Thank you for posting this and for your knowledge and insight. I hope it is not lost that the Key reason these watches became iconic was because they were given to the elite members of the British military during the second world war - and performed superbly. Imported from Switzerland as it was neutral. This is why the Special Boat Service (elite unit upon which the SAS and later the US Navy Seals were based upon) adopted it. Later adopted by Ian Flemming’s character James Bond, who was of course, Special Boat Service before becoming 007. The one you have on your wrist from circa 1948 is the one produced for civilians post the war I believe. It is arguably among the most significant watches for Omega and certainly the Seamaster line. Pedigree transcends bling. Says a lot about Omega and their true humility at a time when bling eyesores are everywhere.
I agree it’s a nice watch (also agree with you about the caseback). For that price point though I’d prefer to just go vintage, since they’re very attainable and I like the patina you get from an old watch.
Shame it's so big. I love 34mm vintage watches on my small-medium wrist, and it's regrettable that this newer 38mm iteration doesn't match the sizing of its predecessors.
The case back is meaningful. During WWII Omega was a supplier for British Navy and Air Force. So, the fighter and the boat are symbolic. And you can still see the wonderful movement. Great watch. Tribute to the very first Seamaster. The edition limited to only 1948 pieces for each difference of two versions. The three hander has more to do with the first Seamaster than the small second version. I’m going to by one tomorrow from the AD. So strange that the three years after the issuance of the limited series it’s still available. Very understated watch. I’m sure it vill be very valuable few years later.
My first luxury watch was a 1960 Omega, Seamaster that is identical to the 48 in every way. I got it in 1995 for 190USD and I still wear it weekly. Amazing watch.
I'll be looking for a Seamaster from the 60s - 80s for a lot less money, lovely solid case back and smaller in size. That'll be my dressy special watch. The every day will be something like a 38mm Aqua Terra hopefully
Yeah! Some love for the central seconds version, most ppl seem to prefer the small seconds but I really like this one more. I like the updated smpc too, Omega has got me Seamaster crazy .........
Great video. Congratulations on owning such a nice classic Seamaster. I totally agree the design on the caseback is silly. Being a vintage homage I would have preferred a solid steel caseback. Although it has all the modern technology of Omega in the mechanics I think the price is too expensive. Its also a limited edition which is annoying. I prefer the original. They are much cheaper and the patina can not be mistaken for anything but vintage
as someone who has a similar watch (1953 seamaster with the same case but a 420 manual movement and all around applied indices), i wonder how this will affect the vintage market because i was hoping to be able to pick up a small seconds version, but i don't have a grand sitting around.
I've been waiting to pull the trigger on a watch for a while and this one comes sooo close to the style that I wanted, but that case back really is horrible.
Clyve Minotaur-Wrangler it is pretty tiring but the apollo xvii speedy was damn beautiful and this upcoming one is beautiful. If only they had some self control lol
Nice Bagelsport! It's a replica, a true replica but it's not an "Immoral" replica, i.e. use the name and logo of the original designer. I'm very supportive of them and work on them. We've had some freak snow storms here in the north east too. Oh, but the Submariner is all around the very best Rolex watch, especially the late per-ceramic/pre-grand case versions. The so-called "no-date" version is silly, isn't a military watch, don't have fixed bars, and now is all trashed up with the fat/grand-case, and a ceramic insert, it's just an eyesore. If you need one to be no date go back a few decades and find the vintage ones.
I’ve read that those co-axial movements are very difficult to work on - and for what? I bit more efficiency? It’s a gimmick. I wouldn’t buy one. I’d rather have the old original. Nice review, though. I like Christian’s analysis. Right on, as they used to say in the seventies.
UPDATE: Christian communicated the situation from his side. The fact that he put such detail into his response does show that he care. He did seem to take my feedback to heart and did get me a full refund. I would at least consider shopping for watches here again since it is such a solid collection of vintage watches. --Original Post--- Absolutely do not trust Theo & Harris with your busiuness. I bought a nice Tudor Prince Oysterdate from the team and absolutely loved it. That is until I realized it was losing about a minute and a half a day. So Christian from the T&H team gladly offered to pay for it to be regulated, as it probably got bumped in shipping. I took it to a well reviewed local watchmaker who said that actually the watch wasn't beating as fast as it should, which generally indicates a significantly larger issue. Christian offered to get it fixed up free of charge. So, I send it out, they get it on Feb 22. Weeks go by and I don't hear anything about watch repair updates for weeks, even with me emailing once a week, asking for ANY info. Eventually March 30th rolls around and Christian tells me that his watchmaker has just randomly up and left. He offered a discount on a watch strap for the inconvenience as well as offering to send my watch back unrepaired. At this point I realize that it will probably take them a few weeks to find a trusted watchmaker and get the watch fixed again. I say that if they can fix it within the next 2 weeks, I'll take the watch back or otherwise I just want a full refund. Here we are on April 9th and I have heard nothing at all back. I'll be calling Chase in the morning to dispute the original credit card charge. I would not do business with Theo & Harris again. It's just so disappointing because their site has such a great selection of vintages watches. They just either are a fraudulent company that don't care about you once they have your money or just are absolutely poorly operated. Either way, I recommend you taking your business elsewhere.
