I’ve owned my Seamaster Midsize Automatic (2551.80.00) for 25 years and except for the time it’s being serviced I wear it everyday no matter what I'm doing. The issue with the bezel is a known trait with this model in the Omega watch line. A trick to rotating the bezel is to push down as you turn, it's still going to be hard to rotate. It’s a beautiful watch and I’ve never desired another timepiece. In June of 1998 this watch sold for $1750 USD
If you take your palm over the domed crystal, it’s easy to rotate the bezel on this model. Getting it perfectly straight is the hard part for sure though, pesky.
Hi, I watched your review and you commented about the bezel being stiff. You are right, however it is dirt in the mechanism that primarily makes it worse. People do not generally use the bezel nor do they wash their watches. Please wash your watch in warm soapy water with an old toothbrush and then rinse with clean water. Then rotate the bezel several times to clean the movement. You should find the bezel much easier to move. The bezel to some degree must be stiff to prevent it actually moving. Commercial divers use the bezel to measure time elapsed so it's a serious part of the watches' function. Cleaning your watch applies to all watches with a bezel including rolex submariners.
Another jeweler I spoke with mentioned regularly cleaning with a soft bristle tooth brush and unscented Dawn dish soap. He uses a very light Nye lubricant on the bezel and braclet/clasp.
The prices of these midsize SMP have been climbing. When did you purchase yours for $1,300? Would you have more video footage of how this 36mm wears on your wrist? Keen to pick one up as well.
I purchased mine about a year ago from a reputable eBay seller (closer0924 is their username). I've had good luck with them. As for videos I'll do a state of the collection after the new year and will pop it back on the wrist. Thanks for watching!
I purchased mine NIB on 12/17/00 for $1,030 + tax from Ross Simmons. I ordered the 42mm, but the 36mm was shipped instead. After a lot of B!tching since it was my personal Xmas present they sold the watch that was sent at cost or at a loss. I ended up saving over $1,000+. I won that day.
@@Justin-ml8id The market for the quartz version will level of once more auto's come back onto the market at reasonable prices. For collection purposes auto is always the way to go when you are spending $1k plus.
Wet fingers make it easier to to move the bezel as it should, eg in the water. Agree not so easy to turn with dry fingers tho, my Rolex Sub is much better at dry finger bezel movement but I've owned my Omega Seamaster for over 20+ years and its still my fav watch, even over my Sub.
@@wehrleyswatchbox7543 You may need to clean the bezel....Tooth brush and hot water whilst turning the bezel, or get the bezel taken off and cleaned. Like all bezel watches gunk can collect under the bezel. I've just tried mine again with dry fingers and it moves perfectly fine after its cleaning session.
I’ve had my 2551 for a few years. I got a new bezel a couple years ago and brush it with a tooth brush at least once a week and works fine. And I wear it everyday even to work and doing yard work.
The bezel spring on my watch has been replaced twicw - once under warranty and the other at my own expense. My jeweler that performed the 2nd spring replacement simply said that Omega cut coners on the functionabilty of this feature. The spring is easily gummed up and will lead to a failure if not regularly cleaned and lubricated.
@@wehrleyswatchbox7543 That sounds like music in my ears. Just purchased one in Japan. Hope I made the right choice. I had an Omega Aqua Terra (2012) but the lume was almost non existe nt..
@@wehrleyswatchbox7543 I bought my SMP on 12/20/2000. The lume is almost nonexsistant. Even the red painted tip of the seconds hand is very faded. The S/N shows it was mfg in 1997, maybe they used a differend lume blend at that time.
@@brechtvanhoenacker3224 From what I have heard the lume will degrade much faster if it's your everyday wear and is exposed to UV rays over a long period of time. On the plus side, the patina of older lume adds value to the watch. Do not get a new dial or have the lume refurbished.
@@brechtvanhoenacker3224hey! Would you mind elaborating on where in Japan you picked this up and for how much? I was thinking of buying it in Europe, but I’m also travelling to Japan later in the year!
I’ve owned my Seamaster Midsize Automatic (2551.80.00) for 25 years and except for the time it’s being serviced I wear it everyday no matter what I'm doing. The issue with the bezel is a known trait with this model in the Omega watch line. A trick to rotating the bezel is to push down as you turn, it's still going to be hard to rotate. It’s a beautiful watch and I’ve never desired another timepiece.
In June of 1998 this watch sold for $1750 USD
Been looking for a good review for the mid size, thanks a lot!!!!
Thanks for the feedback! It truly is a great watch.!
Why not show it on your wrist?😢
Great Review my man!
Thanks for watching and for the feedback, I appreciate it!
Enjoyed the review, thank you. 👍 Perhaps need to even out the sound volumes - the music blasts through, then your voice is really quiet.
