Seamaster Diver 300
Seamaster - Steel, Ref: 210.30.42.20.01.001
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Disclaimer: This Blog is not sponsored or affiliated with any brands. It is my personal view using my watch and user experience!
Love it or not the Seamaster is hot!
Watches and lifestyle
We all have different, sometimes common, reasons to add pieces to our watch collection. A lifestyle decision, the aesthetic, the movement, love the look, it’s trendy, or it’s just a cool watch. The Omega Seamaster Diver 300 is something special and distinctive in so many ways. It had been on my mind, I researched it, read numerous articles, YouTube after YouTube. It was only a matter of time I guess. I became obsessed.
Back on lifestyle and the Seamaster. If the beach is calling or heading to a cafe, hiking, or if deep-sea diving is your thing, then the Seamaster is just one of those watches that will merge into many lifestyles.
I tried on the ‘Great White’ version back when I purchased my white Speedmaster. I ended up talking myself out of it. In the back of my mind, it looked too big. I walked out with the amazing Speedmaster 38.
As it goes, there was always this burning going on…. I wished had I bought it.
Never regrets with me, I love my white Speedy.
Take the dive!
There is so many reviews of the Seamaster. Most are very complimentary, a great watch, a lot of watch for the money, a great watch even if diving is not your thing. These days it would seem divers are worn by people who don’t dive.
Reviews all have opposing views. The power reserve isn’t long enough, the helium escape valve isn’t aesthetically pleasing, the bracelet does not taper, the bracelet, the bracelet, and more about the bracelet.
Do all or some of these factors play a part in a purchasing decision? That is the burning question. These factors did play a part in my decision to buy it. At a point, I was swaying towards not to buy it. The upshot is, I just love the watch. As it turns out, this has fast become my daily wear.
I am not one for Facebook Marketplace purchases. I find it all too intimidating. I typically scan the market and go.
When my Seamaster landed in my Facebook feed at a very reasonable price I thought, why not! So I thought I would negotiate a little to see if there was some flex in the price. Sure enough, yes, the seller agreed to my offer.
We met outside a Police Station. A lesson for anyone selling or buying something online. It is a safe bet the transaction will be sweet. The watch was so much better than the photos. I put it on my wrist. The micro-adjusting bracelet meant it fitted perfectly. The seller even made sure the serial number was cross-checked against the paperwork.
So off I drove with a showroom finish, all inclusions, preowned Seamaster.
The Elephant(s) in the room
1 - The Helium Escape Valve
It is a bone of contention. Could have Omega designed the valve differently - absolutely! I feel like it has become an Omega trademark. Did it bother me? At first, yes and not anymore.
Let’s face the fact. The Seamaster is a DIVERS watch first and foremost. Functionally it is exactly that - a divers watch. With the bracelet extension options, the awesome lume, the very legible dial, it is made to travel to the depths of the ocean.
Does it look out of place attached to the 50-min mark? It is all up to you and your opinion. My recommendation is to try it on. See if it bothers you. Truly it is like living next door to a train line or under a flight path. At first, you notice it, then you forget it’s there.
2 - The Bracelet
Another bone of contention. Again the same theme. Could have Omega designed it differently - absolutely! I am a firm believer that the bracelet was designed with a diver in mind. The bracelet is so strong and robust I am sure it would never come off 300m deep. Then again, I am only assuming this would be the case.
For me (and you need to wear it to experience it) it does make the watch heavy. I do like to feel the weight of the watch on my wrist. I have worn the watch in the ocean and in and the pool (no diving) and I have to say I like the fact I notice it on my wrist.
If you ask me would you buy with the bracelet? Absolutely yes! You can always find an awesome strap to wear with it.
The Decision
It is big, it has a wrist presence, and it is not to everyone’s taste. So why did I buy it?
Here is my decision process:
I can read the time - YES, this is important. I wear multi-focal glasses. In fact, I am not able to read without them. When I swim I like to know the time. It is the only watch in my collection which I can read without my glasses. Not perfectly, but I can see the time.
The wearability - YES it is big at 42mm and a lug to lug of 50mm. That sounds huge, doesn’t it! There is no doubt it is a big watch. Although when you wear it for a while the size doesn’t seem large. And when you change to a strap it looks smaller. My wrist size is 6.75in.
You be the judge - does it look too big?
The versatility - do you love changing your straps for a new look? The Seamaster is a #strapmonster. It looks great with a rubber strap and nato straps look amazing.
Under the sapphire glass - When I was deciding to pull the trigger there was a couple of unique features that I loved. The skeleton hands and the way the ‘wavey’ dial represents the ocean. After all, we Aussies love the ocean. Both features sang the X-factor for me.
The Black - well it was hard to find a preowned ’Great White’ and I love black dials. Either one I would have purchased. Maybe the ‘Great White’ will come my way down the track.
My everyday wear - as an everyday wear the Seamaster definitely hits my requirements. As I work from home most days of the week I am in casual wear. The work suits have been gathering dust in the wardrobe. Most days I start with a different watch from my collection on my wrist. Funny how the Seamaster seems to land back on my wrist by the afternoon.
S.W.O.T
A quick fire Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Treats analysis
Note this is my opinion that may not be shared with everyone :)
Strengths
Brand reputation
Legibility and the lume is phenomenal
Design and colour availability
Distribution and availability - no waitlists that I know of
Affordability, even with the Omega price rise, at $7,925 AUD I see it as value for money
Ceramic bezel/sapphire crystal
The bracelet extension and micro-adjustment
Master Chronometer Certified
Water Resistance @ 300m is more than most people will ever need
Anti-magnetic
5-year Warranty
Weaknesses
The power reserve @ 55 hrs
The bracelet could be tapered to project a slimmer fit
50mm Lug to Lug and 42mm case diameter does make it a very large watch
Value retention, if you buy new, expect to lose $1-2k to resell
The date sometimes does not change (well on mine it doesn’t). It has to be fully wound to move to the next day
Mine typically loses 5 to 10 second per day when not worn overnight
Opportunities
The next version should find a way to remove or find an alternative for the Helium Escape Valve
Taper the bracelet
A 40mm option keeping the design aesthetic
Increase the power reserve to at least 70 hours
Threats
Emerging and current competitors. There are so many awesome divers on the market. Buyers are not staved for choice. Omega should be keeping a close eye on Oris, Tudor, and other brands that have great divers at a lower price point.
Under the hood
Lug to lug: 20mm
Case diameter: 42mm
Lug to Lug: 50mm (my wrist is 6.75in)
Case Material: Steel
The case back: Exhibition sapphire crystal
Movement: OMEGA Master Chronometer Calibre 8800
Crystal: Scratch resistant sapphire crystal
Dial Colour: Black (with other colour variations available)
Water Resistance: 300m (30Bar)
METAS-Approved Chronometer Calibre
Date window at 6 o’clock
Anti-magnetic
Automatic
Unidirectional rotating bezel
The Wrap Up
This is a watch I am sure I will be wearing for years to come. In my opinion, it is great value for money. You may not end up rich from owning one, but you will be richer for wearing one…. if that makes sense.
Did I make the right decision to buy one? Absolutely! No regrets about this one, it is a joy to wear (and photograph).
To buy new or preowned? Again it is something you need to decide.
Will the design be timeless? It will be interesting to see how this one will age. I have bumped it a few times, cringed, looked at my wrist, and have been astounded that there isn’t any mark.
It is a great watch for the money. The question remains, is the Seamaster Diver the right watch for you.
Thanks for reading and supporting Behind the Lume and my Instagram @watch_girl_life
Peace and kindness ❤️
