Watch Review: Omega Seamaster 300
When you hold this watch, you are holding a piece of history… The Omega Seamaster 300 Master Co Axial 41mm watch is Omega’s modern outtake on their original Seamaster 300 which was launched in 1957, complete with an upgraded movement and materials, all while retaining its original look. There are several variants of this watch, which include a titanium version with a blue bezel and other models made of gold, but today I will be reviewing the black Seamaster 300 made of 314L steel.
During the summer of 2019, I looked at this watch when I went to visit the Goldsmith’s store in Westgate in Oxford, which also has one of the largest Rolex boutiques in that part of the UK. This store is also one of nine Goldsmiths stores in the UK that sells IWC. You can see my review for Westgate here: https://thebrownminimalist.com/westgate-oxford/
That said, let’s look at the Seamaster 300 in more detail now.
The Seamaster 300’s Design
The ceramic bezel is an upgrade from the original Seamaster 300’s aluminium bezel, which gives the watch that more modern feel. For the numbers on the bezel, Omega’s patented Liquidmetal has been used, also protecting the watch from scratches. These features mean your watch will still be good as new in 10 years, when looked after correctly.
The Master Co- Axial Calibre 8400 Movement
The watch also has a transparent case- back, which I feel adds to the watch’s modern look. It allows you to see Omega’s in- house Master Co- Axial Calibre 8400 movement, which is anti- magnetic and has chronometer. This allows you to appreciate the movement and see the craftsmanship and effort that goes into it.
However, straight away you notice that this watch has no date feature, which did put me off to some extent. It also has a large price tag, with an RRP is £4960 compared to the black Omega Planet Ocean 600m which has a lower price tag and comes with a date feature and double the water resistance. Unfortunately, I don’t have any photos with the Planet Ocean.
Comparison with Omega Seamaster 300m
But I did get the opportunity to compare it with the black Seamaster 300m (2012 model). When making this comparison, we see they have the same water resistance of 300m/ 1000ft. But we must also note several differences. Firstly, their appearances are very different. The watch’s choices of bracelet and case- backs are obvious differences. We see that the ceramic bezel of the 300 is smaller than the 300m’s. The sandblasted dial of the 300 has a more vintage look, because of the design and numbers, compared to the 300m’s matt black finish. Secondly, the Seamaster 300 has a power reserve of 60 hours, compared with the 300m’s reserve of 48 hours. The final big difference is the fact that the 300 has no date feature.
To find out more about the Omega Seamaster 300m, visit: https://www.omegawatches.com/en-gb/watches/seamaster/diver-300-m/product
Verdict
Overall, this watch’s simplistic design and choice of materials makes this watch a masterpiece and a versatile choice for someone looking for a watch that goes with most outfits. If you want to own a modern take on part of Omega’s history, then this is the watch for you. However, if you want a diving watch for a cheaper price with a date feature, then I’d opt for Omega’s Seamaster 300m or Planet Ocean lines.
To find out more about the Seamaster 300m:
To find out more details about the Goldsmiths store in Oxford: