PO is a tough nut to crack/size!

[watchf]

PO is a hard watch to resize! Guys I have sized cheaper watches with link pins easily but this PO is so tight I can only manage to get the pin half way out and its stuck. There is no way I can pull or push the pin which was already half way out further out, tried it on two links and its the same.

Any tricks to it? I am better of getting it done at a jeweler shop I reckon.

[Kapture1]

All Omegas I've owned have been that way. I purchased a pin pusher and that helps. I have bent the pins before and bent them back, so be careful. I wish they would add some micro adjustment pin holes in the clasp.

[Trev]

I found the bond-style bracelet very difficult to size. Many bent pins, broke a few of the pins on the pusher tool as well. Ended up using a hammer to help re-seat a couple of them. Not fun!

[watchf]

Yeah guys what a tough one. Anyway I brought it to a jeweler and they had a hard time as well lol. I could hear the hammer going while waiting but its sized at last! I really wish Omega would go on to screw pin instead...although I think the new ones released at basel 2011 are screws this time.

[Trev]

Yeah, I would never do another one. Rolex-style screw pins are so much easier (just remember to use a tiny dab of that weaker version of Loctite).

Any pics?

[watchf]

Originally Posted by Trev

Yeah, I would never do another one. Rolex-style screw pins are so much easier (just remember to use a tiny dab of that weaker version of Loctite).

Any pics?

I will take some pics and post it later, just unboxed it today

[watchf]

Here guys, 45.5mm PO on 7 inch wrist. This watch is heavy

[Trev]

Very nice. Does that model still have the AR coating on the crystal?

[watchf]

Originally Posted by Trev

Very nice. Does that model still have the AR coating on the crystal?

It does, it has always had AR coating but I can't recall if its double or single sided. I think its single side on the inner surface of the crystal. You get the perception that you can touch the dial and hands, its that clear. One thing I like about the bezel is the flushed pearl reducing risk of hitting it onto something and breaking it off. I wish it has microadjustmet on the bracelet even just a few different connection points on the clasp like the older Rolex bracelet for better sizing.

[jmsrolls]

All Planet Oceans came with double-sided AR coating. The initial version had a bluish hue and was very susceptible to scratches and marring. Many owners actually removed the outer AR coating.

Omega eventually improved the coating to make it more durable. The new coating does not have the blue hue.

As I recall, the change was made sometime in late 2008-early 2009.

Fr. John†

[esm]

Originally Posted by watchf

Yeah guys what a tough one. Anyway I brought it to a jeweler and they had a hard time as well lol. I could hear the hammer going while waiting but its sized at last! I really wish Omega would go on to screw pin instead...although I think the new ones released at basel 2011 are screws this time.

i thought it was quite straight forward.
a pin pusher will push the pin 1/2 way out of the link (did you notice the arrow marked on one side of the link?), then use a plier to pull it out.
adjust the link and put the pin back in (check the arrow mark again!) and use a small rubber mullet to "bang" it back into position.

yes, it isnt as easy as Rolex, but it isnt too bad. the new 2011 Omega has the screw type bracelet ('bout time)

the PO looks great on your 7" wrist.

[Trev]

i thought it was quite straight forward.
a pin pusher will push the pin 1/2 way out of the link (did you notice the arrow marked on one side of the link?), then use a plier to pull it out.

A couple of the pins on mine were fairly mangled looking, so I think that contributed to the difficulty in pushing them out and then back through the two sleeves. I recall one of them being fairly easy, and the rest were quite a pain.

[watchf]

Originally Posted by esm

i thought it was quite straight forward.
a pin pusher will push the pin 1/2 way out of the link (did you notice the arrow marked on one side of the link?), then use a plier to pull it out.
adjust the link and put the pin back in (check the arrow mark again!) and use a small rubber mullet to "bang" it back into position.

yes, it isnt as easy as Rolex, but it isnt too bad. the new 2011 Omega has the screw type bracelet ('bout time)

the PO looks great on your 7" wrist.

That was what I did, hammered the pin half way out and tried to pull it out with a piler but its so tight the pulling effort was useless. The push pin was only long enough to push the link pin half way out, I reckon if the push pin is long enough it would be much easier to just hammer the link pin all the way out. I bought a full set of watch sizing tools, it came with three different size of push pin but all are the same length which is not long enough! Wonder where I could get one that is long enough to do its job properly on a tough opponent like a PO

BTW does a PO come stock with one or two half links in the bracelet?

[watchf]

Originally Posted by jmsrolls

Omega eventually improved the coating to make it more durable. The new coating does not have the blue hue.

As I recall, the change was made sometime in late 2008-early 2009.

Fr. John†

Any way to tell which year a PO was made to know if it has the old or new improved coating? The reflection on my crystal is blueish to purple (as seen in the above pic I posted) but doesn't have a blue hue on it at all time. It looks clear when no reflection is on it.

[cyglee]

I have used self-made pins from large safety pins. The metal is strong enough to hammer (carefully) without bending. You have to use the largest size that will fit without binding in the pin-hole. Just cut a few straight lengths from the safety pin. Once you have the actual bracelet pin half out, place a safety pin piece in the hole and tap it to push the bracelet pin all the way out. It works for me.

[watchf]

Originally Posted by cyglee

I have used self-made pins from large safety pins. The metal is strong enough to hammer (carefully) without bending. You have to use the largest size that will fit without binding in the pin-hole. Just cut a few straight lengths from the safety pin. Once you have the actual bracelet pin half out, place a safety pin piece in the hole and tap it to push the bracelet pin all the way out. It works for me.

Thanks for the tips

[improviz]

Originally Posted by watchf

Any way to tell which year a PO was made to know if it has the old or new improved coating? The reflection on my crystal is blueish to purple (as seen in the above pic I posted) but doesn't have a blue hue on it at all time. It looks clear when no reflection is on it.

Yours is the old coating, but don't worry, in my experience worries about its lack of durability are overblown. Mine has scored a few direct hits on the crystal with no hint of a scratch in either the coating or the crystal.