sumofty (the same message I sent via email after I saw the google review) Hey man!! Just woke up to over a dozen emails on both my business and personal accounts with screenshots of the review you just left on google of T&H so i wanted to personally address/update this immediately. I’ll start here: this email is not meant to persuade you to remove your review. Even though it will unquestionably negatively affect business, that’s just not my style. It’s your review, I feel terrible that that has been your experience and my goal is to fix this on a personal level, whether or not that resolution ever reaches the public is irrelevant. Onto your watch: our watchmaker bailed out on us, I mentioned this. And still, even though that broken relationship has temporarily destroyed my system and could cost me thousands upon thousands of dollars in perspective re-repair and warranty, I never considered sticking my clients with the bag. Your warrantee was with me, not a watchmaker - i’m the one that’s ultimately responsible with honoring the warranty, whether or not our specific watchmkaer is willing to. I think that that is a very, very important variable here. I’d like to ask you to take a step back and think from this POV : There is absolutely no doubt that this entire situation, on both sides, is inconvenient and unfortunate. And if it was a refund that you wanted from day one or day three, that absolutely would’ve been accommodated under the special circumstances, Even though it is absolutely common practice for service to take between one and four months. Please, next time you go to write a scathing review on the Internet about a business, particularly a smal one, do your best to really understand all of the circumstances. I do not challenge the validity of your experience at all, but I do wish that you understood a little bit more our side - maybe that’s my fault because I didn’t want to burden you with my problems, and I definitely understand that as well. By the way, while I’m 100% sure it was unintentional, that was a little rough that you mentioned Hans by name. A massive population knows who “Hans the watchmkaer” is and it was never my intention to tarnish his reputation, even if I am upset. I think has made a big, big mistake there’s no doubt. But I wouldn’t want out relatively minute run-in to seriously damage watch he has worked so hard to build. So, if you wouldn’t mind, please think about omitting his name from that review as a courtesy. And Please let me know what you would like to do. For clarity, here are your options as I see them 1) hang it there while we have your watch serviced - you could even have a loaner watch if your wrist has felt naked 2) return the watch altogether, which is absolutely a special exception - but one we’re willing to make for the sake of your satisfaction. Again, I am very embarrassed and sorry if this situation has come to this conversation. And I think the largest blame falls on my back for not making all of the variables clear to you as the customer. No rush in answering this - I know it was a lot and I’m sure you have other stuff to do! Christian
Have the exact vintage Omega with mesh band. This new piece is a beauty (want it), but way overpriced. Wait for it to drift to Grey market. Wow, tripping out on the case back.
The case back ruined the watch, if it had the old logo in craved then it would of been a little more respectable. Apart from that the watch is incredible
Indeed, that's freaking cool! I like your little Omega, especially that it is from your parents 😍 just marvelous! I also agree in terms of size, case back and price of the new releases.
Omega always ruin their watches with some cheesy case back design. I wish each watch came with an interview with the designers to explain their choices. It's probably the marketing department that needs to go into the woodchipper.
I agree, the case back on the re-issue Seamaster is just horrible! And although the co-axial movement yields big profits to Omega on servicing, to the owners of a co-axial movement it is a nightmare when it comes to servicing. Most watchmakers will not touch it. Omega made a huge mistake purchasing that movement for an enormous sum and an equally bad mistake in putting it in almost all their new watches. That is why their original vintage watches are so much better by a country mile.
I honestly would rather have these old looking watches with brand new insides. It's like a 69 mustang with a modern flat plane crank v8 and 6 pot brakes on it. Looks timeless but you know it's not gonna hug a tree if you attack a corner. That case back though.. good god. Boy oh boy that case back is a cluster fuck. For how simple and elegant it is from the from, the back looks like an after thought. And I know what an after thought is, I'm a designer. I've done this shit before. Like when I'm too tired to think of what something should look like I just download some public licensed vectors and stick them together to make something that looks.... like you put some thought into it.
