Which Omega for a man in their 20s?

I think any guy, regardless of age or financial status, would be over the moon to be able to say they have an OMEGA. the AT's are gorgeous watches and are what I consider to be at the fine line between "playful", because of their brighter color options and "classy", due to them retaining a very refined and masterful appearance. I think your boys would be more than delighted to have those watches.

Seamaster 300

Tough, good looking & understated so won't attract unwanted attention.

Tho tbh I wear my Aqua Terra quartz more.

Any chance it would be possible to take them out with you to an AD and make a special day of them picking out something for themselves (with a specified budget, of course)? A nice breakfast/lunch/brunch and a shopping day with your boys. Certainly understand if that’s not possible or if you’re intent on surprising them. I just know from my own experience that my parents’ guesses at what I like stopped being accurate well before my 20s.

I just got an AT, and I indeed love it, but I’m 55, so what do I know except outdated slang?

Cowabunga!!

Why don't you get your sons one of the Aqua Terras on the rubber strap instead? That dresses it down for every day use very nicely. Alternatively get them one on the bracelet & they can pick up rubber straps that are excellent quality off Etsy for around $50.

The Aqua Terra below has a $50 strap on it & it's indistinguishable in quality from the stock rubber strap I got with the watch.

Aquaterra obviously

Surprising them is definitely supposed to be part of it, but maybe getting the “right” watch is better than a surprise.

If you plan on buying Omega from the AD, I have a friend in a boutique in London who will offer a good discount!

I just looked at these, and I really do like them, although they are a little more money, I think.

Speedy hasn’t gone out of style in 40+ yrs and will still look good in years to come. Although not sure the watch for a 20yr old. (How ever my non watch friends have similar looking chronographs from non known brands).

Personally I think the ATs (with the teak style dials) look very dated very quickly, especially when a new variation released. The plain colour dials (shades I think) could be a good shout, similar to the OPs from Rolex, but the cases are fully polished.

The SMPs (last generation - deep ink style) would be a good shout, could get one in blue & black. Or the current SMPs, white & green would be my shout. Blue looks too blue, and black IMHO a bit boring.

Good luck and lucky kids in what ever you choose.

I would personally go with the AT, I went with the diver 300 in my early 20s and while I still love the watch and wear it till this day I think the bracelet is too outdated. The AT on the other hand is a great choice for dressing up or down, perfect for a one watch collection IMO.

Doing my best to put myself back into my stupid 20 year old self, I think I’d prefer the 300. My reasons:

• Feels more of an Adventure watch - I’d wear it everywhere, on hikes, beach days, etc. Think you hit the nail on the head with increased sportiness.

• As a non-watch person in my 20s (but one who loved watches), I see the 300 as a fun conversation piece with non-watch friends. First, for its loose connection to James Bond/Daniel Craig. Second, for the quirky HEV… today I like the 300 in spite of the HEV, but amongst friends in my 20s it’s a very easy thing to point to and explain a cool function that an Apple Watch doesn’t have.

• Works with every strap under the sun. The AT can accomplish this too I bet, but again beach day nato on the 300 makes so much more sense.

The AT is a great watch too and I am positive you can’t go wrong with either option! You have some lucky sons! 🍻

Planet Ocean on bracelet. My neighbor rocks one and it looks great on a younger guy. Sadly, my neighbor isn't a geek and when I asked him about his PO he told me it was a college graduation gift from his grandfather.

This is a watch a young person can daily wear and the watch can take it. A speedy for each would not be tragic either, but I think the PO is the way to go.

In my 20s, definitely a Uranus

Yeah……but no. No plastic.

Firstly, I would reconsider if 20 year old really needs Omega, could do just fine with something less luxurius like Longines. And if still yes let them choose with budget limit and you can do it together. First class experience and memory, at AD trying watches from multiple brands, you advising and them making the choice. Finish off with nice family dinner and call it a day. I would cherish that experience with my father much more than just a watch gift as such

20 year old me (well 25) bought a 1968 Chronostop and an f300Hz diver, so I’m no help here.

