In my ongoing quest to find a modern diver I popped into a OB today and they happened to have just taken delivery of their first new Seamasters in black.

The new SM300m has increased to 42mm but weirdly it actually wears as big as (if not bigger than) the PO43.5. The PO is however noticeably thicker. Actually it's too thick for me. My wrist is between 7.5/7.75".

I have to say the finishing on the SM300m was excellent. The contrast between the polished and brushed elements of the case and the finishing on the dial were sublime.

As you can see from the picture, the waves aren't as evident in the flesh.

The bracelet is also much nicer on the newer model as it's not as rounded and has the lovely extension on the clasp.

A great watch all around really. I can see this selling exceptionally well.

Excuse the poor pictures.

 

Both stunning, personally now prefer the PO. Own the previous generation sm300 and prefer it's slightly more understated appearance to the new version, as well as smaller size.

 

Went in to the Omega Boutique last week to see the newly arrived Seamaster 300. Tried it on and I was very impressed apart from one major flaw, the bezel is very hard to turn. The scalloped edge design make it hard to grip. While it looks good and its thin profile fits my wrist well, the bezel shape is a design flaw.
Then tried on the PO 43.5mm. The PO is much thicker than the Seamaster but it actually sat on my smallish wrist very well. And of course it has the great bezel. Was hoping to spend less on the Seamaster instead of the PO but now looks like the PO is the one.

 

I had a Seamaster GMT a number of years ago and agree that the bezel was very hard to turn. Great watch though.

 

I've heard numerous people say the bezel on the 300M (both old and new models) is difficult to turn. I didn't notice any issue whatsoever. I seem to remember one of the reviews somewhere stating the bezel action had been upgraded as well?

Either way, although I try to like it, I just don't think the 300M is for me. It's both too modern and too 90's at the same time. It's just not to my taste.

The PO is a nice looking watch (especially in black) and I'm fine with the size - it's just the thickness at 16+mm. I'm not sure I can live with that.

 

Is the thickness of the new SMPc 300m the same as the old one?

 

The bezel is designed to be set with the palm of your hand to avoid accidental movement while diving.

 

Where have you read/heard that?

There seems to be a lot of people who say the bezel is difficult to operate but i haven't heard that explanation before.

 

new gen SMP > old SMP
new PO < old PO

Thus... new SMP > new PO

Scientific, right?

 

Ummm no, as a diver and gloves wearing diver I can tell you that is factually wrong, as well as basically impossible even if dry... since the bezel is not attached to the crystal.

 

43.5 PO wears small since the measurement includes the crown guard. I remember reading somewhere that the 39.5 PO dial was actually 38 so it's pretty likely that the 43.5 dial size is probably a 42 or even smaller.

 

Are the scuba diver

im a diver as well and have no issues setting my bezel with dive gloves.

 

With your palm?

 

Yes with my palm. It is almost impossible to set with your fingers without gloves let alone with dive gloves on,

 

...so how are you supposed to set the bezel correctly if you can't actually read it, or the dial because it's covered by your palm?

lol no. Just no.

 

Ugh, the SATs were so long ago....

Looks like science, I'll accept it!

 

Why don’t you consider the 39.5 PO, especially if your wrist is not on the larger side? Its much thinner compared to the 43,5 PO due to a thinner movement (8800 instead of the 8900). I bought it instead of the 43.5 because the latter was just too thick for me and Its great.

 

Weirdly I had pretty much the exact same experience at Bull Ring Boutique today. I tried on the new SMPs and was surprised that they didn’t feel any bigger than the 41mm versions I know and love. I hated it when they made the original thicker when they went Co-ax but in scaling it up imperceptibly it now disguises it’s increased girth very skilfully. I too think it will sell well. Not to me as I have done SMPs to death and moved on but I am truly impressed with this version, whereas the last waveless one left me cold.

No PO since the 2500 versions has impressed me at all so I had best concentrate my impressions on the SMP!

 

Can't go wrong with either of them watches

 

Try on the PO 43.5 before you dismiss it. Even though it is relatively thick, the design allows it to be worn very comfortably on small wrists.