A comparison of rep crystals and bezels of the SMP

[bosk]

Here is a brief comparison of Omega SMP crystals....All watches shown have sapphire crystals which are 30.5 mm in diameter. Thickness varies depending on which model u have.

Lets introduce the players:

In the mix are a correct HE case (electric blue with chief AR), closed factory SMP with incorrect HE, King black SMP, 007 special edition SMP (unknown source, small crown guards), and a gen Bond SMP.

Starting with th bottom right (closed factory SMP with incorrect HE):

Nicely shaped crystal. low distortion of dial from angle view.

King SMP Black:

U can't even see the dial at certain angles....not as bad as a corum bubble but not gen like at all. Different Bezel assembly than the two bonds. Case is about 1mm thicker than all the other reps. Bezel is easy to turn with nice clicks but very non-gen like. Decent crown guards.

07 special edition SMP (unknown source, small crown guards)

Has a decent crystal much like the closed factory SMP. Bezel construction is exactly like the closed factory SMP. Crap bracelet and case is shorter than the other reps. tiny crown guards.

correct HE case (electric blue with chief AR):

Crystal distortion is on par with the black SMP but the double AR helps a lot. Case has the largest crown guards and is the best out of the bunch. I plan on ARing one of the flatter bond crystals and placing it on this one.

Gen Bond SMP.

Notice the low distortion from the crystal from the side angle...almost the same as the other bond reps.

Form some reason, all non-blue SMP reps seem to have the curved distorted crystal. From the pics I've seen on the web, this is another inaccurate issue with respective SMP reps. Can any1 with a gen black or EB SMP confirm this?

BTW, all reps have gen hands and dials although the 007 SE BOND was relumed poorly my me.

Small addition: the the bezel construction of the SMP reps. There seems to be two types....one like the rollies with a spring/clip that causes the clicking and one with an attached protrusion that causes the clicking.

Here is the typical bezel construction (found in the correct He Case, closed factory case, and some other out there); note the hole in the case at 11 o'clock where the clip is inserted:

images of the clip and bottom of bezel; note the bezel teeth are deep and fewer than the one shown below.

Note an aftermarket bezel is shown (not yet glued) and I'm in the process of reluming the pearl (originally looked like a pimple).

Here is the bezel from King's black SMP. As mentioned before, there is a protrusion at the 8 o'clock marker.

Note the fine teeth on this version....turing the bezel is very easy and nice tiny clicks (but not gen like).

overall the black SMP is very bulky but it has quality construction

-bosk