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Annapolis
·My ownership of this watch is @dsio (aka Ash's) fault: this is a purchase I only thought to make, via eBay, because of his enabling thread here, monitoring eBay listings of modern Omegas. I've had it since September, and, as usual, forced myself to wait before writing a review---always good to outlive the honeymoon stage first.
The basics, before I get evaluative.
*Reference: 522.30.41.20.01.001
*Limited edition of 3,016 pieces (was originally supposed to be a smaller run--2,016 for the year---but I think they increased it when they realized it was going to be popular).
*You can see the full official Omega specs here.
*You can see Tim Mosso's review here.
*Co-axial automatic 2500 movement
*48hr power reserve
*41mm diameter (excluding crown and He valve)
*47mm lug to lug--52mm with the flared end-links
*13mm thick
*ceramic lumed unidirectional 120-click dive bezel
*sapphire crystal, coated on both sides
*stainless steel case and bracelet
*20mm lug-spacing
*5-link faceted stainless bracelet, non-tapering
*dive clasp with dive extension, no micro-adjust
*300M water resistance (30 bar)
*screw-down crown and He valve
*weight with all links: 180g
The key features of this watch that distinguish it from the standard-issue 41mm Bond divers of the same era are the Rio Olympics branded caseback with LE number, the lumed and colored-numeral bezel with the colors of the Olympics logo (red, green, yellow and blue), and the black dial featuring a printed gray wave pattern that pays tribute to the city of Rio---the sidewalks of Copacabana beach. Functionally speaking, it's the same as those other watches.
I should start by saying that I have no personal connection to, particular knowledge of, or even interest in the Rio Olympics. I've never been to Rio--or Brazil for that matter--and while I'd love to go there, it's not especially high on my travel to-do list. My attraction to this watch is not linked to the occasion of its existence.
I just think the 41mm diver is the best version of the 300M pro Omega ever made. I've owned smaller ones (36mm) and the latest gen (42mm), and this is--for me, without any contest--the optimal size. You lose the sapphire caseback of the newer ones, but I never thought much of those movements (aesthetically) anyway, and what you get is a watch that fits the wrist perfectly---nice and thin and contoured. It's substantial but not too heavy.
As corny as it to say, pictures don't do this watch justice. It's a "tool watch," but with the glossy black against the stainless, with the shiny ceramic, and the indices with white gold surrounds... the watch is elegant enough to be worn with work attire. I tend to use it as my weekend watch, and I wear it when I work out or go swimming too. But on occasion I've worn it with a suit and tie, and it's totally fitting.
My favorite thing about this watch--indeed the main reason I went for it--is the colorful ceramic bezel. Since it's my "weekend" watch, I wanted something fun, but I'm also a pretty understated guy. This was exactly my speed. Splashes of color, but nothing gaudy. It's kept my interest for months now, and I haven't once regretted or tired of it.
For my 6-1/2" wrist, a fine fit.
And down the barrel, looking just right, too. Maybe, actually, the best-fitting watch I've ever owned---it seems contoured perfectly for my wrist size and shape..
A shot in natural light. There's no missing the wave-pattern: it doesn't disappear the way some the non-LE ones do; I happen to like that, but I'm guessing it won't be everyone's favorite feature.
The caseback. The media-blast texturing is pretty cool.
The bracelet with the dive extension. This preowned specimen has seen some use---I cleaned it up a bit, but it's got its share of scratches and gunkiness, and some of the screw-heads have clearly been stripped a bit.
The exceptionally awesome lumed bezel--this thing is a pleasure to read in the dark, and lume lasts all night.
After about half a year of ownership, what can I say?
With respect to the watch in general: as with most 300Ms, the bezel isn't the easiest to grip, but it's totally doable once you get a feel for it. The 120-clicks are crisp and precise, with no backplay at all. That said, it's a Seamaster, not a modern Submariner, so it has a "clicky-ness" to it, not a buttery-smooth action.