The Longines Conquest Heritage is a much better option than this. Similar type watch and, at 35mm, is true to the vintage size. It also costs much less than one of these oversized and grossly overpriced pieces from Omega.
The beauty and unique look of vintage watch is simply impossible to imitate.
Your suggestion for the caseback is way better, love that idea. Also, would have preferred solid caseback with classic Seamaster logo.
philips defreville The solid caseback with the old logo would have been perfect.
No. Clear caseback without the printing on it would have been better. Why hide the beautiful interior?
Fully agree that a see-through caseback should not be cluttered with design stuff. Especially on a vintage inspired timepiece.
Thank you for posting this and for your knowledge and insight.
I hope it is not lost that the Key reason these watches became iconic was because they were given to the elite members of the British military during the second world war - and performed superbly.
Imported from Switzerland as it was neutral.
This is why the Special Boat Service (elite unit upon which the SAS and later the US Navy Seals were based upon) adopted it. Later adopted by Ian Flemming’s character James Bond, who was of course, Special Boat Service before becoming 007.
The one you have on your wrist from circa 1948 is the one produced for civilians post the war I believe.
It is arguably among the most significant watches for Omega and certainly the Seamaster line.
Pedigree transcends bling. Says a lot about Omega and their true humility at a time when bling eyesores are everywhere.
Special Boat Squadron.
I agree it’s a nice watch (also agree with you about the caseback). For that price point though I’d prefer to just go vintage, since they’re very attainable and I like the patina you get from an old watch.
It isn't just a plane on the back. It's a Gloster Meteor, the first and only British jet fighter to take part in WW2
Shame it's so big. I love 34mm vintage watches on my small-medium wrist, and it's regrettable that this newer 38mm iteration doesn't match the sizing of its predecessors.
I have a 1949 seamaster with 352rg calibre. It’s a gem. I think it’s one of the first seamasters ever made.
The case back is meaningful. During WWII Omega was a supplier for British Navy and Air Force. So, the fighter and the boat are symbolic. And you can still see the wonderful movement. Great watch. Tribute to the very first Seamaster. The edition limited to only 1948 pieces for each difference of two versions. The three hander has more to do with the first Seamaster than the small second version. I’m going to by one tomorrow from the AD. So strange that the three years after the issuance of the limited series it’s still available. Very understated watch. I’m sure it vill be very valuable few years later.
My first luxury watch was a 1960 Omega, Seamaster that is identical to the 48 in every way. I got it in 1995 for 190USD and I still wear it weekly. Amazing watch.
I was rewatching this episode and was wondering which bracelet you are wearing on your Seamaster?
I have the same watch as you. It was my Grandfather's in stainless & I wear it every day. Have other watches but this is my favorite. Elegant design.
I'll be looking for a Seamaster from the 60s - 80s for a lot less money, lovely solid case back and smaller in size. That'll be my dressy special watch. The every day will be something like a 38mm Aqua Terra hopefully
Seems a bit expensive and I totally agree with you re the case back. That engraving is a bit over the top and I think unnecessary.
Too expensive. I bought an original for $300.
Yeah! Some love for the central seconds version, most ppl seem to prefer the small seconds but I really like this one more. I like the updated smpc too, Omega has got me Seamaster crazy .........
Great video. Congratulations on owning such a nice classic Seamaster. I totally agree the design on the caseback is silly. Being a vintage homage I would have preferred a solid steel caseback. Although it has all the modern technology of Omega in the mechanics I think the price is too expensive. Its also a limited edition which is annoying. I prefer the original. They are much cheaper and the patina can not be mistaken for anything but vintage
Just getting into watches I'm looking at the omega seamaster 2 blue wave. How much should I expect to pay. I look and there all over the place.
I picked one up for $2.25AU at a thrift shop a few years back, I love it. Looses about a minute a week.
as someone who has a similar watch (1953 seamaster with the same case but a 420 manual movement and all around applied indices), i wonder how this will affect the vintage market because i was hoping to be able to pick up a small seconds version, but i don't have a grand sitting around.
I've been waiting to pull the trigger on a watch for a while and this one comes sooo close to the style that I wanted, but that case back really is horrible.
Videos summary: 38mm 👍🏼👍🏼, obstructed case back 👎🏼, price 👎🏼
Where did you get your cardigan from Christian? It's so nice!
I know Ralph Lauren them, quite expensive though but soooo warm!
So are there unlimited editions of Omega watches?
Loved the 1948 small seconds. When I turned it over and saw the hideous printing on the case back it was a hard no for me.
