My New Seamaster 300M - I Hate the Stock Bracelet! Options Review

reverbtime

Big fan of the OEM, non-tapered bracelet. For better or worse, it's part of the DNA of the SMP300.

I have the previous non-wave black dial 41mm (SMPc). I believe the bracelet finishing is slightly different on the individual links, to the current OEM bracelet version. The edges are a bit more rounded, I believe.

ckamp

Nice post! Totally agree on the chunkiness of those bracelets. Tapered would be great.

DougPhx

IMO the weight is functional & needed. Balance for the heavy case topside to help with a great fit and of course the best part--the huge range of no tool on the fly adjustment. I wish every steel band I own had this great clasp.

I tried another band once. I also put in the Omega rubber occasionally. I always come back the the OG bracelet quickly though because it is perfect for this watch. Also as others have said it’s iconic for this watch.

ErichPryde

Hmmmmm. Can't say for certain because I don't know exactly what model you have but it's likely that your Seamaster Pro head alone weighs about 85g. The Heritage weighs 84 g, a Rolex Sub six digit probably close to 81g. All very, very close. But both the heritage and the Rolex with their bracelets weigh in at basically 150 g (fitted to a 7" wrist) vs the ~185g weight of the SMP. And neither a 6-digit Rolex nor the Seamaster Heritage feels at all off balance with the lighter weight bracelets. And although the sub sits lower and Tighter to the wrist, the Heritage case dimensions are very, very close to the SMP case dimensions (it does have a taller crystal perhaps, so the case might sit a touch lower).

All this to say that I don't think a more tapered bracelet would make this watch feel at all off balance.

I will definitely say that the pro does feel taller to me than the Heritage, and ultimately with these watches being so close, weight is typically not as much of an issue as how that weight is distributed, which can and does make a vast difference in feel.

DougPhx

I own the SMP300m. You said it at the end. FEEL. I just know when I put on the bracelet the weight distribution and comfort just feels good/correct. I tried a tapered Forstner, what a waste. Decent quality but just did not feel right. Also I admit…the on the fly range of adjustment has spoiled me.

ErichPryde

I am curious of what the forstner bracelet weighs, if you still have it. I do agree that on the Fly micro adjust is awesome, I struggle without having a couple of positions to use myself.