I do wish the bracelet had a bit of a taper, but I've gotten used to it--that's just a Seamaster thing. Of course, I wish the He valve didn't exist--again, you get used to it.
The watch feels rugged, and I do everything with it, even mow the lawn. (Inside joke here at OF--you can google it.) It goes in the pool, the spa tub, the steam room. I wear it while biking, using the chainsaw, lifting weights, hiking, hammering nails, whatever. I haven't dropped it, but it seems like it would survive unscathed. At the same time, it's pretty elegant and curvy, and I've caught myself bedazzled by it in certain lighting more than once.
With respect to my specific watch: timekeeping is very good--I'd say about minus 2 seconds per day. When I wind it fully, I do believe I'm getting the full 48hr power reserve, though I haven't tested this rigorously. That said, I'm sometimes doubtful that the rotor is winding the watch as fully/efficiently as it should be: if I wear it every day, it's no problem, but since I usually put it in rotation with my dressier work watch (Aqua Terra), I'll sometimes give it a full wind (60 to 75 turns), wear it for day, then skip a day and wear it again--rinse and repeat--and by, say, the fourth night of this alternation, it will stop in the middle of the night. I'm active enough during the day that I think it should have more reserve than this after a full day of wearing. Again, I haven't tested this theory--it's just anecdotal. But I don't believe the watch has ever been serviced, and I'm starting to think it's due. Honestly, given the scratches and crud that came on the watch when I bought it, I wouldn't mind sending it in for service and refinishing.
I was lucky enough to pick this up (thanks to Ash's keen eyes and charitable sharing) for about $1,000 less than any other one I've seen listed before or since: around $3,200. Most of the ones on the market now seem to be listed above 5k, and some are approaching 6. Even though it's a relatively rare watch and I love it, I'd find it a pretty tough proposition at that price-point. To my mind, it's about as good as one can do for a modern luxury diver under or around 4k. Once you get above that, other options (from several brands) start to compete, and it's tougher to make the case. That said, I don't envision selling this one anytime soon. (Famous last words.)
Guessing some folks really dislike(d) the colors on the bezel. Definitely not for everyone! But to me, such a fun feature--and a reminder of how little details can transform a watch.
The basics, before I get evaluative.
*Reference: 522.30.41.20.01.001
*Limited edition of 3,016 pieces (was originally supposed to be a smaller run--2,016 for the year---but I think they increased it when they realized it was going to be popular).
*You can see the full official Omega specs here.
*You can see Tim Mosso's review here.
*Co-axial automatic 2500 movement
*48hr power reserve
*41mm diameter (excluding crown and He valve)
*47mm lug to lug--52mm with the flared end-links
*13mm thick
*ceramic lumed unidirectional 120-click dive bezel
*sapphire crystal, coated on both sides
*stainless steel case and bracelet
*20mm lug-spacing
*5-link faceted stainless bracelet, non-tapering
*dive clasp with dive extension, no micro-adjust
*300M water resistance (30 bar)
*screw-down crown and He valve
*weight with all links: 180g
The key features of this watch that distinguish it from the standard-issue 41mm Bond divers of the same era are the Rio Olympics branded caseback with LE number, the lumed and colored-numeral bezel with the colors of the Olympics logo (red, green, yellow and blue), and the black dial featuring a printed gray wave pattern that pays tribute to the city of Rio---the sidewalks of Copacabana beach. Functionally speaking, it's the same as those other watches.
I should start by saying that I have no personal connection to, particular knowledge of, or even interest in the Rio Olympics. I've never been to Rio--or Brazil for that matter--and while I'd love to go there, it's not especially high on my travel to-do list. My attraction to this watch is not linked to the occasion of its existence.
I just think the 41mm diver is the best version of the 300M pro Omega ever made. I've owned smaller ones (36mm) and the latest gen (42mm), and this is--for me, without any contest--the optimal size. You lose the sapphire caseback of the newer ones, but I never thought much of those movements (aesthetically) anyway, and what you get is a watch that fits the wrist perfectly---nice and thin and contoured. It's substantial but not too heavy.
