Just Like every superhero, every watch collector has their own origin story. Bruce Wayne tragically witnessed the murder of his parents, Peter Parker got bit by a radioactive spider, and my story started with the 1995 Bond movie Goldeneye. I was 10 years old and just like Frank Abignail Jr. I became enamoured with the thoughts of becoming a gentleman spy. However, unlike Frank, I did not have the money from conning people to get an Aston Martin, but the iconic Omega Seamaster Professional reference number 2531.80.00 watch stuck with me. I remember watching my generation’s Bond, Pierce Brosnan, use this watch to cut himself out of a train that was about to explode, or even remotely detonate explosives, and the obsession began.

Although I am a bit late to the party considering this watch was made from 1993 to 2006, this was my original grail watch, and I can’t believe it took me so long to get it. I kept telling myself to wait until I found a new old stock watch, but at this point in time I think it is the best bang for your buck. So, if you can find a good used one on the market, pick one up. I have a feeling that they might be going up in price especially with the 2018 release bringing back the wave dial and not to mention this being an Iconic Bond watch.

Let me go over some of the technical specifications of this watch. This watch is COSC certified. It has the date at the 3 O’clock position, and a screw down crown and a helium escape valve at the 9 O’clock position, something the Rolex Submariner doesn’t have. The case and the bracelet are both made out of steel. The lug width is 20mm, the diameter is 41 mm and the scalloped bezel and the dial are blue. However, if you look closely at the dial you can see those Seamaster waves that captivate me every time I look at the dial! The case thickness is about 11 to 11.5 mm which is quite thin for a diver, and fits Under Le Cuff quite easily and well. It has 1000ft, 300m or 30 bar water resistance. It also has a domed anti reflective scratch resistant sapphire crystal, and if we look on the case back it has legendary seahorse design.

If you have a chance, I do recommend you pick one up. I actually picked mine up off of eBay. I usually hate getting anything off of eBay, but this seller had close to 100% positive ratings, and I won the bid at a great price. Just be patient, and get what you want. Don’t settle! Also no matter how good it looks, be sure to send it in for servicing to Omega. It will come back looking brand new.