I'd do with the Omega Seamaster because the wave dial and quartz model will no longer be made. The new model is a in house movement which costs a lot more and it doesn't have the wave dial which is classic and timeless in my opinion. You can always save for an auto down the road but when the wave quartz Omega's are gone that's it!

 

I will take option C, a crackin used seamaster for 1500, just saw a nice great white gmt for sale for 1600 or so on another site. With a quartz seamaster I would always feel like something was off. And for the money I wouldn't buy that Tag although aesthetically I like it, I don't think they are worth the $$ they ask for them new. Used under 1k I'd think about the Tag.

 

I wouldn't be too quick to rule out a used Omega auto....buy from the forum sales thread and you can pick one up in excellent condition (WIS owned) for a good price...all the depreciation taken out.

If going by your criteria, definitely the Omega quartz.....being discontinued and no more wave dial...I have the coaxial auto and it's a thing of beauty.

I have two tags and the issue is depeciation and IMO just a step down in quality, build and finish

 

I'm going to be in the minority here, but I'll recommend (and bought the previous version of) the Aquaracer even though I recognize it's more than a little derivative and almost sold it a few times for that reason. Eventually I accepted that the lack of innovation and heritage was not as important to me as acquiring a well-made dive watch that in the end was also my favorite looking. This choice will probably remain the correct one for me until Rolex starts selling stainless steel, no-date, darker blue Submariners for less than $3000. Fortunately the Aquaracer is a more-than-good enough watch to last me at least until hell freezes over.

As for the Seamaster, I was jazzed about possibly making it my first "good" watch shortly after I joined WUS, but surprisingly it became my first "disappointing" watch when I saw it in person. I found the combination of design features (wave pattern, skeleton hands, helium escape valve, polished surfaces...) overwhelming to the point of being distracting. That's just me though and I'm wearing these shoes right now so what do I know:

I guess the point is, you've picked out two fine watches, but if you haven't already done so try them on before you buy so you're sure about what you want. There's no way I'd have thought I'd choose this particular Tag Heuer over a Seamaster, but that's what happened. If it's something important to you there are plenty of posts on WUS that talk about the merits of each watch. A little research might help you make more foolproof decision...even if that means you eventually windup buying an MKll Sea Fighter, Orient Saturation or an Oris TT1 as well!

To address your specific concerns more directly:

1) Aesthetics: The Tag Heuer Aquaracer is a clean, classically styled dive watch...which means it looks an awful lot like a Submariner. How much this bothers you is for you to decide. The Omega certainly incorperates a bit of Submariner styling as well (as do many, many other dive watches), but takes that style in a much fresher direction. I don't like the results too much, most other people do

2) Durability: While they're both well-made watches, quartz is always going to beat the pants off mechanicals in terms of accuracy, durability, and - importantly - cost of repairs or routine maintenance (to the tune of hundreds of dollars). The whole quartz vs. mechanical argument has been discussed many times on WUS. Searches on the topic will yield a fair number of results

3) Depreciation: Not a factor. Both watches are going to lose a substantial amount of their value the minute you begin to wear them. I imagine the Tag will lose a bit more, but not so much that I'd make this much of a factor. In fact it's so insignificant that I'd definitely throw the quartz Aquaracer into the mix if you like it enough. It's the best way to save yourself the most money while still getting a watch you like

 

^^^ ljb187 - Isn't the new version of the Seamaster made sans the wavy pattern? I saw a black version that looked quite well made, compared to its predecessors.

 

There is, but Omega's site only shows updated versions of the Chronometer. I'd betcha that when or if (I thought I saw Omega's dropping quartz) this change comes to the quartz models they'll be safely out of elrae's original price range. Oris seems to have dropped the wave pattern as well.

Side note: I assume you look like the guy in your avatar. I also assume I should know who that is, but don't. I want to say Boz Scaggs but don't actually know what he looks like either. I wonder if people, so much as they're inclined to give it much thought, think I look like Ben Franklin.

 

Tough choice. While the first thing coming to my mind would be the SMP, I'm not a fan of skeleton hands. On the other hand, this Tag is one of the few models that I actually like (the 500m does not do it for me unfortunately, but that's another story).

Depreciation doesn't mean a thing in this case. Quartz depreciates more than mech , and likewise Tag depreciates more than Omega. In the end, they should both even out.

The SMP should be more durable than the Aquaracer due to the quartz movement, but the Aquaracer's mech movement is pretty durable in its own right too.

