I was extremely fortunate to pick up a titanium Seamaster on the Bond bracelet (reference 2231.80.00) from a well regarded collector a few weeks ago.
Fortunate because this lovely fellow was offering this discontinued and relatively rare version of the SMP at a VERY reasonable price. Fortunate because I almost sort of nearly had enough funds in my bank account to make it happen. OK, so I had to barter with a dentist that week, offering my 16600 as collateral in order to facilitate an energency wisdom tooth removal (I kid you not!), because I needed the spare $$$ for this watch, but I
more or less had the readies. All is well that ends well!
And fortunate because I'm a big Bond fan. My Planet Ocean was on the market at the time, and I was missing it before it was even sold. Due the fickleness, peculiarities, and vagaries of the WIS world, right now everybody wants their Seamaster on the Speedmaster bracelet, as per the 2254.50 and such, which means the Bond bracelet models are relatively and surprisingly affordable. I'm a bit of a traditionalist, a stickler, and a purist when it comes to watches. I
want my Seamaster on
the Seamaster bracelet, which is the rather elaborate and supremely comfortable nine link version, as far as I am concerned.
When / if I eventually get around to adding a Speedie it will be on
the Speedie bracelet. Also, I want my Seamaster as worn by 007, thank you very much. And he NEVER rocked a Speedie bracelet. While the 2231.80 isn't technically a Bond watch, it's pretty damn close apart from the sword hands and Ti case. It's less blingy than the equivalent Bond watch (2531.80), too, more casual - James probably wore a 2231.80 on weekends while weeding or cleaning the loo. So, a Bond
-ish watch, then.
An added bonus is that the Bond bracelet is more comfortable than the already-very-comfortable Speedie bracelet, and pretty much on a par with the PO bracelet in this respect. It is even fitted with the same machined clasp as the PO. A shame, then, and somewhat ironic, that this beautiful clasp is also responsible for the one aspect of this model which really grinds my gears - no micro-adjust.
There were other appealing aspects to this particular watch. I sold my Samurai last year and missed having a Ti watch. I like steel, but the duller, less white, more matte grey of Ti has it's own character. Also, since selling my Orange Monster and gifting my SNK809, the watch box was completely lacking in colour. Plus, I've never owned a blue dial, and Omega really nailed it on this one.
I have also been looking for a daily wear type watch which is a bit dressier than my much loved Giez. Apart from the 16600 (which, technically, belongs to my hoped-for future son, and so should be
treated with respect) all my other 'classy' watches are either vintage (and therefore should be
treated with respect) or LNIB / near mint (and therefore should be
treated with respect). The 'treat with respect' part doesn't really fit with the remit of my day-to-day activities, since I commute by bike. Although this 2231 is in good nick, there is still enough wabi that I won't have to worry about every little scratch and dink. So it will join the Giez in the daily rotation, cycling and all (not off-road though).
Finally, the opportunity to purchase from a fellow forum member and actual enthusiast, as opposed to the increasingly prevalent pawn broker / stooge types, was just too good to pass up. It's been a long time between drinks, and it was worth the wait - a case of the stars aligning, and all that guff.
