to spending that particular money yet. But it will be soon! |
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ETA: I used to own a Rolex Submariner, and I honestly believe the Omega Seamaster Professional is a nicer watch. Really? I don't have either, but have been considering either a Seamaster or a Sub. What qualities do you think differentiates the Seamaster from the Sub? |
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As the above posters have noted, paying Premium Watch prices for a Quartz Watch just doesn't make any sense.
I would have a difficult time paying more than $400 for a Quartz Watch. A Quartz Action in an Omega Case just seems wrong. It doesn't really seem like an Omega (and won't have the resale value of a Mechanical Omega). |
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ETA: I used to own a Rolex Submariner, and I honestly believe the Omega Seamaster Professional is a nicer watch. I have a titanium seamaster and I love it. I also have a rolex sub and IMO, the Omega is better quality, although I prefer the Submariners style Had the Omega since 1999 and the Sub since 2002. Omega has never missed a beat but the rolex has been in one for losing time (in warranty) My wifes rolex has also had to be sent back to the shop for the same reason. |
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ETA: I used to own a Rolex Submariner, and I honestly believe the Omega Seamaster Professional is a nicer watch. Really? I don't have either, but have been considering either a Seamaster or a Sub. What qualities do you think differentiates the Seamaster from the Sub? Like I said, I have owned both. The Submariner I owned was a 1988 vintage, sold it about ten years ago (for every penny I paid for it - it really held its value!). Then I picked up my Seamaster Pro about seven years ago. I liked my old Submariner, but like I said the new ones just don't feel the same to me when I pick one up and hold it. I swear they are made of a flimsier grade of steel nowadays. The Seamaster is massively overbuilt and powerful which I like, and as Mazeman has noted it is a mechanical work of art. I like the Mercedes hands on the Submariner better than the hands on the Seamaster, but that's about all. |
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Quoted: As the above posters have noted, paying Premium Watch prices for a Quartz Watch just doesn't make any sense. I would have a difficult time paying more than $400 for a Quartz Watch. A Quartz Action in an Omega Case just seems wrong. It doesn't really seem like an Omega (and won't have the resale value of a Mechanical Omega). I didn't know this. Fact is, I'm not concerned about the lineage/tradition/etc. of a watch. I just want to quality watch. As before though, I wasn't aware the quality is different between a quartz and auto Omega - internal wise. This will require some research... |
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Fact is, I'm not concerned about the lineage/tradition/etc. of a watch. I just want to quality watch. That depends on how you define "quality". If by quality, you mean accuracy, then even the cheapest quartz watch will keep better time than an expensive mechanical. If, on the other hand, by quality you mean artistry, resale value, and heirloom potential, that's a different story. Here's one man's opinion about the luxury, or quality, of various watch brands (scroll down on page). The upper tier ones will hold their value, if not increase in value. When I bought my quartz Tag Heuer 12 years ago, I thought it was the cat's pajamas. Now, I'd be lucky if I could get 20% of what I paid for it. Don't get me wrong, it's a great watch. But that kind of depreciation doesn't happen with Omegas or Rolexes, let alone Blancpains.
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I have two Omega's which I inherited... they are older than me and keep perfect time, I am basically of retirement age. Nice avatar. One of the original German made PPKs? You have excellent taste in pistols too. ETA: Now is the time when Six Two must head for the rack and the land of dreams. Goodnight John Boy. Goodnight Mary Ellen. Six Two out. |
| My beater watch is a Swiss Army Chrono Classic. It's a quartz movement with a sapphire crystal and a titanium case and bracelet. Very light weight, the crystal doesn't scratch and it has chrono functions. I picked it up with AMEX points but they go for less than $500. As someone said earlier, I wouldn't pay a premium for a quartz watch. If you are going to get an Omega get an automatic. If you want a quartz, Swiss Army and Tissot make great quality ones. |
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Quoted: Fact is, I'm not concerned about the lineage/tradition/etc. of a watch. I just want to quality watch. That depends on how you define "quality". If by quality, you mean accuracy, then even the cheapest quartz watch will keep better time than an expensive mechanical. If, on the other hand, by quality you mean artistry, resale value, and heirloom potential, that's a different story. Here's one man's opinion about the luxury, or quality, of various watch brands (scroll down on page). The upper tier ones will hold their value, if not increase in value. When I bought my quartz Tag Heuer 12 years ago, I thought it was the cat's pajamas. Now, I'd be lucky if I could get 20% of what I paid for it. Don't get me wrong, it's a great watch. But that kind of depreciation doesn't happen with Omegas or Rolexes, let alone Blancpains. I'm getting an edumacation here...thanks. |
