Omega Seamaster 300 M Diver Co-Axial Master Chronometer

The Seamaster Diver 300M from Omega has been around for 25 years. Since 1993, these special diving watches have enjoyed a large fan base. It's no wonder, given that the series has long set standards in terms of aesthetics and reliability. This year's anniversary was celebrated with a complete overhaul. The original design and maritime profile were retained, but each model was enhanced with new, innovative materials and several technical innovations. Every detail of the now 42mm watch has been changed. Today's modern collection successfully embraces this famous legacy and enriches it with Omega's innovative ideas and best-in-class design.

New look and technical refinement

The new Omega Seastar 300M Diver Master Chronometer features a new ceramic bezel with a diving scale in Ceragold™ or white enamel. The enamel provides a more robust white and greater durability. The dials are now made of polished ceramic and are available in blue, black, or with an extra-stylish chrome-colored PVD coating. The familiar wave motif has been revived and integrated as a laser-engraved detail, while the rhodium-plated indices feature Super-LumiNova coating. The shape of the skeleton hand has also been slightly modified. For greater symmetry, the date window has also been relocated to 6 o'clock. One of the key features of the Diver 300M has always been the helium escape valve. The new models feature a conical shape with a specially patented, sophisticated technology that guarantees functionality underwater. The back of the watch features a wave-patterned bezel and sapphire crystal, which offers a clear view of the METAS-certified Master Chronometer Caliber 8800. There are 14 models of the new Seamaster Diver 300 M: six in stainless steel (starting at €4,400) and eight in stainless steel-gold combinations (starting at €6,000). Each watch comes with a blue or black rubber strap, or a traditional metal bracelet with a new ergonomic design and patented push-and-stretch clasp with an extra diver's extension.

There is also a limited edition of 2,500 pieces, based on a design from the early days in 1993. This homage is the Titanium Tantalum Limited Edition. Tantalum was used for the base of the bezel and the middle links of the bracelet. The blue-grey tone of the metal creates a sophisticated and unique contrast to the unalloyed titanium and 18K Sedna™ gold used for the rest of the timepiece. This incomparable model is available from 11,900 euros. The Master Chronometer Caliber 8800 inside opens up new dimensions in terms of performance, precision, and anti-magnetic resistance. The new Seamaster Diver 300 M has a power reserve of at least 55 hours and is suitable for depths of up to 300 meters. The helium escape valve ideally regulates the gas pressure in the watch. The scratch-resistant sapphire crystal also reliably protects the dial. Magnetic fields of up to 15,000 gauss cannot harm this masterpiece.

007 meets Omega: James Bond's faithful companions

Omega became the great successor to Rolex in the mid-1990s and from then on supplied superspy James Bond with the finest wristwatches. The Seamaster 300M Diver was undoubtedly the ideal piece for the world's most famous secret agent. Oscar-winning costume designer Lindy Hemming was responsible for casting the perfect piece of jewelry for Agent 007 in GoldenEye (1995) and was looking for a piece that would reliably support Bond as a spy, sailor, diver, and gentleman.

They chose the Seamaster with a blue dial, an elegant nautical look befitting the wearer. Two years later, the screen hero wore the chronometer version of the model in Tomorrow Never Dies (1997). The Seamaster Professional with automatic caliber saved his life in this episode with an integrated detonator.

In The World Is Not Enough (1999) and Die Another Day (2002), Bond also saves the world thanks to an Omega Seamaster Professional on his wrist. In the 1999 film, he's once again in trouble: he's buried a full ten meters under an avalanche of snow. With the help of his Omega, which has a wire with a grappling hook embedded in its bezel, James manages to free himself and survives.

In the sequel, set three years later, the secret agent's Seamaster features a remote detonator instead of the helium valve, which is activated by turning the bezel. A laser can also be activated via the crown. Fans love such technical gadgets and often request similar special "Bond watches."

In Casino Royale (2006), Pierce Brosnan's successor, Daniel Craig, wears two different watches – both from Omega: a Seamaster Diver 300 M Co-Axial and a Planet Ocean 600 M Co-Axial. The blue dial, unidirectional rotating bezel, screw-lock crown, and helium escape valve, along with water resistance up to 300 meters, are the essential features that make the former a true Bond watch.

The MI6 agent's second watch also features the Omega Caliber 2500 and a co-axial escapement, but with water resistance up to 600 meters, it offers even more – a watch for the most extreme conditions. The Planet Ocean supports Bond in the first quarter of the film, before the Diver finally takes center stage. For the premiere, Omega released both watches as limited editions with extra Bond features, such as the 007 logo at the end of the second hand, on the case back, and on the clasp.

Starting with Quantum of Solace (2008), Bond no longer wears a blue Omega Seamaster for the first time since 1995. Instead, the secret agent was equipped with a Seamaster Planet Ocean, which, at 42 millimeters in diameter, is slightly smaller than its predecessor in Casino Royale, which had a diameter of 45.5 millimeters. The design of the model is strongly reminiscent of the Seamaster pieces of the 1950s. A similar model was introduced for the film's release, again featuring the 007 logo on the second hand and on the case back. The film title is also immortalized on the dial.

However, a Seamaster Professional was also launched for the premiere: the Seamaster Diver 300 M James Bond 007 Collector's Piece. The 41-millimeter watch features a black dial and a 007 logo on the second hand. In 2012, Omega released a special edition Seamaster to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the James Bond film series. The limited-edition Classic Seamaster Professional Co-Axial 300 M also has a diameter of 41 millimeters and houses the chronometer-certified automatic caliber 2507 with a co-axial escapement.

In the summer of 2015, the hotly debated question about the next Bond companion was finally resolved: Craig wears a Seamaster 300 Spectre Limited Edition in the new film Spectre. Only 7,007 of this special version were produced. Each individual piece has its unique serial number engraved on the caseback, along with the film logo.

Surprising: For the first time since Goldfinger (1964) with Sean Connery, Agent 007 wears a watch with a textile strap. The 41-millimeter wristwatch is complemented by a striped NATO strap. However, it differs from the standard production model in a few details: On the tip of the central second hand is a round luminous dot. This special feature has earned it the nickname "lollipop hand." The bidirectional rotating ceramic bezel features an hour marker, allowing a second time zone to be read. The brand logo and hour numerals are silver. The watch contains the automatic in-house caliber Master Co-Axial Caliber 8400, which is immune to magnetic fields of up to 15,000 gauss.

In July 2017, the new wristwatch for Agent 007 was finally unveiled: the Omega Seamaster Diver 300M Commander's Watch Limited Edition. True Bond fans know that before becoming a double-zero agent, James was a commander in the British Royal Navy. The new Bond model pays homage to this military rank and comes in the Royal Navy's colors: red, white, and blue. The white ceramic dial features blue skeleton hour and minute hands, as well as a red second hand with the 007 logo. The date disc also features a red seven, and the remaining numerals appear blue.

Even the unidirectional rotating dive time bezel, made of rubber, ceramic, and Omega's proprietary Liquidmetal material, is designed in the Royal Navy tones. At the heart of the 41-millimeter watch beats the in-house caliber 2507 with three Commander stripes in yellow gold and the 007 logo on the rotor. Thanks to the sapphire crystal case back, whose edge is engraved with "Commander's Watch," the masterful movement can be admired in detail. However, the stainless steel timepiece does not appear in any film and is once again limited to just 7,007 pieces. Seven pieces will also be crafted in yellow gold. This unique watch is available with a red, gray, and blue NATO strap or a stainless steel bracelet.