The helium valve is a design feature, not a flaw - it balances the overall design of the watch it was first used on, the SMP 300, beautifully. If you don't agree, have a look at a photoshoppet picture of one without it; it looks much more balanced. Someone used an expression along the lines of "showing that balance and symmetry are two different things" and this describes it wonderfully. The worst, common feature I know of on a watch are day-date windows. Almost never fails to look tacked on and busy.
How else are you supposed to activate the high powered laser and other gadgets? Edited to add photographic proof:
Oh great that ray of sunshine that is OR is back. At least he has changed the record and isn't harping on about that Ur-Reduced he likes so much. Can't say I like this tune much either though. Prepare for a pointless 3 page thread until it is locked due to justified abuse aimed at the OP.
Honestly I do not see what the issue is here. The escape valve has a purpose and thusly it isn't a simple design flaw. I will admit one thing though, I've only just noticed the escape valves positioning after seeing the photos on this thread, despite seeing so many seamasters before... :\
OP: "I'm not sure I would be able to live with this on my watch..." ME: That's how feel about the bubble on the crystal of nearly every Rolex!
I don't own a 300M or PO but I like the HE valve. Makes the watch a bit more distinctive than all the other dive watch clones. Fun to be able to tell right off the bat if someone's wearing one on TV
Exactly! That thing is for setting and disarming remote mines! That's also why I own a Seamaster 2541.80.
Super wrist shot @pianomankd From your photo we can see that Omega have taken the care to align the "CFD type" waves on the dial with the He Valve. The new Seamaster is a superb re-issue. The OP has every right not like to the design (I am not 100% a fan to be honest), but I do think it is rather silly / immature / troll type behaviour to post the He-valve as a "design flaw" on the Omega forum.