In the end it depends on which criteria is more important to you: looks or durability. If it's looks, then pick the one you like the most; if durability, then pick the SMP.

As for me, I would (gasp!) pick the Tag since I already have a SMP (2254) and if I want another diver, then it must have sword hands or at the least non-skeleton hands. (Guess I'm a sword hands fanatic.)

 

Not a tough choice for me at all. I've had my 212.30.41.61.01.001 for about 2 months now and I wouldn't trade it for any other. Every time I look at it I'm thrilled.

 

Get whichever you like best (scientific answer). But before you decide take a look at this:

 

Dr Pepper,
Normally I'd agree on the depreciation front...but as Omega will no longer have a quartz ( or wavy dial) the law of supply and demand may well dictate that if the op changes his mind and wants to flip in a couple of years there may well be a lot of omega fans willing to stump up for a discontinued, wavy dial quartz.....you only have to look at some discussions on here bemoaning the demise of both

 

i will take the Seamaster.

 

I think you have to ask yourself whether you want a mechanical or quartz. Have you ever owned a mechanical? It will bring you a different watch owning experience than a quartz. If you dont want to deal with the fussiness of a mechanical though and just want a reliable good looking watch, the Omega is defintitely the way to go. I own the SMP Quartz and the older Aquaracer 300m in blue, and if I could only own one watch of the two, I would pick the Omega. Oh and I think the SMP will hold its value over the Aquaracer.

 

Given your criteria, clearly the Omega Quartz. I can't speak for aesthetics and say which one you should like more, but it is clear that the Omega is the more original design. Whether it is a good design is a different question. But at least they tried to come up with something new and that's already worth something in my book. The Omega is most likely also flatter. That usually means it will wear a bit better and be a bit more elegant. The bracelet is definitely more elegant and definitely more elaborate than the Tag bracelet.

Lume and crystal should be equal. Case finishing is nicer with the Omega.

Durability goes to quartz by a nautical mile. Accuracy, too. Ease of maintenance and cost of maintenance go to quartz by two nautical miles and once around the boat. This alone will off-set any depreciation. That said, depreciation will be more with the TAG, if you ask me, because Omega is raising prices very quickly these days and that has an effect on used prices as well. Moreover, as others have said, this model will be discontinued. So there is a very slight chance it might be sought after.

What we can't really answer, either, is the question of mechanical vs. quartz, but there are thousands of thread on it here.

And since nobody else has said it; Welcome to WUS!

 

The Omega is prettier, a lot more details and intricacy in dial, bracelet, etc. But IMHO is kind of a chimera, the big deal, fuss or interesting thing about this really expensive watches lies in their "automatic soul", their cogs and wheels and sweeping second hands. IMHO if you remove all of this then you might as well go the "pedestrian" route and get yourself a nice Victorinox or Hamilton quartz watch.
If i was in your shoes id probably look for either a used automatic Omega Seamaster or i would get the quartz Tag AR500 which has a lot of nice details and goes for less than both your previous options:

waj1111.ba0871 Tag Heuer Aquaracer Quartz 500M Mens Watch

 

SMP Quartz hands down. I have owned many SMP's both auto and quartz and decided that this was one of the few watches that I prefer the quartz model. Knowing it was a keeper I went and bought a 2221.80 new from my AD, and don't regret it at all.

 

I like both of those models. The quartz movement in the Seamaster is sort of "funky" though - no quickset date (if I recall correctly); instead, when the crown is pulled out to the "first position", it adjusts the hour hand without hacking. I didn't really like that.

If your buying new, I'm sure you could get a very significant discount on the Tag thus depreciation may not be that big of a factor/differentiating feature between the two.

Still, I'd probably also choose the Omega.

 

I have to go with my allegiances and vote for the Aquaracer. I bought one because it's such a simple, lightweight, attractive diver. Two things that kept me away from the Seamaster are the (unnecessary) helium valve and the heavy-looking bracelet.

 

Although I prefer the look of the Omega, I voted for the TAG simply because it is an automatic. Personally, I'm not a big fan of quartz watches for everyday use unless you need one for an extreme sports activity. Comparing an auto to a quartz to me is like comparing apples to hand grenades. No offense to quartz owners, but they're not even in the same league.

 

Imo no contest here: Omega. Aesthetically more pleasing, lower maintenance quartz movement, no servicing. Not a big fan of the 300m AR; don't think it's worth the asking price. Like the others, I usually would go for the auto over the quartz, but this case is the exception...