The Seamaster Diver 300 M from Omega has been around for 25 years. Since 1993 the special diver watches have a large fan community. No wonder, as the series has long set standards in terms of aesthetics and reliability. This year’s anniversary was celebrated with a complete overhaul. The old design and the maritime profile were retained, but each model was upgraded with new innovative materials and some technical innovations. Every detail of the 42mm watch has been modified. The modern collection of today has successfully taken up the famous heritage and enriched it with Omega’s innovative ideas and best design.
New look and technical refinement
The new Omega Seamaster 300 M Diver Co-Axial Master Chronometer comes with a new ceramic bezel with diving scale from Ceragold™ or white enamel. The enamel provides a more robust white and better durability. The dials are now available in polished ceramic and in blue, black or with an extra elegant chrome PVD coating. In addition, the familiar wave motif has been picked up again and integrated as laser engraving, while the rhodium-plated indices come with Super-LumiNova coating. The shape of the skeleton pointer has also been slightly modified. For more symmetry, the date window has also been moved to 6 o’clock. One of the key features of the Diver 300 M has always been the helium outlet valve. The new models have these in conical shape with extra patented sophisticated technology that guarantees functionality under water. The back of the watch features a rim decorated with the wave motif and a sapphire crystal that provides a clear view of the METAS-certified Master Chronometer Calibre 8800. 14 models of the new Seamaster Diver 300 M are available in total: six in stainless steel (from 4,400 euros) and eight in stainless steel/gold mixtures (from 6,000 euros). Each watch comes with a blue or black rubber strap, or a traditional metal strap plus a new ergonomic design and patented stretch and pressure folding clasp with extra diver extension.
There is also a limited edition of 2,500, based on a design dating back to the beginnings of 1993. The homage is to the Titanium Tantalum Limited Edition. For this, tantalum was used for the base of the bezel and the middle links of the bracelet. The blue-grey tone of the metal provides a noble and unique contrast to the unalloyed titanium and the 18 K Sedna™ gold used for the rest of the timepiece. This incomparable model is available from 11,900 euros. The Master Chronometer calibre 8800 inside opens up new dimensions in terms of performance, precision and antimagnetic 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 metres. The helium outlet valve provides ideal control of 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 loyal companions
Omega became the great successor to Rolex in the mid-90s and from then on supplied Superspion James Bond with the best wristwatches. The Seamaster 300 M Diver was without question the ideal piece for the most famous secret agent in the world. Oscar-winning costume designer Lindy Hemming was responsible for casting the matching piece for Agent 007 in Golden Eye (1995) and was looking for a piece that would reliably stand by Bond as a spy, sailor, diver and gentleman.
The choice fell on the Seamaster with blue dial, an elegant maritime look matching the wearer. Two years later, the screen hero wears the chronometer version of the model in Tomorrow never dies (1997). The Seamaster Professional with automatic calibre saves his life in this episode with an integrated detonator.
In The world is not enough (1999) and Die another day (2002) Bond saves the world with an Omega Seamaster Professional on hand. In the 1999 movie he is once again in trouble: He is buried ten metres under an avalanche of snow. With the help of his Omega, in whose bezel there is a wire with a grappling hook, James can free himself and survive.
Three years later, the secret agent’s Seamaster has 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 ask for similar special “bond watches”.
In Casino Royale (2006), Pierce Brosnan’s successor Daniel Craig then wears two different wristwatches – both from Omega: a Seamaster Diver 300 M Co-Axial and a Planet Ocean 600 M Co-Axial adorn the actor’s wrist. The blue dial, the unidirectional rotating bezel, the screw-down crown and the helium outlet valve are the essentials that make the first timepiece a true Bond watch, as well as being water-resistant up to 300 meters.
The MI6 agent’s second watch also comes with the Omega caliber 2500 and coaxial escapement, but with a water resistance of up to 600 meters it has even more to offer – a watch for the most extreme conditions. Planet Ocean supports Bond in the first quarter of the film, before the Diver finally comes into focus. Omega premiered 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 buckle.
As of Quantum of Solace (2008), for the first time since 1995, Bond no longer wears a blue Omega Seamaster. Instead, the secret agent was then equipped with a Seamaster Planet Ocean, which at 42 millimetres in diameter is slightly smaller than its predecessor from Casino Royale with a diameter of 45.5 millimetres. The design of the model is strongly reminiscent of the Seamaster pieces of the 50s. A similar model was presented at the start of the film, which again features the 007 logo on the second hand and on the back of the case. In addition, the movie title is immortalized on the dial.
For the premiere a Seamaster Professional was launched, the Seamaster Diver 300 M James Bond 007 Collector’s Piece. The 41 millimetre watch features a black dial and 007 logo on the second hand. In 2012, Omega released a special Seamaster edition to mark the 50th anniversary of the James Bond film series. The limited Classic Seamaster Professional Co-Axial 300 M also has a diameter of 41 millimetres and houses the chronometer-certified automatic calibre 2507 with coaxial escapement.
In summer 2015, the hotly debated question about the next Bond companion was finally answered: Craig wears a Seamaster 300 Spectre Limited Edition in the new Spectre strip. The special version was only produced 7,007 times. Every single one has its unique serial number engraved together with the film logo on the case back.
Surprising: For the first time since Goldfinger (1964), Sean Connery as Agent 007 wears a watch with textile strap. The 41 millimetre wristwatch is completed by a striped NATO strap. However, it differs from the normal series model in a few details: there is a round illuminated dot on the tip of the central second hand. This special feature gave it the nickname “Lollipop hand”. The ceramic bezel, which can be rotated on both sides, shows an hour division, allowing a second time zone to be read. The brand logo and the hour digits are in silver. The watch contains the automatic manufacture 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 introduced: The Omega Seamaster Diver 300 M Commander’s Watch Limited Edition. True Bond fans know that James was Commander of the British Royal Navy before he became a double zero agent. The new Bond model is a tribute to this military rank and comes in the colours of the Royal Navy: red, white and blue. The white ceramic dial has a blue skeleton hour and minute hand and a red second hand with the 007 logo. The date disc is also equipped with a red sieve, the remaining digits appear in blue.
Even the one-sided rotating diving bezel made of rubber, ceramic and Omega’s own material liquid metal is designed in the Royal Navy shades. At the heart of the watch, which is also 41 millimetres in size, beats the Manufacture Calibre 2507 with three Commander stripes in yellow gold plus the 007 logo on the rotor. Thanks to the sapphire crystal back, the edge of which is engraved with “Commander’s Watch”, the masterful movement can be admired in every detail. However, the stainless steel timepiece cannot be seen in any film and is again limited to only 7,007 pieces. Seven pieces are also made in yellow gold. This watch of a special kind is available with red-grey-blue NATO strap or stainless steel bracelet.
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