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Quoted: My beater watch is a Swiss Army Chrono Classic. It's a quartz movement with a sapphire crystal and a titanium case and bracelet. Very light weight, the crystal doesn't scratch and it has chrono functions. I picked it up with AMEX points but they go for less than $500. As someone said earlier, I wouldn't pay a premium for a quartz watch. If you are going to get an Omega get an automatic. If you want a quartz, Swiss Army and Tissot make great quality ones. Thanks. FWIW, not looking for extra functions - just a plain watch. Actually, right now I'm wearing a Citizen Eco Drive Railroad watch. The size and weight are just about perfect. |
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My beater watch is a Swiss Army Chrono Classic. It's a quartz movement with a sapphire crystal and a titanium case and bracelet. Very light weight, the crystal doesn't scratch and it has chrono functions. I picked it up with AMEX points but they go for less than $500. As someone said earlier, I wouldn't pay a premium for a quartz watch. If you are going to get an Omega get an automatic. If you want a quartz, Swiss Army and Tissot make great quality ones. Thanks. FWIW, not looking for extra functions - just a plain watch. Actually, right now I'm wearing a Citizen Eco Drive Railroad watch. The size and weight are just about perfect. Eco Drives are damn fine watches. They also have just about any style you could imagine. I plan on getting one as my next Watch (The two-fer deal on this page). Another alternative (which the Watch Snobs hate) is an Invicta. One of my friends picked up a an Invicta Submariner clone, Japanese Mechanical action, synthetic Crystal for $80 from Chronoshark. It has next to zero appeal to anyone who knows premium watches, but it's a cheap way to get into a mechanical action (and the Japanese actions aren't bad). Nice beater watches. Aside from Swiss Mechanical Actions, all of the true Premium Watches have Genuine Sapphire Crystals. Synthetic is a cost cutting move. |
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Fact is, I'm not concerned about the lineage/tradition/etc. of a watch. I just want to quality watch. That depends on how you define "quality". If by quality, you mean accuracy, then even the cheapest quartz watch will keep better time than an expensive mechanical. If, on the other hand, by quality you mean artistry, resale value, and heirloom potential, that's a different story. Here's one man's opinion about the luxury, or quality, of various watch brands (scroll down on page). The upper tier ones will hold their value, if not increase in value. When I bought my quartz Tag Heuer 12 years ago, I thought it was the cat's pajamas. Now, I'd be lucky if I could get 20% of what I paid for it. Don't get me wrong, it's a great watch. But that kind of depreciation doesn't happen with Omegas or Rolexes, let alone Blancpains. One way to look at Quartz v. Automatic is like a Wood Stock v. Synthetic on a rifle. Functionally, the Synthetic is better in every way. But some people like the craftsmanship of a Wood Stock, the quality of the finish, the grain of the wood, hand cut checkering. Maybe they don't want every rifle they own to be like that, but they want one of their rifles to be an example of that sort of craftsmanship. Watches are alot like guns in that respect. |
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Speedmaster has a day/date. Model #3221.30.00 is all steel.
(I've not been a fan of the steel and gold combos Omega puts on their professional series. YMMV, of course, but there are Speedmasters with steel and gold if that's what you want.) I've worn my Omega Seamaster 300M for over ten years now. I love it. I had a Rolex before it, and it was a nice watch, but EVERYONE knew what it was. This made for some awkward situations in bad neighborhoods at 3AM. I find Omega's to be a little less well known, and I like that. Some folks seem to like the recognition wearing a Texas Timex gets them, but I find anonymity much more preferable. Omega auto vs. Quartz? Honestly, I wouldn't buy the quartz. It's like buying an Automatic Shelby Cobra. |
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Actually, right now I'm wearing a Citizen Eco Drive Railroad watch. The size and weight are just about perfect. I was going to suggest a Citizen Eco Drive if you really wanted an electric watch. I agree with others that if your going to spend the money on an Omega get an automatic. I've been lusting over the small Planet Ocean myself. Have a 1988 Rolex Sub, 1960 President, early Seiko Kinetic with a battery that quit holding a charge  and a Bernhardt Instruments Globemaster.
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Actually, I have 2 Eco Drives - the Railroad one, and the other has the same case, but the face is black. The Railroad one was set to Web time 2 months ago - just checked it and looks like it lost 2 seconds or so. Good enough for me. Thanks for the info guys - I never knew (Omega quartz vs. auto). Guess my watch buying motivation is different than yours. My AR purchasing theory would be the best analogy to use for an explanation. I'm not interested in resale, investment, etc., and I don't care to research all the fine details of each manufacturer. I just want the best that can be had. With that in mind, I just buy Colts. So I figured an Omega quartz would have the same level of quality as their auto. There's an Omega dealer in town, so I still need to go handle one prior to any purchase. Thanks again for taking the time. |
