Could this watch be Omega's answer to the Rolex Yacht-Master? The YM takes its diver design cues from the Sub but is intended to be a topside watch; it has a lower WR rating than the Sub (though it uses exactly the same crown design, so it's probably actually just as WR in practice) and a bidirectional solid platinum bezel on a SS case. Omega might be using the SM300 design as inspiration for a new type of dive-inspired luxury topside watch with all the latest tech (if indeed the case is ceramic). We'll know soon enough.
New video confirms the all-stainless version at least, though I'm actually more interested to see what the "special" version ends up being.
So much so that I think I have fallen in love, hated, and fallen in love again with this watch 100 times and it isn't even out yet!
I hear you... Right now I am back in love -- PCLS!! definitely looks SS - I think Shem is onto something with the Yacht-Master role in the Omega Stable...looks a bit more stylish...but not sure how the "patina Dial" will fit... Either way...Back in love (for now)
Wow that starts to look seriously cool! I had been reserving my opinion until now, but after seeing that clip I think it looks like this one is definitely going to be a winner in the looks department. I worry about the price though and as am not in the habit of taking a direct hit on a watch I doubt it will even make "The List"
AKA a cutout dial - the dial has design elements cut out of it, and an underdial, usually in a contrasting color, shows through the cutouts. Panerai is the best known of the modern users of cutout dials. They were found in certain watches in the 1930s and 1940s, like this little number I picked up in Melbourne the year before last.
I'd imagine initially it was probably a cost saving measure more than anything, if you can lume the underdial, then stamp out the top dial with a die you don't need to pay someone to paint it. It does however look very cool due to the added dimension it creates.
except most cutout dials I've seen aren't featureless - I'm thinking of the sublime Longines chronographs in Goldberger's book.
For a vintage Seamaster addict, this is "THE" modern Omega I've been waiting for, and it does somewhat look as expected for a modern re-issue (given of course the difference in expectations between today's vs 50/60's "Awesome"). Still, am not complaining, but it looks to be missing 2 of the most desireable features of the original Seamaster 300 IMO: 1. That amazing minimalist very narrow bezel in comparison to the rest of the watch 2. That iconic text font which so defines the original first issue of the first generation straight lug divers... missing the sexy "S" and slick "3" Instead, it looks like the "300" will remain with the 300M modern, round hour marker monsters! It's sad that this re-issue opportunity was not used to re-define the Seamaster 300 identity back to what it was meant to represent, and "fix" the 200 m vs 300 m [edit] issue they introduced the watch with in '58!
Wasn't it 200m rather than 200ft? I seem to remember there was some situation like the watch actually being safe to full depth but the pressure testing equipment necessary not being available.
There's actually a video somewhere where they explain it, something like they actually tested it to full depth in a lake or something and it passed easily but couldn't be used for official rating purposes
Yes, their pressure testing equipment of the time wasn't capable of testing beyond 200m, but the watch performed way beyond their official rating capabilities. I'd love to see that video, though... haven't come across it before, if anyone could share the link