My first notice that the Seamaster
2531.80.00 was likely to be dropped came in an eMail directly from Omega
SA, on January 9. Recall, this is
the second watch worn by James Bond in the films. So the broader
context of my dialogue with Omega officials at that time was how the new
Casino Royale watch would affect the current Bond line.
"...in any case (the)
2531.80 will be
equipped with a co-axial movement," said this high-placed source at
Omega Switzerland.
Since then, I've kept my ears open
for anything I might hear from Authorized Dealers in my area, that I
deal with in other areas, and in the watch Forums, for information
trickling down mainstream. In the last two weeks, everyone I've dealt
with has "brought this to my attention" (unprompted, but keenly aware of
my Bond watch interests).
Don't expect formal confirmation much
before Baselworld 2006, which opens March 30. (Hey, with my background
in trade shows, I've written books on the
marketing power of product announcements via exhibitions!)
To the collector, however,
disappearance of the
2531.80.00 means an end to
M-5 Contemporaneous Tomorrow Never Dies watch production:
Fixed and diminishing supply, likely increases to now-vintage status
pre-owned and NOS pieces. The
2541.80.00, as a quartz, is in a separate class of timepiece,
making informed speculation difficult. But it will, without a doubt, be
left as the only
M-5 Brosnan-era Bond watch available new.
Timing of this is a bit interesting,
in that I'm seeing a bit of chatter on the watch Forums regarding
"sudden stop syndrome" among the caliber 1120 movements in these
watches. I regularly let my current Bond Seamaster
2531.80 run down to a stop (off wrist), then pick it up later,
wind it, and head off for wear on special occasions. This watch was
bought new, from an Authorized Dealer; never a problem.
On the other hand, I owned a 2000
vintage
2531.80 that the Omega Authorized Service Center in Secaucus,
New Jersey, disclosed to me had been manufactured with a 1993 movement
installed.
That watch was darn hard to re-start
once it stopped.
BaselWorld 2006
(English), March 30 - April 6, 2006
<LINK>
"How to start an auto
movement?" TimeZone
<LINK>
"Omega Forum: Frequently Asked
Questions Page," TimeZone
<LINK>
"watch stopped running,"
Chronocentric
<LINK>