I find is surprising that this special edition is priced 2k higher than the new Seamaster 300m
Couldn't agree more. Very logical suggestions. But congratulations Omega just the same. Very nice pieces.
Where'd you get that cardigan
Very cool watches - both yours and Omega’s new release! 👍👍👍
yeah but is it waterproof?
There is no waterproof watch in this world, it's only water resistant. For this watch, it's 30 meters water resistant.
Oh, Omega released another limited edition? Imagine my surprise!
#sarcasm
Clyve Minotaur-Wrangler it is pretty tiring but the apollo xvii speedy was damn beautiful and this upcoming one is beautiful. If only they had some self control lol
😂
Nice Bagelsport! It's a replica, a true replica but it's not an "Immoral" replica, i.e. use the name and logo of the original designer. I'm very supportive of them and work on them. We've had some freak snow storms here in the north east too. Oh, but the Submariner is all around the very best Rolex watch, especially the late per-ceramic/pre-grand case versions. The so-called "no-date" version is silly, isn't a military watch, don't have fixed bars, and now is all trashed up with the fat/grand-case, and a ceramic insert, it's just an eyesore. If you need one to be no date go back a few decades and find the vintage ones.
Completely agree with the case back - not a good design choice
Is it too expensive to maintain a vintage Seamaster?
Would you say this is an acceptable watch to wear with eveningwear?
I’ve read that those co-axial movements are very difficult to work on - and for what?
I bit more efficiency? It’s a gimmick. I wouldn’t buy one. I’d rather have the old original.
Nice review, though. I like Christian’s analysis. Right on, as they used to say in the seventies.
UPDATE: Christian communicated the situation from his side. The fact that he put such detail into his response does show that he care. He did seem to take my feedback to heart and did get me a full refund. I would at least consider shopping for watches here again since it is such a solid collection of vintage watches.
--Original Post---
Absolutely do not trust Theo & Harris with your busiuness.
I bought a nice Tudor Prince Oysterdate from the team and absolutely loved it. That is until I realized it was losing about a minute and a half a day. So Christian from the T&H team gladly offered to pay for it to be regulated, as it probably got bumped in shipping. I took it to a well reviewed local watchmaker who said that actually the watch wasn't beating as fast as it should, which generally indicates a significantly larger issue. Christian offered to get it fixed up free of charge.
So, I send it out, they get it on Feb 22. Weeks go by and I don't hear anything about watch repair updates for weeks, even with me emailing once a week, asking for ANY info. Eventually March 30th rolls around and Christian tells me that his watchmaker has just randomly up and left. He offered a discount on a watch strap for the inconvenience as well as offering to send my watch back unrepaired.
At this point I realize that it will probably take them a few weeks to find a trusted watchmaker and get the watch fixed again. I say that if they can fix it within the next 2 weeks, I'll take the watch back or otherwise I just want a full refund.
Here we are on April 9th and I have heard nothing at all back. I'll be calling Chase in the morning to dispute the original credit card charge. I would not do business with Theo & Harris again. It's just so disappointing because their site has such a great selection of vintages watches. They just either are a fraudulent company that don't care about you once they have your money or just are absolutely poorly operated. Either way, I recommend you taking your business elsewhere.
sumofty (the same message I sent via email after I saw the google review)
Hey man!!
Just woke up to over a dozen emails on both my business and personal accounts with screenshots of the review you just left on google of T&H so i wanted to personally address/update this immediately.
I’ll start here: this email is not meant to persuade you to remove your review. Even though it will unquestionably negatively affect business, that’s just not my style. It’s your review, I feel terrible that that has been your experience and my goal is to fix this on a personal level, whether or not that resolution ever reaches the public is irrelevant.
Onto your watch: our watchmaker bailed out on us, I mentioned this. And still, even though that broken relationship has temporarily destroyed my system and could cost me thousands upon thousands of dollars in perspective re-repair and warranty, I never considered sticking my clients with the bag. Your warrantee was with me, not a watchmaker - i’m the one that’s ultimately responsible with honoring the warranty, whether or not our specific watchmkaer is willing to. I think that that is a very, very important variable here.
I’d like to ask you to take a step back and think from this POV :
There is absolutely no doubt that this entire situation, on both sides, is inconvenient and unfortunate. And if it was a refund that you wanted from day one or day three, that absolutely would’ve been accommodated under the special circumstances, Even though it is absolutely common practice for service to take between one and four months.
