zOwie Omega Discussion Forum

: Hello Omega enthusiasts. I am looking into
: buying an Omega Seamaster
: Automatic(2220.80.00). A fiew questions,
: however, if you would please. Are Omega
: watches Handmade? Also, seeing as I would
: like the automatic version, what would I be
: looking as service wise? Have many others
: had many problems with this watch, ive read
: close to nothing but positive feedback about
: it, though would value a fiew oppinions from
: this site. Additionally, if you go to the
: official Omega website and look up this
: watch
: (http://www.omegawatches.com/index.php?id=286&ref=22208000&no_cache=1)
: you will see that dirrectly below the Omega
: logo, there is a small line of red writing,
: reading Seamaster obviously. Though I can
: only find this particular model with the
: traditional fashon. Is there anything about
: this "updated model" that I should
: concern myself with, or anything outstanding
: that differentiates it from the pack, other
: than the red text? Thank you in advance for
: your help.

The reason you probably aren't seeing much feedback on this model is that it has only been in stores for about a month now. It is the "upgraded" version of model 2531.80.00, which had been the "Bond watch" for the past four films.

Omega watches are not hand-made the way the way the ultra-exclusive brands like Patek Philippe are. Omegas, Rolexes, Breitlings, etc. are all mass produced watches.

According to Omega, the 2220.80 will require servicing every 4-8 years (Omega has been very inconsistent in the service intervals they recommend for co-axial watches). This will cost you about $300 US.

The red Seamaster lettering is new for the 2220.80. The 2531.80 that it replaces has the word "Seamaster" written in white. All of the new Bond style Seamasters, including the quartz versions, will have "Seamaster" written in red. The new Bond chronograph model 2225.80 also has the red lettering.

The major differences between this new model and the outgoing 2531.80 are its co-axial movement, longer hands, applied (metal encased) dial markers, red Seamaster lettering, applied Omega logo, and slightly thicker case to contain the co-axial movement. The co-axial movement in this watch is identical to the movement used in the Planet Ocean models, which have been around since May 2005. The Planet Ocean models have had a great track record for reliability and accuracy so far, though a year and a half isn't exactly a long time.

I hope that helps.

-John