It’s time for another Challenge Episode and this time we have picked Omega and a hypothetical budget of $15,000. Jason and James each have to pick at least two watches from Omega’s current catalog and once a watch is picked, it can’t be picked again. Some of the picks are predictable, others not so much. We hope you love it and be sure to let us know your picks in the comments.
Great episode! Love the challenge shows. $15k at Omega will go a very long way. For our 10 year anniversary my wife just bought me a 41mm Aqua Terra with the grey dial and blue seconds hand on the really amazing rubber strap. Since I was involved in the acquisition (she knew what she wanted to get me but didn't feel comfortable doing it on her own) we ended up getting it for about 20% below the MSRP! To me, it makes it an absolute bargain.
So for me with $15k, I'd go with this watch that I already have at retail is $5,500, and then go with the NTTD Bond Seamaster on the bracelet for $9,200 - total of $14,700. Seems like a super fun combo. The AT is an absolute chameleon and can feel like a very contemporary, sporty, yet dressy watch - I could easily toss it on a nice leather strap to dress it up more. Then the Bond would just be on that bracelet all the time.
I'm interested in the Apple Ultra Watch but wary of buying anything Apple that I expect to last longer than two years. And yes, I am firmly in the Apple ecosystem, and own a number of their devices.
I don't want to have to upgrade a watch every two model years like I do my computer and my phone. And I'm not sure I want to spend $1100 for what will end up as a funny looking bracelet
I have loved Omega from a far, even having owned a couple of vintage models. I have never owned a modern Omega but if I had to buy a collection at $15k my picks would be:
There’s a shop on Etsy called WatchBandsSDV (based in Europe) that sells a fabric strap for Garmin watches which is similar in functionality to the one on the new Apple Watch Ultra. I had a few of them for mine and they’re excellent, similar material to an Ericas strap.
Great episode. I’m definitely one of the “not a smartwatch but the Ultra is interesting” group. I’ve actually ordered it and 2 extra strap. Now we wait.
As a guy who loves his NTTD seamaster, a little surprised you guys didn’t pick the world timer. I figured that was right up your alley! Jumping hour hand, amagnetic, cool globe laser etched in the middle of the dial. Maybe a little big but even in my puny 6.5” wrist it looked great especially on the rubber.
I had a Pioneer head unit with Android Auto and Apple Car Play in my previous car. So much better than Bluetooth or AUX connection to a car stereo.
So when it was time to replace it a few years ago, Android Auto/Apple Car Play was a hard requirement since most modern cars are impossible to put an aftermarket head unit into.
I'm glad you were able to find an aftermarket solution that works for you, James.
I loved the plug for Omega quartz! I have a Seamaster 300 quartz (blue dial, sword hands, stainless bezel) that I got almost a decade ago and it has been my most reliable GRAB N GO watch, that also looks the absolute business!! Great episode as always boys.
Huge Omega guy here. I have an Aqua Terra in my collection and have plans to get a 300m at some point, so both lists resonated with me. But I'm going to to with James' list here simply due to the fact that I've also lusted after that 1948 Seamaster. I'm a quality over quantity guy and gun to my head, I'd want James' two watches over Jason's three. But, I'm also not a chronograph guy and I know Jason is, so I get where both guys were coming from. Both lists are great.
What would I do with $15K from Omega? I'd do the Seamaster 300m in green on rubber ($5,100), and a 39.5 PO (blue dial on bracelet) for $6,550. With the $3,400 left over I'd probably just get an OEM bracelet for the 300m and a bunch of aftermarket straps for both watches. I'd be content with that power duo. Not the most versatile pair, but that wouldn't bother me at all.
So I guess I'm an OMEGA fanboy, so this episode resonated with me. The 1948 Seamasters (both center seconds and small seconds) were limited edition models, and both have been sold out for a while. I would suggest as an alternative a white-dial Constellation Globemaster. It is a throwback to the Pie Pan dials of 1950's and 1960's Constellations. It looks dressy, but it's actually more of a sportwatch than the 1948 Seamaster - the Tungsten bezel and lumed hands/markers make it a great travel watch.
One other note regarding the lightness of the Citizen "Challenge Diver". I like to fly fish. I'm left-handed. And I wear a watch on my left hand. For certain kinds of fishing, this involves significant arm motion and sometimes holding a fly rod up at shoulder level for hours. Turns out a heavy watch is noticeable at the end of the day. In this case, a super light watch is just the ticket....
I got quite emotional when listening to the results of the watch auction, what an incredible amount and gesture from both winner and runner up, as well as you Jason. A great cause which deserves all the support it can get
Still waiting for my Challenge // Zenith.....you both know who this is by now :)
Great episode! Love the challenge shows. $15k at Omega will go a very long way. For our 10 year anniversary my wife just bought me a 41mm Aqua Terra with the grey dial and blue seconds hand on the really amazing rubber strap. Since I was involved in the acquisition (she knew what she wanted to get me but didn't feel comfortable doing it on her own) we ended up getting it for about 20% below the MSRP! To me, it makes it an absolute bargain.
So for me with $15k, I'd go with this watch that I already have at retail is $5,500, and then go with the NTTD Bond Seamaster on the bracelet for $9,200 - total of $14,700. Seems like a super fun combo. The AT is an absolute chameleon and can feel like a very contemporary, sporty, yet dressy watch - I could easily toss it on a nice leather strap to dress it up more. Then the Bond would just be on that bracelet all the time.
I'm interested in the Apple Ultra Watch but wary of buying anything Apple that I expect to last longer than two years. And yes, I am firmly in the Apple ecosystem, and own a number of their devices.
I don't want to have to upgrade a watch every two model years like I do my computer and my phone. And I'm not sure I want to spend $1100 for what will end up as a funny looking bracelet
1948 is a beauty, but wish it had more than 60m rating.
I have loved Omega from a far, even having owned a couple of vintage models. I have never owned a modern Omega but if I had to buy a collection at $15k my picks would be:
Speedmaster 3861 Hesalite
Aqua Terra Ryder Cup 2016
300M Goldeneye quartz
Jemes: if you are looking for fancy scissors, there's a new Canadian company you should check out: https://ciselier.com/
There’s a shop on Etsy called WatchBandsSDV (based in Europe) that sells a fabric strap for Garmin watches which is similar in functionality to the one on the new Apple Watch Ultra. I had a few of them for mine and they’re excellent, similar material to an Ericas strap.
Great episode. I’m definitely one of the “not a smartwatch but the Ultra is interesting” group. I’ve actually ordered it and 2 extra strap. Now we wait.
As a guy who loves his NTTD seamaster, a little surprised you guys didn’t pick the world timer. I figured that was right up your alley! Jumping hour hand, amagnetic, cool globe laser etched in the middle of the dial. Maybe a little big but even in my puny 6.5” wrist it looked great especially on the rubber.
Now I want that AT Quartz. Thanks a LOT, Jason! haha
I had a Pioneer head unit with Android Auto and Apple Car Play in my previous car. So much better than Bluetooth or AUX connection to a car stereo.
So when it was time to replace it a few years ago, Android Auto/Apple Car Play was a hard requirement since most modern cars are impossible to put an aftermarket head unit into.
I'm glad you were able to find an aftermarket solution that works for you, James.
I loved the plug for Omega quartz! I have a Seamaster 300 quartz (blue dial, sword hands, stainless bezel) that I got almost a decade ago and it has been my most reliable GRAB N GO watch, that also looks the absolute business!! Great episode as always boys.
Huge Omega guy here. I have an Aqua Terra in my collection and have plans to get a 300m at some point, so both lists resonated with me. But I'm going to to with James' list here simply due to the fact that I've also lusted after that 1948 Seamaster. I'm a quality over quantity guy and gun to my head, I'd want James' two watches over Jason's three. But, I'm also not a chronograph guy and I know Jason is, so I get where both guys were coming from. Both lists are great.
What would I do with $15K from Omega? I'd do the Seamaster 300m in green on rubber ($5,100), and a 39.5 PO (blue dial on bracelet) for $6,550. With the $3,400 left over I'd probably just get an OEM bracelet for the 300m and a bunch of aftermarket straps for both watches. I'd be content with that power duo. Not the most versatile pair, but that wouldn't bother me at all.
So I guess I'm an OMEGA fanboy, so this episode resonated with me. The 1948 Seamasters (both center seconds and small seconds) were limited edition models, and both have been sold out for a while. I would suggest as an alternative a white-dial Constellation Globemaster. It is a throwback to the Pie Pan dials of 1950's and 1960's Constellations. It looks dressy, but it's actually more of a sportwatch than the 1948 Seamaster - the Tungsten bezel and lumed hands/markers make it a great travel watch.
One other note regarding the lightness of the Citizen "Challenge Diver". I like to fly fish. I'm left-handed. And I wear a watch on my left hand. For certain kinds of fishing, this involves significant arm motion and sometimes holding a fly rod up at shoulder level for hours. Turns out a heavy watch is noticeable at the end of the day. In this case, a super light watch is just the ticket....
Thanks for the great episode and especially thanks to James for working through the SoundCloud imbroglio.
James, I suspect the mods on your Jeep wouldn’t work on my ‘97 Cherokee. 🙄
Cheers, mates
I got quite emotional when listening to the results of the watch auction, what an incredible amount and gesture from both winner and runner up, as well as you Jason. A great cause which deserves all the support it can get