I had the opportunity to pick up a few Omega Seamaster Pro rubber straps for my 2254.50 (and for the 2538.20 great white) as an alternative to the excellent Speedy ss bracelet that comes on these.

I'm really happy with the way these wear on the Seamasters, and IMO gives a very different (but great) look and feel versus the ss bracelet.  The straps are very high in quality and detail, and due to the very tight tolerancing of these (including some kind of impregnated, high durometer bumper between the springbar hole and where the curved strap end interfaces to the watch case), was quite possibly the most difficult strap change I have ever encountered .  In the end, I even had to install a very carefully and slightly bent spring bar to get the spring bar to engage the holes on both sides...doh!!!...don't know if any others have encountered similar.

For clarification (since there seems to be alot of confusion out there because Omega also makes a 20mm lug width strap for the Planet Ocean with different spring bar hole to case depth), this is Omega part number OME-98000085 and has "Seamaster" inscribed on the inner part of the strap.  My understanding is that the one for the Planet Ocean actually has "Planet Ocean" inscribed on the inside of the strap.

Anyway...very happy with the end result and the strap fits the case like an absolute GLOVE (with some difficulty on the install IMO)!  I can definitely recommend this strap as a nice complement to the Seamaster Pros, although I have to admit I would never want to pay the $200+ that Omega charges for these (and didn't in my case).

Some pics...
 

Hey William (and Mark and Brice)...I'm sorry to hear you guys are having so much difficulty...I had a heck of a time too (and honestly felt like a total retard...suspecting this was not the right strap) until I installed slightly bent springbars.

I truly hope I didn't lead you guys astray, but my strap is stamped with the following Omega OEM part #OME-9800085 on the inside-end of the strap (also highlighted in RED above from my original post).  If this is not OEM someone is sure spending a lot of money producing a fake (I'll admit I've had my doubts too given the price!!!).

William - this is the same part # that the Omega forum members have referenced to you.  I have read that many have had issues installing the OEM rubber and others have gone to their omega dealer to have them do it.  I know of at least one person who stated the omega dealer slightly bent the springbars to get their OEM rubber to fit. (????) 

Does yours have that part # stamped on the inside-end of the strap?

But I agree 100% with what you guys are saying...It simply should not be this hard to get the strap on!!!

My apologies hammer.gif

Last edited on Wed Sep 22nd, 2010 02:25 pm by stew77