@strange The omega speedmaster racing 40mm ref. 326.30.40.50.01.001. I’ve had it for a little over two weeks now and I’m LOVING IT. I have it in the black dial but I figure since you are getting it for your sons, one could have the black dial and the other the reverse panda “see the link I provided.” It’s an automatic speedmaster so they won’t have to remember to always wind it like the pro. You can dress it up or down, and it has a date function. I think they would love it. Best part, you’ll be getting two watches for about the price of a Rolex OP.

https://www.jomashop.com/omega-watch-om32630405001002.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=PMax%3A%20%28ROI%29%20Smart%20Shopping%20-%20Watches%20-%20Omegautm_id=18329645442&utm_content=&utm_term=&gad_source=1

I would go with the planet ocean or the speedmaster. Just more iconic and timeless imo.

AT all day long. I think it should be perfect for a young professional, or two.

Contraversial opinion here.. if you’ve had your heart/mind set on a Rolex get the Rolex, if you get the Omega, psychologically you’ll always have a tiny part of you that might feel that you bought the second choice.

Personally I’d go aftermarket and try to find your boys preowned Rolex’s - either OP/Explorer I. I’ve seen these sell for £4.5-5.5k (I’m based in the uk). Caveat here is these are watches from 2008-2018.

I’ve seen some of these in very good condition some like new.

In the eventuality your AD gives you the call for the OPs - you could sell these Rolex’s and get most of your money back if you sell them to buy the ‘new’ ones.

Aquaterra is a pretty capable daily watch. It has 150m water resistance so it is even swimmable. Put it on rubber to make it sporty.

It also has jump hour hand and sadly no quickset date but if these will be your kids' only watches and it wont be resting for weeks at a time, they wont have to worry about quick set dates. Functional travel watch. 🤗

The AT is the answer to alot of watch questions not the most exciting but is an absolute classic that won't date like some vintage inspired reworks

Imo AT is the safer choice.

Seamaster 300 obviously but it also depends on the personality of your sons off course. A casual discussion with both could reveal the taste, with out giving away that you actually are planning to get them a gift 🎁

AT for sure, a lot of configurations to suit any one I would have thought.

Omega fanboy here. I’ve made all the mistakes, so here are my two cents.

I suggest the SMP300 in their favorite color on an OEM stainless mesh strap in the proper length (S, M, or L). I have 2 - the Summer Blue and NTTD. To explain, the SMP300 is bulletproof, suits the active lifestyles of young men, and is a great value. The OEM bracelet is 90’s (ugly), doesn’t taper, and has a massive clasp. Skip the stock bracelet and buy them on rubber, then spec them with the mesh so they’ll have both options. As it’s their first nice watch it should be versatile and show the movement, so opt for neutral colors with an open caseback (black, blue, white, or seaweed). The summer blue and NTTD are awesome and my personal preference, but probably too far out there for their first serious watch.

As a side note, these watches look great on bracelet, rubber, nato, or just about anything. If it’s good enough for Diana to give to Prince William, then it should work for your sons!

This has probably been asked already, but have you consulted your sons to find out what they would wear? I would hate to lay out that sort of cash only for the watches to end up in a drawer never to be seen again.

Honestly the Seamaster Diver 300m in black is amazing for me. It’s subtle and beautiful. I get the HE valve thing but honestly there’s so much else going on with it, it fades into the background. It feels luxury without being too flashy. The AD I went to was a good experience and I have worn it everyday since. Good luck on the choice, I know it can be tough!

Just in case anyone is still interested…I took the advice and found an opportunity to take my son to the AD “just to show him”. Did a comparison between SMP300, SM 300 Heritage and AT. Absolutely no contest: SMP300 by a mile. Probably in green. HEV, jangly bracelet and all. Ah well, you can take a horse to water :) . Main thing is to say thanks for all the help here. So, so useful. What a great community.

For whatever reason, and I have tried others, the bracelet feels the best when wearing the watch. I get the knocks on it, but that micro extension is awesome and the 90s dated sort of look is great because I’m a 90s kids!