Had my eyes on this when it was introduced in 2014. I recalled when the Seamaster 300 Master Coaxial was first unveiled, I was very excited and first thought was I need to get it. Then doubts began to overwhelm me. I began to compare this to the CK2913. Do I like the new dial? The polished and shiny bracelet? The exhibition caseback? Given the doubts, i went to take a look when an AD told me one just arrived. I'll show some pics first and give a few thoughts about the watch. Apologies for any dust on the watch. I don't stay in a lab. Some thoughts after a few days on the wrist. Dial - I think I like it. Was doubtful about all the text on the dial as I studied the press photos and real life photos of the watch. Would have much preferred the Seamaster text to be on the lower half of the dial but it still works. The brown /gold fonts allow for some contrast from all the other white text. Love the "sandwiched" dial with the lume wells looking faithful to the originals. The faux patina works for me and I appreciate that Omega has applied a grainy texture with the lume. Case - I love the 40mm case. Thankfully Omega did not case this in a 42 or 44mm case. However it is a little thick at 15mm vs 12.8mm on my 16610LV. It may be due to the movement but I will overlook this as this is after all a modern dive watch. Exhibition caseback looks nice and all but I still prefer a solid caseback for this SM300. Don't get me wrong, I love to ogle at movements under the hood and I appreciate high end finishing when I see them. The finishing is respectable but this is no Lange. Perhaps a commemorative solid caseback may be more apt. Just a thought. Bracelet - I did not like the polished bracelet before I had the watch in hand. But it turns out to complement the watch well. No complaints there. It's extremely comfy with the micro adjustments and it fits the wrist like a glove. My only grouse is the clasp. I feel Omega could have put some thought into the design of the clasp and come out with a more vintage looking clasp. The clasp is too modern looking. I believe they could have designed one given the reissues they have introduced. For those who are thinking of adding this, I suggest you do not compare this to the original CK2913. A modern watch will never have the character of the vintage. If you're ready to look past that, it will be one very attractive watch, and IMHO, the most attractive in the current Omega lineup. That said, anyone looking to sell me a nice CK2913? Thanks for looking!
Congrats Gavin. I want one too, but I can't bring myself to buy a new watch as there are still so many grails on my list.
Thank you I went to get one as soon as the Omega Store in NYC had it. Once there I tried it on and actually didn't like it. I lived the press pics and the concept, but to me the dial is very unbalanced. On one hand the text, on the other the sizing and balance of the marker designs that IMO should be smaller. As they are now they make a little "hyperspace" effect, like the star wars visual when they jump to hyperspace seen from inside a ship. Online a starfish. It's not elegant at all and the actual Original sm 300 works better for me. I also don't like the curated vintage look. It's like paying for someone's version of a great watch, instead of a great watch. Very Swatch of them to do so. I would have loved if they just issued a seamaster 300 that looked like the new seamaster 300 looked when it was issued, just like they do with the speedmaster series and the new fwos speedy. Then let is age with time. It's a good enough design that one could like it new after all. Much better than the smp 300 So I walked out with an Aqua Terra Master coaxial.
Thanks and congrats, very nice review. I too bought this watch in SS and quite like it. I personally love the bracelet -- the flat polished links totally complete the vintage look in my opinion.
Thank guys for your kind words and added thoughts I know what you mean John. Was torn when it came to decision time. Set me a few steps back from the JLC DSA or Polaris. But heck, I can't get myself one of those with this money either.
You need a water resistant watch quota for wet days anyway, especially in tropical climates. I've just got the two for that, the rest I can't really trust in the rain.
Thanks for the review and the great pictures. I'm not sure how I feel about all of the watches "features" laser etched into the case back and lugs though. Hopefully its not a trend for future new or re-released watches from Omega.
I really love, what do you think about the new titanium version??, the watch with the plastic is the new titanium version.
I also tried on the TI version when I was there. Not crazy about the blue but I really like the lighter weight. But I was just not inclined to pay 50% more for it.
The ti version was my choice, yes it's over priced, but the blue dial and the weight reduction make it worth the extra money.
@Gavin, Nice review. I find the SM300 Master Co-Axial a perfect blend of vintage and modern. I like that it was designed as its own watch, and not necessarily a reissue. Of course don’t get me wrong, I think Omega did a masterful job with the 1957 Triology series, and am waiting for a 300 to come-up second hand! Worth mentioning on the Master Co-Axial is the Liquid Metal bezel. It is absolutely stunning and what makes the piece IMHO. I completely agree that the size at 40mm is spot on for a modern Diver with a vintage feel. I found the polished bracelet to be too much maintenance. Finger print cleaning 1000X per day was a PITA. I had a brushed finish put on mine and I think it compliments the watch much better in look and feel. Thanks for the great pics and info, well done!
Really nice. My only problem with these re-issues is the fake patina brown lume. Wish they'd just put in normal white lume and let the watch stand on its own feet as a modern version of a classic.