As corny as it to say, pictures don't do this watch justice. It's a "tool watch," but with the glossy black against the stainless, with the shiny ceramic, and the indices with white gold surrounds... the watch is elegant enough to be worn with work attire. I tend to use it as my weekend watch, and I wear it when I work out or go swimming too. But on occasion I've worn it with a suit and tie, and it's totally fitting.
My favorite thing about this watch--indeed the main reason I went for it--is the colorful ceramic bezel. Since it's my "weekend" watch, I wanted something fun, but I'm also a pretty understated guy. This was exactly my speed. Splashes of color, but nothing gaudy. It's kept my interest for months now, and I haven't once regretted or tired of it.
For my 6-1/2" wrist, a fine fit.
And down the barrel, looking just right, too. Maybe, actually, the best-fitting watch I've ever owned---it seems contoured perfectly for my wrist size and shape..
A shot in natural light. There's no missing the wave-pattern: it doesn't disappear the way some the non-LE ones do; I happen to like that, but I'm guessing it won't be everyone's favorite feature.
The caseback. The media-blast texturing is pretty cool.
The bracelet with the dive extension. This preowned specimen has seen some use---I cleaned it up a bit, but it's got its share of scratches and gunkiness, and some of the screw-heads have clearly been stripped a bit.
The exceptionally awesome lumed bezel--this thing is a pleasure to read in the dark, and lume lasts all night.
After about half a year of ownership, what can I say?
With respect to the watch in general: as with most 300Ms, the bezel isn't the easiest to grip, but it's totally doable once you get a feel for it. The 120-clicks are crisp and precise, with no backplay at all. That said, it's a Seamaster, not a modern Submariner, so it has a "clicky-ness" to it, not a buttery-smooth action.
I do wish the bracelet had a bit of a taper, but I've gotten used to it--that's just a Seamaster thing. Of course, I wish the He valve didn't exist--again, you get used to it.
The watch feels rugged, and I do everything with it, even mow the lawn. (Inside joke here at OF--you can google it.) It goes in the pool, the spa tub, the steam room. I wear it while biking, using the chainsaw, lifting weights, hiking, hammering nails, whatever. I haven't dropped it, but it seems like it would survive unscathed. At the same time, it's pretty elegant and curvy, and I've caught myself bedazzled by it in certain lighting more than once.
With respect to my specific watch: timekeeping is very good--I'd say about minus 2 seconds per day. When I wind it fully, I do believe I'm getting the full 48hr power reserve, though I haven't tested this rigorously. That said, I'm sometimes doubtful that the rotor is winding the watch as fully/efficiently as it should be: if I wear it every day, it's no problem, but since I usually put it in rotation with my dressier work watch (Aqua Terra), I'll sometimes give it a full wind (60 to 75 turns), wear it for day, then skip a day and wear it again--rinse and repeat--and by, say, the fourth night of this alternation, it will stop in the middle of the night. I'm active enough during the day that I think it should have more reserve than this after a full day of wearing. Again, I haven't tested this theory--it's just anecdotal. But I don't believe the watch has ever been serviced, and I'm starting to think it's due. Honestly, given the scratches and crud that came on the watch when I bought it, I wouldn't mind sending it in for service and refinishing.
I was lucky enough to pick this up (thanks to Ash's keen eyes and charitable sharing) for about $1,000 less than any other one I've seen listed before or since: around $3,200. Most of the ones on the market now seem to be listed above 5k, and some are approaching 6. Even though it's a relatively rare watch and I love it, I'd find it a pretty tough proposition at that price-point. To my mind, it's about as good as one can do for a modern luxury diver under or around 4k. Once you get above that, other options (from several brands) start to compete, and it's tougher to make the case. That said, I don't envision selling this one anytime soon. (Famous last words.)
Guessing some folks really dislike(d) the colors on the bezel. Definitely not for everyone! But to me, such a fun feature--and a reminder of how little details can transform a watch.
