The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Jackson, I think you've found the only known photo of the new SMP!

I've been looking for ages for other pics, to no avail. I am mystified as to why there hasn't been more coverage of this one - nothing on Omega's website, and hardly anyone who posted about attending Basel has said anything about it.

A bit surprised they didn't upgrade it to the in-house 8500 movement like the new PO, but I guess they're trying (a) not to let the price get out of hand, and (b) to put some more distance between the SMP and PO lines.

Quite like the look of it from what I've seen so far, but I don't like the new date window shape as much as the old one, and I maintain that the black date wheel on the blue model is a mistake just like it is on the new PO.

You were one up on me. I didn't even know Omega had unveiled a new SMP. It was only within the last month I was looking at the current SMP at a nearby AD and thinking, "Gee, if only they'd put a ceramic bezel on this thing...." I can't take credit for finding the pic. A sharp-eyed member on TRF directed me to the website where it was posted. He also supplied all the stats. He went to the Omega boutique in LA and saw the prototypes of the new models. You can read his observations here.

I agree with you about the black date wheel on the blue dial, but since I'm primarily interested in the black dial, I'm not too bothered about it. And the shape of the window, I'm indifferent on the matter. I'm glad they at least gave it more finishing than they did with the PO LE.

As for the movement, I'm fine with it. A silicon-spring 8500 would be the ultimate, of course, but then we'd be looking at a serious price hike. Frankly, I'm glad there's still one watch out there I want that is under $5k. Also, keeping the 2500 keeps the proportions the same. Word is the new 8500-based POs are 1.5mm thicker than before, to accommodate the movement. As it is, when Omega upgraded the SMP to the 2500, the thickness went from 11.5m to 13mm, which is thick enough for a 41mm case. If it went up to 14.5mm, it would have some serious issues with chunkiness, IMO. And I never thought the 2500 was a slouch movement anyway. It's still co-axial, still COSC certified, and it does the job. My only beef with modified ETA movements is when companies price them like they're in-house (B4B, anyone?). Omega hasn't done that in this case. From my vantage point, it's all good news. At least until I hear otherwise.

I'm not a fan of the ceramic bezels - they're too shiny/blingy for me.

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PAM359, Omega PO Big Size, 1951 Omega Seamaster, Rolex Sea Dweller

I think
Omega's ceramic bezels for the new PO and SMP are matte unlike the liquid metal.

_________________
Regards,

Peter

BREITLING for Bentley Motors T & Mark VI, Aerospace
ROLEX Submariner Ceramic116610LN
OMEGA Plantet Ocean 8500 42mm Orange arabics
OCEAN7 LM-3

The person who saw them in person described the bezels: "Ceramic bezel with matt chromium nitride numbers on bezel."

I interpreted this to mean the ceramic portions were glossy, but the numbers were matte, unlike on the PO Liquidmetal bezel, where the numbers were glossy too. It's a little hard to tell from the pictures, but there's a gleam off the black bezel that would seem to indicate it's glossy. I don't know for sure, though.

I read that thread also, but that description doesn't describe a glossy bezel in my opinion. Read this thread. http://forums.watchuseek.com/showthread.php?t=559603. The reviewer specifically says the bezel has a matte finish. Plus, they look matte in the photos especially compared to the sub c or gmt2c or the liquid metal. I wanted to find the thread I read a few days ago. The person took side by side photos of the new POs next to his current generation PO bit couldn't locate it. I'll link it later if I find it.

_________________
Regards,

Peter

BREITLING for Bentley Motors T & Mark VI, Aerospace
ROLEX Submariner Ceramic116610LN
OMEGA Plantet Ocean 8500 42mm Orange arabics
OCEAN7 LM-3

Indeed he does. His explicit description trumps my second-hand interpretation of someone else's observation, so I stand corrected. I was a little confused when I first saw the new bezels, as I assumed they were all Liquidmetal bezels. Evidently they aren't. From what I can tell, only the PO LE from last year, and the current Ti PO use Liquidmetal. I do wonder, though, if the bezels on the SMP are also matte finish, if only because the new SMPs have glossy, lacquered dials. I put in some more questions with the author of the thread I linked to. I'll report back what I find out.

I have to say, the pictures and description I've seen of the new POs make them look pretty special. I may have to rethink my position on standard POs.


I look forward to seeing it if you find it.

I was in the same exact conundrum as after several visits to Omega and Breitling AD's, I actually got a SMP 300m Chrono. I hadn't seen it much and really liked the way it felt on my wrist even though I was looking for a larger watch.

I will warn you, however, that I had the same initial plan - one nice watch. I now also own a SO44 and am looking for my next prize.

Good luck! Can't go wrong with either.

Um...oh yeah, this thread was about something else.

I'm still looking for those comparison photos. ( I ran into you, Jackson, during my search. Haha). I can't find it. It's frustrating because I just read it about 2-3 days ago.

I also saw an interview with the omega CEO. He said the liquid metal technology is expensive and difficult to produce so they won't be rolling it out into all the POs and SMPs yet. I'll link that if I find it also.

In what way are you rethinking your position on the standard PO?

Here is a link to help you rethink it further and also a link that might help the OP swing in favor of the PO completely.

http://www.watchtalkforums.info/forums/ ... hp?t=19155

I've been looking at this guy's PO photos for the last year or two. They're amazing.

_________________
Regards,

Peter

BREITLING for Bentley Motors T & Mark VI, Aerospace
ROLEX Submariner Ceramic116610LN
OMEGA Plantet Ocean 8500 42mm Orange arabics
OCEAN7 LM-3

I remember seeing them too, but I can't find them now either. I suspect the guy has taken them down for some reason.

I mean the new standard PO. I like the changes Omega has made, and it's making me want to see the models in person to really get a feel for them. Prior to this, I figured the only PO I'd get was the 2010 Liquidmetal. The new Ti is cool, but big and very expensive. The size might be offset by the lightness of the titanium, but I can't think of what offsets the price. The new standards, though, have me interested.



Pretty awesome pics, no doubt.


That would be a drag.

After searching I finally realized the thread I linked above is the one that had the comparison photos. The op removed them for some reason.

Anyway here is the link to the interview with the omega CEO. Check out how big the new PO chrono is on his wrist. It looks great.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Uhdk3qn ... ata_player

This thread has some wrist shots of the new POs in both sizes and colors as well as photos of the liquid metal and standard PO. It's not the side by side comparison but it's good enough. You'll have to scroll all the way through to see all the photos.
http://forums.watchuseek.com/f20/help-m ... 09860.html

_________________
Regards,

Peter

BREITLING for Bentley Motors T & Mark VI, Aerospace
ROLEX Submariner Ceramic116610LN
OMEGA Plantet Ocean 8500 42mm Orange arabics
OCEAN7 LM-3

What is the difference between the "current" and "new" PO? I like the one pictured on the left of this link, which is that? If I go to buy it from an AD, how do I explain to them which one I want? Are the terms new and current common when talking about the PO? Is their different model numbers or something?

Hahaha, thanks for the warning! I can already tell this is going to be a problem. I no longer am interested in the SOH, but still really like the PO. Since I've posted this thread, I've had several suggestions, and I really like the Steelfish. I'm pretty sure I'll end up getting botht he PO and the SF, I'm just trying to figure out which I want to get first