The Seamaster — it’s all in the name, right? Over the years, the Seamaster Professional Diver 300M watch has been one of Omega’s most iconic timepieces. Loved for its design and technology, the original timepiece signaled Omega’s triumphant return to the world of diving watches and also ignited the brand’s long-standing partnership with the one and only Agent 007, James Bond. Twenty five years later, the brand has unveiled a complete facelift of this legendary watch, with 14 unique models, including six in stainless steel and eight in a mix of steel and 18k gold.
What’s new?
Sized at a larger 42 mm, each new Diver 300M has been given a Master Chronometer Calibre 8800, instantly taking the collection into a higher realm of precision, performance and magnetic resistance. Every detail of the outward design has also been rethought, including the iconic diving bezel, which is now made from ceramic with the diving scale in CeragoldTM or white enamel (for longer-lasting whiteness and durability).
With a luminescent dot at 12 o’clock, the dials are made from polished ceramic and are available in black, blue or sun-brushed PVD chrome colour. Most notably, Omega has re-introduced the wavy pattern (now laser-engraved) that was a popular feature of the original design.
All indexes have been raised and filled with Super-LumiNova and, to keep track of the days, the date window has been moved to 6 o’clock. Even the skeleton hands (rhodium-plated, 18k gold, or blued) have been subtly re-shaped, which fans of the model will surely notice.
The divers’ choice
You don’t have to be an actual diver to wear the 300M, but for those who do strap on the tanks, Omega’s new Seamaster is well and truly-equipped for life beneath the waves. For a diver, measuring time spent underwater is crucial (for obvious reasons). Professional divers know that helium molecules expand during decompression and can pop the crystal face and caseback; so, it’s important to set those molecules free.
When it comes to keeping the Diver firmly attached to the wrist, the metal bracelets feature Omega’s patented extendable foldover rack-and-pusher with a helpful diver extension, to make extra room for the thickness of a diving suit.
Magnetic forces in electronic devices used on land, on deck and even under the sea can throw a timepiece out of sync. What’s more, diving equipment often includes magnetic devices. That’s why each new Diver 300M has been given a Master Chronometer Calibre 8800, built
with non-ferrous materials that can resist the effects of magnetism. In fact, the movement and its watch have passed the eight stringent Master Chronometer tests set by METAS that include examinations under strong magnetic fields of 15,000 gauss
