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BP Omega PO Ceramic Titanium 45mm w/ Rubber Strap Review (Pics + Video)

Luc717

Getting To Know The Place
11/8/13
97
0
0
So after a shaky start with my BP Omega PO Cr Ti, I have finally got round to replacing the bezel insert and taken some pics now I’ve got rid of the awful original pearl. I’m not going to post a full review as khashayar on RWG has done an excellent job of that here, but would like to share a few thoughts.


  • The titanium weight is great. At first it reminded me that it was a rep in the way that a lightweight quartz model would, but now I find it so comfortable that I can’t imagine wearing anything else as my daily beater.
  • The lume is exceptional, I’ve never seen anything like it.
  • The AR is excellent. Crystal disappears at most angles and has a pale blue hue from others, which is apparently true to gen. Only slight disappointment is that the crystal or AR has picked up a few scratches.
  • The rubber strap is honestly the smoothest rubber I’ve ever felt. In fact the inside of the band doesn’t even feel like rubber, it has a sort of powdery feel. Apparently some gen bracelet owners have purchased the rep strap and I can see why. The detail on the stitching is exceptional and the clasp is very solid feeling.
  • The bezel. This is my favourite part of the watch now that I have updated it. I bought my PO in October 2013 and a new batch was introduced by BP in November 2013 with a much improved ceramic bezel. The original was aluminium and a bit dull/dark. This new version completes the watch and is incredible. BP has done a fantastic job to replicate the Liquidmetal finish on the gen and the way it changes colour from a bright blue to a grey in different light. I have tried to show this in my photos, hence why there are so many. The only slight disappointment is that the grey paint is still liable to be scratched off the bezel. You can see on the triangle on mine that it’s already had some damage in the factory. This is only a minor negative though. If you bought your BP Ti PO before November 2013, I definitely recommend updating your bezel insert. More info here: http://forum.replica-watch.info/vb/showthread.php?t=174130
  • I have had a few issues with the ‘ETA’ 2836-2 movement (documented on the forums), resulting in the date not changing under its own steam. This is something I will be fixing when I get time. I always wanted a ‘Swiss’ movement though, so no regrets there. It keeps great time.
  • Overall, the detail on every part of the watch is incredible. Now I have updated the bezel insert, for me this watch is a super rep. Everything is gen-like. I took it into an independent watchsmith and they thought it was a gen, particularly due to the decoration on the rotor and movement. Obviously this was ironic as it is the biggest tell to those who know their Omegas, but it shows the quality finish of this rep. A few of my friends have gens and they are all envious of this watch.

I should note that I have changed the bezel insert myself and it now sits slightly unevenly, meaning the rim of the bezel sticks out, particularly above the pearl. This is shown in some of the photos but new purchasers won’t have this problem as this isn’t how they come from the factory. I need to work out how to remove the insert without damaging it so that I can re-fit it correctly. Please also excuse the slightly scratched caseback. When you’re a noob, use a stickyball, not a caseback opener like me – d’oh! My next project is to repair the movement so that the date changes under its own steam again (problem with the calendar wheel/gear) and file the hands slightly. I’ll post a tutorial once I get time to do the job.

A big thank you to everyone who has posted their experiences or helped me directly, I have had quite a few issues with my first rep but am now extremely pleased with my purchase.

Here is a short video showing the reflective qualities of the bezel. It would be great if more members could make video reviews, as there is really no substitute for getting a feel for a rep.

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KNyUl5r7oE[/YOUTUBE]

Edit: Anyone who can't access the YouTube video should be able to here (clickable)

A selection of my photos are below. I have taken loads to show the colour-changing of the bezel in different light, but can’t really post them all! The full set is available on Flickr here: http://flic.kr/s/aHsjSULzk9 . If you want to save any full-res photos from there, just click on the full screen icon, then right click and select ‘original’. You should then be able to save the image.

Enjoy!







































Edit 23/02/14: Added some electric light shots. More on the Flickr set linked above. Hold on to your wallets... ;)



































 

Luc717

Getting To Know The Place
11/8/13
97
0
0
Thanks! Is the YouTube video working for everyone? Works for me on Tapatalk but not on my laptop...
 

Expat

Getting To Know The Place
6/2/14
21
0
1
Thank you for the post!! Very interesting info for someone looking for a PO.

No Youtube video from the iPad neither... :(
 

Luc717

Getting To Know The Place
11/8/13
97
0
0
I've edited the original post to include a link below where the vid should load, so you should be able view it on YouTube now. Also added some electric light shots and some more of the strap. Enjoy!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 

jcagara08

I'm Pretty Popular
9/1/11
1,158
105
63
Aaamaaazaaaaaeeng! Damn love this CrPO too much I am glad the bezel is now real ceramic such gorgeous piece man! Wear in good health!


Sent from my iPhone 5S using Tapatalk
 

dredd0606

Active Member
11/2/12
232
0
0
Any idea how we can protect the bezel from the paint coming off so easily? I have one of the new bezels, and it comes off so easily it's ridiculous. Even rubbing it on a shirt for a quick polish sometimes results in paint coming off.
 

Luc717

Getting To Know The Place
11/8/13
97
0
0
Wow that's really bad. Mine seems ok so far but I wouldn't be surprised if it starts to come off with more wear. That being said, it's my daily beater and it's been fine for the month or so that I've had that bezel on, so maybe yours is a defective part? Could perhaps ask for a free replacement?

I'd certainly be interested in any ideas to protect it to. Off the top of my head I would think it would need to be a liquid based, perhaps spray on coating, to avoid losing the finish


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

dredd0606

Active Member
11/2/12
232
0
0
Yeah, the watch is back with Ryan right now, getting the bezel and crystal gasket replaced. Can't wait to get her back, one of my favourite reps!
 

jgriffter

Getting To Know The Place
5/1/14
24
0
1
Dredd you have me concerned about the bezel paint. I just ordered a CrPO from Toro and have not received it yet. Love the look of the watch but wary of the bezel issue you describe. It is a BP watch. Are all of them like this, even if it is a brand new watch? What is Ryan doing with yours to remedy yours? Will the new bezel paint scratch also?
 

dredd0606

Active Member
11/2/12
232
0
0
Dredd you have me concerned about the bezel paint. I just ordered a CrPO from Toro and have not received it yet. Love the look of the watch but wary of the bezel issue you describe. It is a BP watch. Are all of them like this, even if it is a brand new watch? What is Ryan doing with yours to remedy yours? Will the new bezel paint scratch also?

Ryan is going to replace the bezel on mine, but I did have to reject 3 different watches on qc photos because large chunks of paint were missing from the bezel. I think when I get it back I may try some kind of lacquer on it, just to protect the paint. Unless someone else has a better idea.
 

dredd0606

Active Member
11/2/12
232
0
0
I had a BP version of this and never had bezel paint rub off.

Good to know, perhaps my original qc photos and my watch were from a bad batch? Just so everyone knows, I'm not talking small dots of paint. Basically my whole "2" in "20" was gone and half my triangle.
 

dredd0606

Active Member
11/2/12
232
0
0
Got a pm from MrPap a few days ago, apparently parts are not available for this watch yet.