In March 2021, Omega launched three Master Chronometer-certified Seamaster 300s, of which the blue-dialed steel model 234.30.41.21.03.001 is my favorite.
Introduced in 1957 along with the Railmaster and Speedmaster as part of a trilogy of “professional” watches for air, land and sea, the original Seamaster 300 was Omega’s first true diver’s watch. The Seamaster 300 has been a huge success among watch enthusiasts and scuba diving enthusiasts since its inception, and has been launched in multiple versions.
In fact, at the 2014 Basel Watch Fair, Omega launched the very beautiful Seamaster 300 Master Co-Axial. Particularly faithful to the 1957 model, but still modern, it features a beautiful 41mm steel case with a ceramic unidirectional rotating bezel and a matte black dial, powered by the Omega-manufactured 8400 calibre – a COSC-certified chronometer movement resistant to magnetic fields up to 15,000 gauss and with a 60-hour power reserve.
The irresistible edition followed: the Seamaster 300 Spectre, a limited edition of 7,007 copies, produced on the occasion of a new James Bond adventure. It differs from its 2014 predecessor by its bidirectional bezel graduated from 0 to 11 (allowing the display of additional time zones) and lollipop-shaped seconds hand – fitting for the lollipop-shaped hands of the Seamaster collection that, in the late 1950s, finally ditched the steel bracelet in favour of an Omega grey NATO strap.
March 2021: Omega launches three new Master Chronometer-certified Seamaster 300 watches, of which the stainless steel version with blue dial and bezel is the most popular. Because it is unusual, this is the first time Omega has launched a steel Seamaster 300 with a blue dial; it was previously only available in very expensive platinum or very gray titanium. It is also more affordable, priced at only 52,000 yuan.
The new Seamaster 300 has a case diameter of 41 mm, and its beautifully beveled case perfectly combines multiple surface treatments: mirror polishing (the upper part of the lugs) and satin treatment (the curved middle part), and beautiful polished chamfers form the connection between the case. The comfort of daily wear is impeccable due to its balanced design and the case back diameter is smaller than the case diameter and fits the wrist perfectly. The new Seamaster 300 is significantly thinner at 13.85 mm. This is partly due to the flatter bezel, now in aluminum, just like the vintage original.
The lug width is 21mm, and the bracelet tapers to 16mm at the clasp. Omega has also made some adjustments to the steel bracelet design. Instead of polished center links, they are brushed – with polished outer links.
The most beautiful part of this new Omega Seamaster 300 Master Chronometer is still the front. In 2021, Omega has adopted a sandwich construction – this is to apply luminous material to the base and then superimpose the dial on it, which was previously engraved with hour markers and numbers. The dial presents a matte and slightly grainy intense but still bright blue, and the vintage tone design is therefore beige Super-LumiNova luminous material, which is reminiscent of the tritium-containing luminous material of old watches. Omega uses the same lollipop-style second hand and the broad arrow-style hour hand that can be found on the Spectre. The new Seamaster 300 has super legibility both day and night (green luminescence on the bezel pearl and minute hand, blue luminescence on the rest). And something very rare: almost all superfluous elements on the dial have been eliminated. Gone is the “Master Co-Axial Chronometer”, and the text on the dial is reduced to just the Omega logo and “Seamaster 300” in italics!
On the back of this new Seamaster 300, you can also admire the Co-Axial Master Chronometer 8912 movement. Partly composed of non-magnetic components, making it resistant to magnetic fields that your body itself can hardly withstand (up to 15,000 gauss), the 8912 movement offers one of the strongest precisions on the market, with a daily error of up to -0 / + 5 seconds.
To verify its water resistance (300 meters), power reserve (60 hours) or resistance to magnetic fields, this Omega passed on to METAS, an organization completely independent of the brand and the Group. It belongs to a series of rigorous tests carried out on the finished watch. At the end of these tests, the Omega Seamaster 300 received the Master Chronometer certification – this is undoubtedly the most demanding certification on the market, which guarantees not only its craftsmanship but also its performance (reliability, robustness and precision).
The new 2021 Omega Seamaster 300 Master Chronometer has a blue aluminum diving bezel + sandwich dial + high anti-magnetic movement. Its style is closer to the original appearance of the 1950s. Strangely, the Seamaster 300 used to sell so-so in the mainland. I can’t figure out the reason. Maybe this is another watch that the so-called professional editors are optimistic about, which must not be popular with the general consumers.