Thanks for feedback, I appreciate it! I'll take a look and make some adjustments for future videos
LOL. Just heard your bezel comment. So true and very funny.
It really is a pain lol. Maybe it needs cleaned, but I've heard of several other people having the same issue!
Just added this one to my collection
If you take your palm over the domed crystal, it’s easy to rotate the bezel on this model. Getting it perfectly straight is the hard part for sure though, pesky.
Hi, I watched your review and you commented about the bezel being stiff. You are right, however it is dirt in the mechanism that primarily makes it worse. People do not generally use the bezel nor do they wash their watches. Please wash your watch in warm soapy water with an old toothbrush and then rinse with clean water. Then rotate the bezel several times to clean the movement. You should find the bezel much easier to move. The bezel to some degree must be stiff to prevent it actually moving. Commercial divers use the bezel to measure time elapsed so it's a serious part of the watches' function. Cleaning your watch applies to all watches with a bezel including rolex submariners.
I'll have to try that out and give it a good cleaning. Thanks for commenting!
I had a similar experience with my Seiko Solar Dive Watch. I started working the bezel in the shower and it has not been a problem since.
Hmmm.... Maybe I'll have to give that a try!
@@wehrleyswatchbox7543 Did it work? :D
Another jeweler I spoke with mentioned regularly cleaning with a soft bristle tooth brush and unscented Dawn dish soap. He uses a very light Nye lubricant on the bezel and braclet/clasp.
The prices of these midsize SMP have been climbing. When did you purchase yours for $1,300? Would you have more video footage of how this 36mm wears on your wrist? Keen to pick one up as well.
I purchased mine about a year ago from a reputable eBay seller (closer0924 is their username). I've had good luck with them. As for videos I'll do a state of the collection after the new year and will pop it back on the wrist. Thanks for watching!
1300 is absolutely good value. Right now, the Quartz go for even higher than that
Yeah the prices seem to be going higher and higher as of late
I purchased mine NIB on 12/17/00 for $1,030 + tax from Ross Simmons. I ordered the 42mm, but the 36mm was shipped instead. After a lot of B!tching since it was my personal Xmas present they sold the watch that was sent at cost or at a loss. I ended up saving over $1,000+. I won that day.
@@Justin-ml8id The market for the quartz version will level of once more auto's come back onto the market at reasonable prices. For collection purposes auto is always the way to go when you are spending $1k plus.
Wet fingers make it easier to to move the bezel as it should, eg in the water. Agree not so easy to turn with dry fingers tho, my Rolex Sub is much better at dry finger bezel movement but I've owned my Omega Seamaster for over 20+ years and its still my fav watch, even over my Sub.
Good to know! Yes, it's my favorite diver. Absolutely love it!
@@wehrleyswatchbox7543 You may need to clean the bezel....Tooth brush and hot water whilst turning the bezel, or get the bezel taken off and cleaned. Like all bezel watches gunk can collect under the bezel. I've just tried mine again with dry fingers and it moves perfectly fine after its cleaning session.
I’ve had my watch for over 20 years. No issues with the bezel. Might it be an issue with your watch?
It could be. Possibly needs cleaned. But I've read of several people having trouble with the bezel, so I'm not sure. Thanks for commenting!
I’ve had my 2551 for a few years. I got a new bezel a couple years ago and brush it with a tooth brush at least once a week and works fine. And I wear it everyday even to work and doing yard work.
I'll have to try that! Thanks
The bezel spring on my watch has been replaced twicw - once under warranty and the other at my own expense. My jeweler that performed the 2nd spring replacement simply said that Omega cut coners on the functionabilty of this feature. The spring is easily gummed up and will lead to a failure if not regularly cleaned and lubricated.
Good to know, thanks for commenting!
why upload it with such weak audio :(
Have you ever dived😉
What is the lug width for straps?
talk softer please.
How is the lume of the watch?
Lume is phenomenal for a 21 yr old watch. Better than many brand new watches!
@@wehrleyswatchbox7543 That sounds like music in my ears. Just purchased one in Japan. Hope I made the right choice. I had an Omega Aqua Terra (2012) but the lume was almost non existe
nt..
@@wehrleyswatchbox7543 I bought my SMP on 12/20/2000. The lume is almost nonexsistant. Even the red painted tip of the seconds hand is very faded. The S/N shows it was mfg in 1997, maybe they used a differend lume blend at that time.
@@brechtvanhoenacker3224 From what I have heard the lume will degrade much faster if it's your everyday wear and is exposed to UV rays over a long period of time. On the plus side, the patina of older lume adds value to the watch. Do not get a new dial or have the lume refurbished.
@@brechtvanhoenacker3224hey! Would you mind elaborating on where in Japan you picked this up and for how much? I was thinking of buying it in Europe, but I’m also travelling to Japan later in the year!
Way too small!!