Please, next time you go to write a scathing review on the Internet about a business, particularly a smal one, do your best to really understand all of the circumstances. I do not challenge the validity of your experience at all, but I do wish that you understood a little bit more our side - maybe that’s my fault because I didn’t want to burden you with my problems, and I definitely understand that as well.
By the way, while I’m 100% sure it was unintentional, that was a little rough that you mentioned Hans by name. A massive population knows who “Hans the watchmkaer” is and it was never my intention to tarnish his reputation, even if I am upset. I think has made a big, big mistake there’s no doubt. But I wouldn’t want out relatively minute run-in to seriously damage watch he has worked so hard to build. So, if you wouldn’t mind, please think about omitting his name from that review as a courtesy.
And Please let me know what you would like to do. For clarity, here are your options as I see them 1) hang it there while we have your watch serviced - you could even have a loaner watch if your wrist has felt naked 2) return the watch altogether, which is absolutely a special exception - but one we’re willing to make for the sake of your satisfaction.
Again, I am very embarrassed and sorry if this situation has come to this conversation. And I think the largest blame falls on my back for not making all of the variables clear to you as the customer.
No rush in answering this - I know it was a lot and I’m sure you have other stuff to do!
Christian
Got it! Thank you
Theo and Harris ...the watchmaker in question’s name now appears only in your reply. Just sayin
I like your sweater.
Old school, back in the yard!
I would buy it in an instant if not for that stupid case back where you cannot even see inside the movement. Ridiculous Omega what were you thinking?
Have the exact vintage Omega with mesh band. This new piece is a beauty (want it), but way overpriced. Wait for it to drift to Grey market. Wow, tripping out on the case back.
Tudor has released METAS certified watches retailing at half the price.
I love vintage too. OMEGA.
I have the same exact watch in perfect original condition.
Sorry Christian, but to me your dial looks awful. I wish I could afford to buy one of the reissues.
If it had a white dial I would scoop one up. A cool nod to history nonetheless.
Excellent points about its poor case-back graphic, and also the bi-line addition. :)
If it wasn’t for the back I would buy one tomorrow. Such a shame.
Why do I not own the vintage example already 😫
Have the same original. Very cool.
LOVE the watch for so many reasons. The design on the case back was definitely a mistake.
30mm ladies watch???
So it's a re issue in a different size and with a different movement. Got it. lol
The case back ruined the watch, if it had the old logo in craved then it would of been a little more respectable. Apart from that the watch is incredible
Indeed, that's freaking cool! I like your little Omega, especially that it is from your parents 😍 just marvelous!
I also agree in terms of size, case back and price of the new releases.
Very nice
I'd rather wear my 56 Seamaster Calendar than that!
Omega always ruin their watches with some cheesy case back design. I wish each watch came with an interview with the designers to explain their choices. It's probably the marketing department that needs to go into the woodchipper.
Hi from Australia :)
Hi from USA! :)
Are you drunk on the latest Instagram story?
I agree, the case back on the re-issue Seamaster is just horrible! And although the co-axial movement yields big profits to Omega on servicing, to the owners of a co-axial movement it is a nightmare when it comes to servicing. Most watchmakers will not touch it. Omega made a huge mistake purchasing that movement for an enormous sum and an equally bad mistake in putting it in almost all their new watches. That is why their original vintage watches are so much better by a country mile.
Christian thank you for the interesting video. Can I send you a privat email? I havea few questions I would lije to ask you. Rgds Pedro
I like them smaller watches got way too big
Use punctuation.
Christians watch made it through the Korean war - much cooler than the new reissue !
my first decent watch was a used sixties seamaster . i paid 30 canadian $ back in 1974 . to think a new one is now 6 grand is pretty crazy
Nice Video. Omega to many editions though. Not worth it because of it.
I honestly would rather have these old looking watches with brand new insides. It's like a 69 mustang with a modern flat plane crank v8 and 6 pot brakes on it. Looks timeless but you know it's not gonna hug a tree if you attack a corner. That case back though.. good god. Boy oh boy that case back is a cluster fuck. For how simple and elegant it is from the from, the back looks like an after thought. And I know what an after thought is, I'm a designer. I've done this shit before. Like when I'm too tired to think of what something should look like I just download some public licensed vectors and stick them together to make something that looks.... like you put some thought into it.
The Longines Conquest Heritage is a much better option than this. Similar type watch and, at 35mm, is true to the vintage size. It also costs much less than one of these oversized and grossly overpriced pieces from Omega.
Another $500 on a seamaster now christian???...............
Too big ... Needed to be 34-36mm .
Don’t they have a watch person designing these watches? Horrible
Huge mistake in making this watch by fitting very short hour and minute hands to a large case!