Omega 2500 Reliability...real world experiences?

[buddy13]

I would like to get some real life feedback from owners.



I am not really interested in opinions, but real life experiences, from 2500 owners, the older the movement the better :). I have had at least four 2500C powered watches, but for short spans (1-2 years).



In 2011, I got a 2500D SMPc as a graduation gift.



I'm not very happy with it's reliability.



It ran beautifully when new. I have honestly never seen such consistency from a Mechanical movement. No matter what position or state of wind it would run at +1 sec./day or better.



In 2016, it started acting up. Basically, stopping and re-starting, being hard to start and suffering from low PR. Basically the same exact symptoms of the 'stopping issue' there was with some of the previous 2500 versions. Someone here and Omega themselves had told me that this previous issue was solved with the introduction of the tri-level co-axial escapement (similar to the later 8500), so it was not possible that it was this same issue.



I sent it to Omega in Bienne directly for a full service. After service, I inquired what was the issue and they claimed that it was just through normal 'wear and tear'. They also added that the case, bezel and bracelet showed considerable wear (which was true), implying that it did have somewhat of a hard life, hence the issue and requirement for service.



I don't baby my watches, I swim & dive in them and wear them pretty much 24/7. I only take them off, when it is quite clear that I might unintentionally damage them (eg. working on the car). But it was always worn in rotation of another 5 or more watches, so it was not being worn all the time.



Late last year is started acting in exactly the same manner. In November I am taking it myself to an Omega approved watch maker in Italy. Hopefully, he will be more open with what the issue is, if he manages to find something.



None the less, I love the watch and think it's a great classic, hence I do enjoy wearing it. Being a graduation gift, I will never sell it.



So how long have you had your 2500 movement?
Has it ever stopped on you?
Have you ever serviced it in that period (if so when)?


Thanks in advance for sharing your experiences.


Omega & Cha_4 by etienne spiteri, on Flickr

Omega & Cha_3 by etienne spiteri, on Flickr

[swils8610]

Great watch. The 2500D is a very solid movement. The earlier versions up to 2500C had issues. The issues were sorted out and were corrected when the 2500D came out.


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[sah]

My unserviced was purchased new 2017. No issues. Swim frequently pool with some salt water snorkels. I have not timed longer than one week but it is +0 or 1 second per week. Keep it on a winder when not on wrist. Rotates with my PO and Rolex SD.

[buddy13]

Originally Posted by swils8610

Great watch. The 2500D is a very solid movement. The earlier versions up to 2500C had issues. The issues were sorted out and were corrected when the 2500D came out.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Mine does not correlate it seems.

[texasmade]

I have the Seamaster 300 Diver Pro from Casino Royale. It was purchased in 2011, serviced once in late 2016, and never serviced again. Mine still runs fine since it was serviced. I usually just leave it on a winder most days and wear it on occasion.

[Dirt]

I have a 2403B from 2005 that was serviced at around 11.5 years due to a gradual(but slight) slowing in timekeeping.
I simply thought it was due for some TLC.
I've never had any issues with it and it's been a rock solid movement with everything it's been through. Totally reliable
I'm actually impressed by it as my first and only Co-axial

[RW16610]

Originally Posted by texasmade

I have the Seamaster 300 Diver Pro from Casino Royale. It was purchased in 2011, serviced once in late 2016, and never serviced again. Mine still runs fine since it was serviced. I usually just leave it on a winder most days and wear it on occasion.

I bought one of those new back in 2007 (2220.80) but sold it s few years later. The movement in the time I had it was incredibly accurate and had zero issues.

I also had the first generation Planet Ocean 45.5mm, which had a version of the 2500 (likely the A in this 2005 watch). It was purchased used, and was used quite hard. Despite a louder rotor noise, the watch was also incredibly accurate with zero issues for the years I owned it before it was sold.

[buddy13]

Thanks for replies gents

[jum3]

2500D, bought new.. it was very accurate as well. This one is my daily wear watch so its worn 24/7 and got +1/day until it stopped 8 year later.

Swatch Service was terrible though… came back +7/day among other issues that didn’t exist before service. After sending it back 3 times, I’m down to +3s/day.

[RW16610]

Originally Posted by jum3

2500D, bought new.. it was very accurate as well. This one is my daily wear watch so its worn 24/7 and got +1/day until it stopped 8 year later.

Swatch Service was terrible though… came back +7/day among other issues that didn’t exist before service. After sending it back 3 times, I’m down to +3s/day.

Both of my 2500 movements from the factory were also running at +1 second per day, which was amazing.

Although I didn't have mine for as long as you did, I've got no doubt they could've achieved the same 8-Year spans due to reduced wear / increased service intervals with Co-Axial, supposedly.

Regarding Swatch Group service (for both the US and Canada from personal experience) it's hit and miss, with the latter often times being the case from what I've seen online.

