ReviewEveryday Diver: The Iconic, Incomparable Omega Seamaster Diver 300M

Arguably, the best-known watch in film circles for being fictional MI6 agent James Bond’s go-to gadget on missions, the Omega Seamaster Diver 300M is much more than just a tool watch. In the 30 years since it has been around, the Seamaster Diver 300M has found its place as one of Omega’s most important lines, and has undoubtedly become an icon for those with an appreciation for mechanical ‘professional’ watches. Hallmarks of the watch include a 42mm case, ‘Master Chronometer’ certification, identifiable wave pattern etched onto the dial, and a ceramic insert on the unidirectional-rotating dive-timer bezel. Then there’s the helium escape valve at 10 o’clock, which serves no real purpose for everyday use, other than being an instant identifier for the watch. These are just a few of the reasons why the Seamaster Diver 300M is widely regarded as among the best everyday dive watches out there.

The Seamaster Through History

The name ‘Seamaster’ was first used for Omega’s water-resistant dress watch in 1947, which used an O-ring rubber gasket—like those in World War II submarines—to seal the crown and case, making it ‘waterproof’. Omega previously used shellac resin glue to make their watches water resistant, but this new technology, inspired by watches made for the British military, was far more effective and hence the moniker ‘Seamaster’.

Now among their oldest and most recognised collections, Omega have released various versions of the Seamaster over the years. These include the Seamaster 300, a robust dive watch with a 200m water resistance; the Seamaster Aqua Terra, Omega’s lifestyle-sport watch with 150m of water resistance; and, for serious deep-divers, the Seamaster Planet Ocean series, water-resistant to at least 600m. The Seamaster Planet Ocean Ultra Deep Professional dive watch has a water resistance rating of up to 15,000m, making it the deepest diving watch ever made.

The Seamaster Diver 300M was first introduced in 1993, and two years later, appeared on the wrist of Irish actor Pierce Brosnan, who brought to life Agent 007—better known as Bond, James Bond—in the film Goldeneye. Subsequently, actor Daniel Craig wore the watch, and other versions of it. This line of watches has grown considerably in the last three decades, with some models available with a chronograph function, or in a larger case size of 43.5mm for some models, or even the limited-run 007 and Nekton editions. Here though, we take a look at the base of all these special editions—the very iconic Seamaster Diver 300M time-and-date versions, in a 42mm.

Now among their oldest and most recognised collections, Omega have released various versions of the Seamaster over the years

Seen here is a version of Seamaster Diver 300M worn by fictional MI6 Agent 007 in the James Bond film franchise

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Seamaster Diver 300M: The Certified Master Chronometer

In 2018, the 41mm Seamaster 300M was reintroduced in a 42mm case size, with significant other changes. For starters, the movement within was updated with the calibre 8800, an in-house automatic movement, with enhanced anti-magnetism and shock resistance, and better accuracy. (Some models had versions of this 8800 movement.) This movement also features Omega’s co-axial escapement, which reduces friction and, by extension, wear and tear. The calibre 8800 offers a 55-hour power reserve—an upgrade from the industry standard. But, most importantly, not only is this a COSC-certified ‘chronometer’ movement (which means it has been certified for its accuracy and precision by an independent and impartial organisation Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres), but has also received a METAS ‘master’ guarantee. This means that the movement has gone through additional testing, while running inside a closed, finished timepiece, by the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology for the ultimate precision certification). Ergo, ‘Master Chronometer’!

In 2018, the 41mm Seamaster 300M was reintroduced in a 42mm case size, with significant other changes

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For starters, the movement within was updated with the calibre 8800, an in-house automatic movement, with enhanced anti-magnetism and shock resistance, and better accuracy

This updated calibre 8800 a COSC-certified ‘chronometer’ movement, which means it has been certified for its accuracy and precision

It has also received a METAS ‘master’ guarantee, which means that the movement has gone through additional testing, while running inside a closed, finished timepiece. Ergo, ‘Master Chronometer’

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Omega are known for their precision. Omega are also known for their quest to improve this precision, having recently unveiled their calibre 9920, which offers unmatched accuracy. However, even their calibre 8800, with an accuracy of 0/+5 seconds per day means that the watch rarely needs correcting. And Omega have backed this with a five-year warranty, and a recommended service interval of 10 years.

To read more about calibre 9920 and Omega’s accuracy standards, click here

The New Ceramic Dial Of The Seamaster Diver 300M

The updated dials are made from zirconium dioxide (ZrO2), or zirconia, otherwise known as ceramic, a light, tough material that is resistant to magnetism and corrosion. To differentiate these new dials from those on previous Seamaster Diver 300M watches, the brand has etched ZrO2 just beneath the middle of the dial. The iconic wave pattern has been laser engraved onto the material. While these waves are further apart than those on pre-2018 models, they provide extra depth and dimension to the watch.

The ceramic dials themselves are in the classic blue, black, white and silver, and a stunning new forest green. Launched in 2022, the brand-new green looks almost black in certain light conditions.

In some blue, black and white models, the word Seamaster under the Omega logo at 12, and the tip of the lollipop seconds hand, appear in red—a gorgeous contrast against the stunning simplicity of the wave-patterned dial. Circular hour markers and skeletonised timekeeping hands are filled with Super-LumiNova.

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Dual-toned models don’t have red highlights, although they do look more mature for it. On these, the skeletonised lume-filled hands are either polished steel, Sedna gold, yellow gold, or blue against the silver dial. The date window sits at six o’clock, with the words ‘Co-axial’, ‘Master Chronometer’ and the depth rating just above it.

The Omega Seamaster Diver 300M with a Sedna gold case and bezel and matching timekeeping hands against a blue dial

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Dual toned models don't have the work 'Seamaster' in red, although they do look more mature for it

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The date window sits at six o’clock, with the words ‘Co-axial’, ‘Master Chronometer’ and the depth rating just above it

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Other Features Of The Seamaster Diver 300M

Also in ceramic, is the bezel insert, with clear Arabic numerals in 10-digit intervals, and a lume-filled marker at 12 o’clock, even as the material of the bezel itself varies for different models—Omega’s proprietary Sedna gold, and yellow gold being the most prominent against the steel of the case. The bezel inserts are in green against the forest green of the dial, in blue against the silver dial, and black on the white and black dials.

The one-way conical helium escape valve at 10 o’clock is used during decompression, only for deep dives over long stretches, and is a feature that even most recreational divers will never use. Still, it is a cool feature, and an instant identifier of the Seamaster Diver 300M.

The Seamaster Diver 300M with a silver dial, blue ceremic bezel insert and blued timekeeping hands

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The blue dial on a stainless steel case, with a Sedna gold bezel and matching lume-filled timekeeping hands

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The Omega Seamaster Diver 300M in a steel case and a Sedna gold bezel with a black ceramic insert, and Sedna gold hands on the black dial

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The one-way conical helium escape valve at 10 o’clock is used during decompression, only for deep dives over long stretches, and is a feature that even most recreational divers will never use

₹7,90,900

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With comfortable ergonomics due to its curved lugs, the watch is mounted on a stainless steel bracelet, or a rubber strap that matches the dial colours. The Seamaster Diver 300M is more than just a dive watch—it holds its own outside of the water, and is reliable, precise and accurate enough to function as an everyday watch. While it transcends its tool watch status and works with any attire, it is also instantly identifiable, and is one of the best watches you could ever have.