Hands-on + Video: Omega Seamaster Diver 300M in green

Text/Photo: Aleksandar Mladenovic

The Omega Seamaster Professional Diver 300M has played a central role in Omega's model range for soon 30 years. Earlier this year this version in green was launched which has quickly become a big hit among people. We at Eqotime have taken a closer look at the watch.

The basics

The Omega Seamaster made its debut in 1948 and has since then been developed and manufactured in a range of different versions with different functions. One of the most classic and iconic versions of the Seamaster is this Seamaster Diver Professional 300M which was introduced in 1993. Since then it has among other things had time to sit on James Bond's wrist and been one of the most popular diver's watches within the watch world.

In 2018 the SMP 300M was updated to its current look and with it the well finished movement caliber 8800. A big update was among other things the new dials made in ceramic (zirconium dioxide) with the classic wave pattern engraved with laser.

The watch we have had in hand and on the arm is made in stainless steel which combines brushed surfaces with polished surfaces along the curved lugs. The diameter is 42mm and the length of the case is 50mm and it is 13,5mm thick. Between the lugs the watch measures 20mm.

The case is equipped with crown guards at 3 o'clock and a helium valve at 10 o'clock. The helium valve's to be or not to be is a hotly debated question in collector circles and among enthusiasts, we on the editorial team say neither boo nor baa and feel that since it has been a part of the watch for soon 30 years it is nothing we are bothered by.

On both the front and back we have sapphire crystal which is anti-reflective treated and it is thus possible to behold their pleasant movement calibre 8800 (more on this further down) through the open back.

It is possible to get the Omega both on their watershed of a bracelet or on the very pleasant rubber bracelet (with or without a folding clasp).

The bezel has chamfers so that it should be more grippy but we think that it is a fairly "slippery" bezel overall which is fairly hard to manoeuvre in our opinion. The insert is in matching green ceramic with engraved markings in white grand feuenamel. The triangle in the insert has a dot that is filled with SuperLuminova.

Something we on the editorial team are in touching agreement about is how gorgeous the dial is. The clear trend when it comes to colour on dials in recent years is the colour green and we think that Omega really managed to find a fantastic shade of green with this watch.

Thanks to the dial being made in ceramic and having the classic wave pattern engraved, it really comes to life and in different light conditions it goes from almost black to a very warm and pleasant tone in direct sunlight. We also like that they chose to have all the text on the dial in white, which makes everything blend in nicely and nothing stands out too much. For example the versions with black and blue dials have the text Seamaster in red.

The hands are, like the bracelet, something of a watershed. They have been given a small update compared to the "original" from 1993 and are still skeletonised with luminous material on the top and along the long sides. Parts of the editorial team like them while others think that they feel very unmodern and are something that should have stayed behind in the 90s. As said, a watershed.

The legibility of the watch is good and in the dark the hour hand and indices glow in blue colour while the minute hand and the triangle in green.

The updated movement is one of the most impressive aspects of the watch. Besides being chronometer certified by COSC it is also Master Chronometer certified by METAS (which is a requirement for all watches that are to be certified as Master Chronometer). What this certification means is that the watch and the movement have undergone a range of different tests (8 to be exact) in addition to those required for the chronometer certification.

Among other things the rate deviation for a Master Chronometer certification is set at 0 to +6s per day (compared with -4/+6s per day for COSC). The watch also undergoes tests against magnetism where it must withstand 15,000 gauss (which can be compared with Rolex's model Milgauss which withstands 1,000 gauss) as well as tests against shocks.

It is possible to read about all the different tests in detail on Omega's website and also to take part of the test results for your own watch by entering the serial number.

The movement is not just robust and hard tested, it is also beautiful to look at through the caseback. What catches the attention immediately is their beautiful "Geneva waves". The power reserve amounts to 55h and the movement ticks with a frequency of 25,200bph.

On the wrist

The watch wears on the wrist in accordance with its diameter of 42mm, it is no small watch but it does not feel much too big on a smaller wrist either. It is neither thick nor thin and feels well balanced in its proportions and has a clear presence on the wrist.

The strap we on the editorial team are very impressive of, it both sits comfortably and feels very high in quality. The watch we are reviewing came with a simple pin buckle in brushed steel with Omega's logotype but as mentioned it is also possible to put a folding clasp on the strap.

Summarising thoughts

It is a robust diver's watch in true Omega spirit. Well built, nicely finished and with a very impressive movement. Of course there are some design elements from the past that are something of a watershed but on the whole it is a really good watch.

For more information about the watch, visit Omega's website

Technical specifications

Brand: Omega
Model: Seamaster Profesional Diver 300M Co-Axial Master Chronometer
Reference number: 210.32.42.20.10.001 (on rubber) and 210.30.42.20.10.001 (bracelet)

Diameter: 42mm
Thickness: 13,5mm
Case material: Stainless steel 316L

Dial: Dark green in ceramic
Water resistance: 300M
Bracelet: Rubber bracelet or bracelet in steel

Movement: In-house calibre 8800 Master Chronometer certified by METAS
Complications: Date
Power reserve: 55h
Winding: Automatic

Price: 57,600kr on rubber bracelet or 61,300kr on bracelet