This was true for me when my watch was sent in (to Swatch Group Canada) and returned to me with a finishing issue on the clasp around both pushers. They did agree to do this over but I didn't care to send it back in after it was stuck there for several months in 2020 given what was happening. I also had little confidence in their ability to correct those sections without additional material loss or inconvenience for me.

Absolutely love the watch but haven't worn it since.

[bonovox]

I owned a 2226.80 (casino Royale bond from 2006). It was the most accurate mechanical watch I've owned. It would take well over 24 hours to go +1. I owned it until 2016, never serviced, the accuracy never deviated.

[Radbloke]

I have the same watch in blue, bought brand new in 2013. No issues whatsoever, apart from running slightly fast after coming back from service last year. Sent it back to get corrected, been great ever since. 2500d will go down as one of the best movements to come out of Omega. Reliable, great time keeping, tough, thin.

[mudd]

PO 2500C went back for warranty within the first3 years.

[Galaga167]

Originally Posted by mudd

PO 2500C went back for warranty within the first3 years.

X2. Changed under warranty to the D variant and now is faultless. One service since 2009. Plus 2 seconds.

[buddy13]

Originally Posted by RW16610

I've got no doubt they could've achieved the same 8-Year spans due to reduced wear / increased service intervals with Co-Axial, supposedly.

Mine does not seem to agree with this statement

[buddy13]

Originally Posted by Galaga167

X2. Changed under warranty to the D variant and now is faultless. One service since 2009. Plus 2 seconds.

Love this version of the PO. Wish I kept mine

[RW16610]

Originally Posted by buddy13

Mine does not seem to agree with this statement

I'm sorry to hear that, what a shame.

Originally Posted by buddy13

Love this version of the PO. Wish I kept mine

Same, it's a really nice watch. I never had major regrets about selling mine. However, seeing that picture definitely serves as a reminder of how nice it was. If only I could've kept it.

[texasmade]

Originally Posted by Galaga167

X2. Changed under warranty to the D variant and now is faultless. One service since 2009. Plus 2 seconds.

I loved the orange version of this watch. One of my big regrets was not buying it new when I had the chance.

[jum3]

Also to add to the original factory accuracy.. When I slept with the watch on.. it seems the position I slept in kept the watch at +.25s/day or +1s/week. So pretty cool. I can't replicate this accuracy after the service... or any other watch for that matter.

[PBJ1925]

Had a Planet Ocean XL with a cal 2500. Had it for about 5 years before I had it serviced.

Rubber failed before the service, but overall didn't seem anything out of the ordinary. I ended up trading the watch in shortly thereafter due to the overall size vs reliability.

[buddy13]

Thanks for all the replies

I am looking forward to have it serviced in November and to have it on my wrist once again.

[anonymousmoose]

I had one fail. It wasn't fun. After the third or 4th warrant experience - I regrettably sold it.




A real shame - I loved that watch

Got a better one years later - 8900

[Jack T]

Have had a Planet Ocean 2500D for twelve years or so, never a problem. It was my daily watch for about four years, now I put it on once a month or so, never hard wear.
Have not had it serviced ever, asked my AD, he said until it shows signs of running poorly, don’t bother. Still within spec, and it looks great. Hope you sort yours out.

[alphadweller]

I bought my PO2500C 45.5 new in 2005 from the Heathrow Airport Omega boutique, ref 2200.50.00. I wore it daily 7 years straight. Then I started to build a collection, so it became part of a rotation with the other pieces.

In 2016 I felt like an overhaul was due after 11 years of outstanding service. I took it to the Omega Boutique where I live for a reasonable fee of 410 euros.

The watch has always been very accurate. I've never had the so-called stoppage issue reported by some. This is my first Omega and first serious watch, it has a special place in my collection. In spite of not wearing it as much as I used to, it still feels great back on the wrist.



]

[joe100]

The 2500Cs and Ds I’ve owned have been fine. Although, I do understand the buildup issue which causes them to stop is very real.

[DCheeta]

I got my AquaTerra in 2006, I’m not sure which version of 2500 it has. In the past 16 years it’s needed servicing twice, both times because it stopped running.

[Zerouali]

I bought my Planet Ocean LM LE in 2013, has the 2500c movement as far as I know. Never had a problem with it (well, the lume pip at 12 o’clock on the bezel fell out, replaced under warranty) but never been serviced yet. Probably about time I gave it a treat…..

[emtee]

My first ‘proper’ watch was a PO 2500C bought in 2010. It developed the stoppage issue about 2 1/2 years in and was repaired under warranty. No issues since but I did regrettably sell it a couple of years later. Wish I’d kept it!

[00Seven]

I’ve had 7 or 8 PO’s over the years (would have to check my spreadsheet for the exact #).

Have never had an issue. Currently have a 2201.50 that I bought new in 2011 with no issues and a 45.5MM with orange bezel that’s around the same age…no issues with either. Both are 2500D though.