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

[Spikedlee]

Wow those are some gorgeous pictures! Thanks for sharing and congrats on the new watch!

[chicagofan]

Congrats! Awesome pics.

[Turkeyboy]

Nice pics and a gorgeous watch.

As much as I hear what you are saying about the new watch, for me at least, I could not see spending the vast amount of dollar difference on the new caliber 8500 vs the older caliber 2500 so, I ended up getting the PO XL 2200.53.00 for an awesome deal...........$2,750 out the door. Of course, I did buy two of them.......one for my son with the orange numerals, black bezel and the AD even changed out for me the standard steel bracelet for the mesh that only comes standard from the Omega factory on the all black model.

Bottom line, I walked away with 2 PO XL for $5,500..........I'm sure I would have paid that for one of the new ones.

Enjoy yours!!!!

[capote]

Thanks for sharing. I was eying the PO 8500 at AD's twice on my way home from work today. Looks great!

[rob541]

Originally Posted by Turkeyboy

Nice pics and a gorgeous watch.

Enjoy yours!!!!

The mesh will be ordered tonight. Thanks for the replies.

Rob

[SynMike]

Great pictures. Congratulations on a getting a fantastic watch.

Originally Posted by 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.

I agree completely. A few years ago I went looking at the PO expecting to like the 45mm. I ended up liking the 42mm far more. Like you, I found the dial more proportionate - just overall a better balanced design. I own the 42mmm black/black. It's beautiful.

Originally Posted by rob541

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.

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

The design is a more sporty to my eyes. The original series have a more dressy diver look. So the larger size suits the new style more than it did in the older series.

The new series has a lot of nice enhancements. I still prefer my older 42mm, based solely on appearance for my needs - somewhere between sports watch and dress watch. But if I was to add one of the new series I would be very likely to choose the exact model you bought.

[experimentjon]

Nice! This is my first look at the details of the 8500. I saw and handled one in Tourneau against the older 2500, but the differences weren't quite as noticeable. But these pics really show the additional care and details in the newer models. So thanks for sharing!

And Turkeyboy, I'm thinking the same thing as you too. A 2500 at $2750 is a great price!

[Marcusm]

Presume the boutique "no discount" line was held? Your swag would not have been very valuable - did you ask for the mesh bracelet on complimentary basis?

[aussiewatchnut]

Fantastic pics. Congrats.

[lexus]

Excellent pictures and beautiful watch. I bought my new PO 2500 XL a few months ago for $2900,pleased with with the price. The new PO is nice but I would have to ponder the price a bit.

[oneillba]

Nice, very nice!

[snowpea]

Congrats, I'm glade your enjoying that beautiful watch.

[gaopa]

Your new PO is a beautiful watch and your photos are great! Cheers, Bill P.

[Cru Jones]

great pix! and congrats!

[zeroshiki]

great photos!!! thanks for sharing.. congrats on the new watch!! wear it in good health

[GTS Dean]

Just look at that lovely half-link! I wish my Speedy came with one...



_____________________
TT OysterQuartz
SS/Black "U" Daytona
TT GMT II-C
DD OysterQuartz
Breitling Aero
Omega Speedmaster Pro

[Whiteshark]

May I ask what the MSRP of the 8500 is at the AD?

[FeelingTheBlues]

Great pictures indeed, congratulations and enjoy!

[kmleffler]

The MSRP of the PO 8500 with the ceramic bezel and SS bracelet at the NYC Omega boutique is $6,200 for either the 42 or 45.5 versions. With the rubber strap they are $100 less expensive. You can get the PO with 8500 movement with the old style bezel and a solid case back for $4,500. Only the ceramic bezel models come with the new silicon main spring.

[m5blitzer]

Well done on the great pictures. Surprised at the still affordable price.

[doc_colton]

That is nice, making me think of selling the Submariner.............

[00Seven]

Originally Posted by kmleffler

The MSRP of the PO 8500 with the ceramic bezel and SS bracelet at the NYC Omega boutique is $6,200 for either the 42 or 45.5 versions. With the rubber strap they are $100 less expensive. You can get the PO with 8500 movement with the old style bezel and a solid case back for $4,500. Only the ceramic bezel models come with the new silicon main spring.

None of the 8500 models come with a solid caseback...

[sea-dweller]

Congrats!