Comments:
. . . contrasting the vertical slats on the dial to the horizontal slats of the Venetian blinds - shoulda thought of that myself! Thanks for the comments, CF, and I'll be posting my thoughts this weekend . . . cordially, Art
. . . and from my perspective at least, as high a compliment one can pay to Omega . . . cordially, Art
Quick impressions of the AT 8500
Art's photos of the annual calendar version of this watch inspired me to have a look at the simpler date version, which is now finally in stock. This is the smaller (38.5 mm) version of the watch, which also comes in a larger (41.5 mm) version.
I'm late for the airport, but here are some very quick reactions:
1. The finishing on this watch is strikingly superior to the finishing on any other watch I have encountered at this price point.
2. The pinstripe ("teck") pattern on the dial is subtler in the metal than in most of the photos I've seen on the web (and subtler than you might infer from my photos here). Which is a good thing, too, because I wasn't sure I'd like it until I saw it.
3. This watch and any light source have an amazing, unpredictable, electric relationship. The dial looks black, gray, or blue depending on the light conditions.
4. The display back is a nice touch, though the finishing of the 8500 movement obviously isn't comparable to, say, the finishing on Lange or Patek movements.
5. The watch is eerily accurate so far, which comports with the experience I've seen reported elsewhere.
6. The 8500 movement comes with a bonus feature: as with the Rolex GMT, you can adjust the hour alone without stopping the movement.
7. Speaking of Rolex, this watch is (or at least should be) a dagger pointed at the heart of the DateJust. I used to own one of the new DJs until I sold it for lack of wrist time. This watch has the look and feel of a watch that should occupy a higher price point than a DJ.
OK, I'd better be off before I miss my plane. I'm looking forward to Art's review of the annual calendar.
I'm late for the airport, but here are some very quick reactions:
1. The finishing on this watch is strikingly superior to the finishing on any other watch I have encountered at this price point.
2. The pinstripe ("teck") pattern on the dial is subtler in the metal than in most of the photos I've seen on the web (and subtler than you might infer from my photos here). Which is a good thing, too, because I wasn't sure I'd like it until I saw it.
3. This watch and any light source have an amazing, unpredictable, electric relationship. The dial looks black, gray, or blue depending on the light conditions.
4. The display back is a nice touch, though the finishing of the 8500 movement obviously isn't comparable to, say, the finishing on Lange or Patek movements.
5. The watch is eerily accurate so far, which comports with the experience I've seen reported elsewhere.
6. The 8500 movement comes with a bonus feature: as with the Rolex GMT, you can adjust the hour alone without stopping the movement.
7. Speaking of Rolex, this watch is (or at least should be) a dagger pointed at the heart of the DateJust. I used to own one of the new DJs until I sold it for lack of wrist time. This watch has the look and feel of a watch that should occupy a higher price point than a DJ.
OK, I'd better be off before I miss my plane. I'm looking forward to Art's review of the annual calendar.
I love the third photo . . .
. . . contrasting the vertical slats on the dial to the horizontal slats of the Venetian blinds - shoulda thought of that myself! Thanks for the comments, CF, and I'll be posting my thoughts this weekend . . . cordially, Art
a very positive review so far. very tempting
especially if it is spookily accurate and is high quality enough to put it above a datejust. i wonder how it will compare to Grand Seiko. so far just looking at the pics i've seen it compares favourably. i look forward to more detail later.
Graham
An apt comparison, Graham . . .
. . . and from my perspective at least, as high a compliment one can pay to Omega . . . cordially, Art
I have the 41.5mm version of the AT8500, (7.75" wrist), and consider it
to be iconic and a superb value. I find I wear it in preference to the HV. As far as movement finishing, that is meaningless in comparison to proper design for accuracy and longevity. The only Rolex that compares in elegance is the Milgauss, which I now wear about half the time.
How does this compare to...
How does this compare to the AT8500 at 38.5mm? And, overall, how does it compare with the AT2500 at 42mm (a biggee on my wrist) and the AT2500 at 39.2mm (which I'm considering buying one to see how well the co-axial runs and keeps time, and cost, for now). The 39.2mm sounds closer to what I'm used to seeing with Seikos and Rolexes (Submariner, Datejust). Thanks!
R. =:^D