Total overhaul of my 2531.80 w/ pictures.
frommeyer
ChicagoPosts: 418MI6 Agent
To my great chagrin I was too young to have the cash to buy a Brosnan watch while they were still in stores. What's more, I didn't even know how badly I wanted one until a couple years ago. After buying a very nice used 2531.80 on ebay I was really happy with it. I simply love the watch, Bond notwithstanding.
Since then I've noticed that, over the last few years, the pricing on these things have gone up. While they're far from rare the parts and pieces are becoming (ever so slightly) harder to find. This isn't helped by the fact that Swatch has cut off supply lines to a lot of watchmakers. Omega has a parts-in-stock guarantee of 20 years after a watch model is produced. From what I've been able to gather the last 2531.80 was manufactured around 2005/2006. That means the parts guarantee only has a few years remaining. Projecting years down the road I got to thinking about what my 2531.80 situation would be when I'm, say, 60 years old (I'm 30). I got hit with some nervousness. What if I accidentally smashed my watch? Or lost it? Stolen? All you have to do is look at what a 40 year old, pristine automatic Bond watch goes for now; if you're someone who just wants the watch it's enough to make you break out into a cold sweat. Forward-thinking, patient sellers are probably Grinch-grinning though.
Anyway, this sparked a new search. I wanted a verifiable, brand-new-in-box 2531.80. Yeah, there were pristine used ones but that's not what I wanted. After an exhaustive 10 month search that included calling every Omega boutique (shoutout to Dario, the Chicago Omega manager for helping) and AD I could nothing turned up.
So I did the next best thing: I had EVERYTHING replaced on a used watch I found on Ebay. The bezel, the bracelet, the dial, the hands, the crown, the helium escape, full service... the only original part remaining is the case and parts of the movement that were deemed good. Expecting this, I knew while shopping for the used watch that the case was the only part which needed to be pristine. That and it needed to include the original box and papers. It actually wasn't too hard. I got an ok condition watch with original documents for $1500. The only major issues were a lot of scuffs on the bracelet and the bezel's scallops had been polished too much. They weren't sharp. No big deal as I was replacing it anyway.
The process with Omega was great. I live a few blocks from an Omega boutique and I was able to walk in and explain what my plan was. The people in store were fantastic. After first trying to help me find a new one (no dice) Dario mapped out a plan for me, gave an initial estimate, and then shipped it off to SWITZERLAND for me (this was a big favor because normally the do their basic servicing through Seattle with a fantastic group out there; but the best work is done in Switzerland - it probably didn't make a difference but considering the project I super appreciated it).
After about 8 weeks it was all done. Which kind blew my mind because the last simple service had (on my beater 2351.80) took ten damn months by a local watchmaker. So two months was like lightspeed. All told I spent just sky of $4,000. That's probably too much in many people's eyes but I don't care. I got exactly what I wanted from the process. An essentially new watch. Next week I will be dropping off my daily "beater" (it's in fine condition sans some marks on the bezel) 2531.80 to go through the exact same process. As Omega returns any replaced parts I like having doubles or even triples of parts like the dial. It will be nice to have those back-ups when I'm 60 and some serious fading has occurred or whatever.
So here are some photos if what it looks like. I've also done some side-by-sides with my beater. The biggest most notable difference is the heft of the bracelet. It feels a LOT more substantial than the used bracelets. You don't realize just how worn/ground down they get until compared with a 20 year old bracelet that's been worn daily. It feels twice as thick and three times as strong despite looking the same.
Since then I've noticed that, over the last few years, the pricing on these things have gone up. While they're far from rare the parts and pieces are becoming (ever so slightly) harder to find. This isn't helped by the fact that Swatch has cut off supply lines to a lot of watchmakers. Omega has a parts-in-stock guarantee of 20 years after a watch model is produced. From what I've been able to gather the last 2531.80 was manufactured around 2005/2006. That means the parts guarantee only has a few years remaining. Projecting years down the road I got to thinking about what my 2531.80 situation would be when I'm, say, 60 years old (I'm 30). I got hit with some nervousness. What if I accidentally smashed my watch? Or lost it? Stolen? All you have to do is look at what a 40 year old, pristine automatic Bond watch goes for now; if you're someone who just wants the watch it's enough to make you break out into a cold sweat. Forward-thinking, patient sellers are probably Grinch-grinning though.
