New PO (lots of photos)

[rob541]

Before I get started on this, let me just say I was a die hard 42mm fan. The dial was more proportionate, I liked the bezel better, and I liked the white numerals more than the orange.

That being said...

I stopped into the boutique at The Aventura Mall the other night. I wasn't expecting to buy anything. I wanted to see a few things - the two-register PO, the two-register Speedmaster and a few other things.

And then I tried on the 45.5mm PO - the new one. I did not want what happened to happen - but it did. It looked better than the previous version of the 45.5. It had the same features I found aesthetically pleasing in the 42. The finish seems so much nicer than on the previous version.

Here are some shots...



As you can see - the numerals are not painted, they are applied. And gorgeous. I would normally have opted for the white numerals - here is why I didn't. They are very shiny. The orange numerals are satin or bead blasted. And much more appealing than the shiny.





I don't know if it's me, but I think the lume markers are a little more faceted - maybe a little - I never really looked that closely at my previous version.

On the 42, I also like the bezel cogs better - they were straight as opposed to scalloped. I like the smaller bezel better - and now the 45.5 looks like the former 42 (or maybe I never looked at the old). And the layout of the ceramic bezel is much more aesthetically pleasing as well - the matte finish looks so much nicer than the old shiny aluminum one.

The crowns also have a more finished look - matte crown and polished logo and He lettering.

The date wheel is also a little nicer on this one - the numbers seem raised and very nicely finished - almost a raised silver, but not quite applied.

As for the movement, it is always nice to see a beautiful one. This is no exception. Polished and engraved beautifully.

Another one of my favorite updates is the bracelet pin system. They are now hidden behind sturdier looking screws. The screw comes out and the pin gets pushed (I think). I will be adding the MESH to the lineup very, very soon.

The lume is awesome, too - but I didn't try any shots of it yet. So here are some pictures of the rest of the watch. Sorry for the quality - I used to have Nikon and Hasselblad equipment, but I sold it all a couple years ago.























More photos to follow. Never thought I would love the 45.5 with orange - but I bought it anyway. I got some swag, too. I got the loupe (which has a mini bezel on it), I got some hats, I got a pen and some other stuff - I didn't even go through the bag. I dealt with Jennifer at the boutique and she was great.

As for the POC - it was like wearing a hockey puck on my wrist - I love the look, but it is too think for me to wear - especially with all the sleeves I need in WNY in the winter. The Speedy is gorgeous, but I can't stand the little polished link spacers. It ruins the whole watch for me. If they had it on a different band, I may have spent some more time with it. But I threw it back because of the bracelet.

More to follow.

Rob