Review : Quartz Seamaster 2541.80 is actually the first James Bond 007 Omega watch
Written: Dec 23 '05 (Updated Dec 27 '06)
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: The one, only true first James Bond Omega Seamaster watch. Quartz ideal for frequent wear.
Cons: Dial reflections can be distracting, hands seem to disappear in certain lighting conditions.
The Bottom Line: This is the GoldenEye watch and James Bond's original Omega. Quartz has accuracy, durability and internal power supply advantages. Hands and dial make at-a-glance reading less than ideal.
|
|
|
| dell_deaton's Full Review: Omega Seamaster 2541.80 Wrist Watch for Men |
If you truly want the first Omega watch worn by James Bond 007, this is it. The movie was GoldenEye, and the year was 1995.
This is a quartz watch, and as such differs in some minor cosmetic ways from the Omega Seamaster model 2531.80 (mechanical) that you mostly hear referred to as the "James Bond Choice" watch. When you hold the two, running watches side-by-side, here's what you'll notice.
1. Your quartz "ticks" in 1-second increments, as opposed to the mechanical, which appears to have a more continuous movement of the second hand.
2. The dial markers at the 3 o'clock position are different sizes.
3. Just above the 6 o'clock position, the 2541.80 has the words, "Seamaster Professional 300m/1000ft" and the 2531.80 has the additional word "Chronometer" above the depth indication.
You're going to be taking your 2541.80 in for a battery change and water resistance resealing every 2 to 3 years at maybe $100/service. The 2531.80 is recommended for service every 4 to 5 years, at a quote of $290/service (as of fall 2005). Comparing MSRPs, you should be able to get into the 2541.80 for about 20% less than its mechanical counterpart.
"Experts" will tell you that the 2531.80 is better as a true diver's watch because there is no risk of battery failure. But the 2541.80 comes w/ a low power reserve indicator, so it's not like you won't know a batter change need is coming. If the seals ever fail for any reason and the movement is compromised, the 2531.80 is "repairable" (at a price) whereas the quartz movement in your 2541.80 will have to be replaced (at a not unreasonable price). The quartz has fewer movable parts, of course, and that tends to make it more durable, although I don't know how far I'd go w/ that concern.
If you are a casual wearer of a high-end watch such as this, or have a number of watches you like to alternate on your wrist, the nice thing about the quartz is that it is always ready to go at a moment's notice. Worst case, you might have to adjust the date window.
As I wrote in my review of the 2531.80, significant shortcomings of this watch come in the blue gloss finish of the dial, and the hands. Catch light the wrong way, and the reflection on the dial is down right distracting. The distinctive skeleton hands are hardly what I'd call the sort of see-at-a-glance reads you'd expect for James Bond and his needs, uses. In fact, depending on lighting conditions, they can seem to disappear on you.
In this price range, a lot of folks will truthfully tell you that mechanical watches are preferred. But this is a distinctive watch and interest ("James Bond 007"), and most experts will agree that that takes it off the normal points of comparison. Indeed, when I bought my 2541.80, I immediately started referring to it as "The GoldenEye Watch," since the 2541.80 holds the distinction of being not just a Bond watch, but the first James Bond Omega.
Respectfully submitted for your consideration,
Dell Deaton
All of my Reviews related to wristwatches
Omega Seamaster 2254.50 automatic chronometer (black dial, black bezel diver's watch, Omega SA reference 22545000)
Omega Seamaster 2531.80 automatic chronometer (second watch worn by James Bond 007, Omega SA reference 25318000)
Omega Seamaster 2541.80 quartz (first watch worn by James Bond 007, Omega SA reference 25418000)
Omega Seamaster 2561.80 quartz (mid-sized version of first watch worn by James Bond 007, Omega SA reference 25618000)
Omega Planet Ocean 2900.50.91 automatic chronometer (third watch worn by James Bond 007, Omega SA reference 29005091)
Recommended:
Yes
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
dell_deaton
|
|
Member: Dell Deaton
Location: Michigan
Reviews written: 4
Trusted by: 1 member
About Me:
Expert on James Bond watches, Ian Fleming to film versions.
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.