Anyway, this sparked a new search. I wanted a verifiable, brand-new-in-box 2531.80. Yeah, there were pristine used ones but that's not what I wanted. After an exhaustive 10 month search that included calling every Omega boutique (shoutout to Dario, the Chicago Omega manager for helping) and AD I could nothing turned up.
So I did the next best thing: I had EVERYTHING replaced on a used watch I found on Ebay. The bezel, the bracelet, the dial, the hands, the crown, the helium escape, full service... the only original part remaining is the case and parts of the movement that were deemed good. Expecting this, I knew while shopping for the used watch that the case was the only part which needed to be pristine. That and it needed to include the original box and papers. It actually wasn't too hard. I got an ok condition watch with original documents for $1500. The only major issues were a lot of scuffs on the bracelet and the bezel's scallops had been polished too much. They weren't sharp. No big deal as I was replacing it anyway.
The process with Omega was great. I live a few blocks from an Omega boutique and I was able to walk in and explain what my plan was. The people in store were fantastic. After first trying to help me find a new one (no dice) Dario mapped out a plan for me, gave an initial estimate, and then shipped it off to SWITZERLAND for me (this was a big favor because normally the do their basic servicing through Seattle with a fantastic group out there; but the best work is done in Switzerland - it probably didn't make a difference but considering the project I super appreciated it).
After about 8 weeks it was all done. Which kind blew my mind because the last simple service had (on my beater 2351.80) took ten damn months by a local watchmaker. So two months was like lightspeed. All told I spent just sky of $4,000. That's probably too much in many people's eyes but I don't care. I got exactly what I wanted from the process. An essentially new watch. Next week I will be dropping off my daily "beater" (it's in fine condition sans some marks on the bezel) 2531.80 to go through the exact same process. As Omega returns any replaced parts I like having doubles or even triples of parts like the dial. It will be nice to have those back-ups when I'm 60 and some serious fading has occurred or whatever.
So here are some photos if what it looks like. I've also done some side-by-sides with my beater. The biggest most notable difference is the heft of the bracelet. It feels a LOT more substantial than the used bracelets. You don't realize just how worn/ground down they get until compared with a 20 year old bracelet that's been worn daily. It feels twice as thick and three times as strong despite looking the same.
Comments
www.justgiving.com/inMemoryOfLewisCollins
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Sadly, I’m old enough to have bought one at the time...but I absolutely adore it and have pretty much worn it every day since! (I treated myself to a 1966 Seamaster for my 50th, which is beautiful, but I always go back to old blue...) I actually like the scratches/markings on mine as I know they are all mine.
I’m not ‘with’ prices / valuations as some people are on here. I bought mine as I thought it looked incredible and it still makes me smile every time I glance down at it. It was A LOT of money for me then (about a months wages - it was the watch or an engagement ring. Still single... ;-) ) but I never regret a penny of it.
Congratulations on the overhaul - I trust you will get as much enjoyment out of it as I have mine.
I think your pictures give me all the proof I need that my initial thoughts were correct...! ;-)
Ferinstal: Man, I love the NATO strap. I like how the grays compliment the blue. But I also spend a lot of time at the beach with my dog. So sand getting between bracelet links is something I wanna completely avoid (even on a daily beater). But for dressy occasions SS bracelet all the way.
I’m guessing you have a lot more beach / sun than I get in the good ol’ U of K...! ;-)
Either way it is all good!
With no disrespect to anybody’s preference, i honestly haven’t seen a later model I like more so far.
Well done enjoy in good health
Cheers :007)
P.S Mine says hi
@frommeyer
Is this watch still on your wrist? I admire your enthusiasm for this model. I'm currently wearing one.
I did something similar but with the Seamaster Professional 300m 2220.80, which was worn by Bond for the latter part of Casino Royale (from the train arrival in Montenegro to the end of the movie).
I had purchased the watch pre-owned with box and papers a couple of years ago and sent it to an Omega Service Center to have the watch cleaned and serviced. They replaced the gaskets, crowns, hands, bezel, and crystal. The dial was in perfect shape so I decided not to replace that (it would have cost something like $450 extra). I also purchased a new 1503/825 bracelet (the Bond bracelet) to go with it. It now looks like a brand new watch. Casino Royale is my favorite Bond movie so I was drawn to this model to have restored to basically new condition.
I also own the 2531.80 automatic like the one above, and own the 2541.80 quartz version as worn in GoldenEye, which I use as my rough and tumble watch.