New SMP Ceramic Brings Back the Memories

[RALAustin]

I think I have mentioned on here a couple times that my first "real" watch purchase was circa 2006 when I bought a blue dialed SMP Bond Quartz. It was my daily wear for almost two years, and then I sunk into the land of flipperdom, ultimately buying and selling a bunch of SMPs, including two 2254's, a quartz Electric Blue SMP and one pre-Ceramic black Bond. However, I have not owned an SMP in over two years as I shifted to Rolex for my daily work watches.

I was lukewarm at best when I first saw the new ceramic SMPs, mainly because the promo pics of the blue dial appear almost purple and I am not a huge fan of the heavy, busy Bond bracelet. Anyway, I saw them in person a couple weeks ago and was very pleasantly surprised. I ended up shifting focus from adding a new Exp II to finding a new ceramic SMP, in part due to price and in part because I have been without a blue faced watch for work for a long time.

Well, found one on the forums at a price I could live with if I decide to sell down the road, and it arrived yesterday. Honestly, it has been too long to recall the wave dial with much specificity, but I know I liked it and I know I like this new dial as well (not sure if I can say which I prefer). It is definitely shiny, especially when coupled with the ceramic bezel, but I like it and I think it is a great contrast/compliment to the SubC, which is fairly shiny in its own right.

Main positives are the looks of the dial and bezel, the cool lume, the still rather slim and very comfortable case and the size, look and feel on the wrist. Main negatives so far relate to the bracelet, although the crown still suffers in comparison to the SubC. I really miss the lack of an adjustable bracelet (have come to rely on it with the SubC) and there is a ridge on the underside of the clasp that is annoying (do not recall this on the prior Bond bracelet). Finally, I am still not sure I am a big fan of the Bond bracelet itself, but I like that it is something different from an oyster bracelet, which I have on all the other watches I rountinely wear to work. Sized for my wrist, it weighs 167 grams, so it is close to 20 grams heavier than the SubC and 40 grams heavier than my Sub No Date COSC.

At this point, I am not sure if this is a long term keeper, especially given my take on the bracelet, but if I can get used to the bracelet I can see this sticking around for a while because the dial and case really are awesome, and I know if I take off the bracelet it will look great on nato as well.

Rob

[matt.wu]

Awesome, Rob. I really haven't read too much about these. Kinda wish they had either matched the date wheel to the dial or kept it white.

[andrema]

Looks nice!

I wish that they would come out with a 2254 version of the ceramic! I love mine, but would really prefer a ceramic bezel on it.

[CGSshorty]

I would like to compliment you on your photo skills. Taking the exact same photo three times in a minute and a half is impressive.

[jeckyll]

I would like to compliment you on your photo skills. Taking the exact same photo three times in a minute and a half is impressive.

LOL, man it's a tough crowd around here.

Congrats on the pickup, it looks sharp.

[FlyPenFly]

Seems like a great natural evolution of this line.

[jimyritz]

Congrats on that one...Always wanted another blue dial but for some reason they never stick...

[RALAustin]

Ah, the mark of a great photographer is making them all look the same, but in actuality the last pic is facing towards the mirror (worse light) and the first two are facing towards the mirror (better light). We happen to have two of the same floor mats and they are placed in a way that they appear in the right of the pic in all three pics. There is method to the madness!

[dnslater]

I really dig this one (minus the bracelet). Congrats!

I agree. Saw a black version on the WUS sales forum a few weeks ago and almost decided to consolidate and go after it, but that bracelet has always held me back. An updated ceramic 2254 would rival a PO in my eyes.

[deepcdvr]

I like everything about this watch (except the blue, of course...

CONGRATS!

[tmw]

I love the new bond watch.

To me, a significant upgrade from the 2531.80. The dial, hands, bezel are all taken to another level. I love the original bond, but with this, I do not miss it.

I also picked up the 50th anniversary bond, with the red 50, 007 dial (you hardly notice) and the bullet see through caseback.

I find the bracelet more comfortable and secure - and a hell of a lot easier to add/remove a link. But if only it was an adjustable clasp.

IMHO, Omega has been doing a great job going up market, and the quality is getting up there (along with the price). I admit I am an omega fan boy, and have acquired quite a few of late.

[Dedalus]

I would like to compliment you on your photo skills. Taking the exact same photo three times in a minute and a half is impressive.

Congrats on the SMP, Rob.

[dukerules]

I like it. Not too many options out there for an upmarket blue diver, and I've always liked the Bond hands, even if I don't love the Bond bracelet.

[MikeyLikesIt]

Looks great Rob!

[River Rat]

Congrats on your Omega.Use to own a Omega quartz bund only reason I sold it was the dam bracelet no way of really adjusting it to fit right it ether to tight or to loose with only removel of links for adjustment only if they did some thing with more adjustmenbts in the latch.If Omega would read watch forum complaints about there bracelets you think they would do some thing to improve it.I would still own it if it was not for the bracelet.