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No love for the SM300?

bradurani
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flw flw
I'm not sure I agree, although I see your point. The Moonwatch has been continuously produced with hardly any changes at all since the mid-1960s. (I'll leave the discussion of the significance of the change from the 321 to the 861 caliber to those with far more technical expertise than I.) That said, it would be rather like characterizing the Submariner as a reissue. If there's never been a hiatus in production of an essentially unchanged model, isn't it just the same watch it's always been?

In the friendliest of spirits, Sir, I see a major difference, and I think it's the difference that sets the 2 brands apart. The Sub is a thoroughly modern watch, in materials, style, movement technology, while the Moonwatch isn't. The Moonwatch has only had a few inconsequential changes since the 861. Can you imagine if Rolex released a Sub with an acrylic crystal? LMAO. They would never because it's modern watch with style cues of the original, not the same watch they were making back in the 70s. Think Porsche 911s:

Today's Moonwatch
60s.jpg


Today's Submariner:
2020.jpeg


I don't think you can call the 2nd car a re-issue, but if they were still making the first one (even if they made a few tweaks, like modern headlights), you certainly would.
 
flw
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I suppose my difference of opinion is mostly semantic. I don't see the Moonwatch, acrylic crystal or no, as a re-issue ... more as just a continuous issue, unchanged in any significant way, since it's been in constant production without interruption. Same thing (essentially) with the Submariner, which, as you rightly point out, has undergone a process of glacial evolution, but is a very substantially modernized watch over its 1950s original form. Something like the 60th anniversary Seamaster 300 LE, on the other hand, is a true re-issue.

So, a distinction without a real difference. Nice cars, by the way! 😉
 
Lode_Runner
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I owned this watch in steel a couple of years ago, but flipped it after about a month. I found it a little heavy and bulky, and it felt somewhat redundant of other Seamaster models that I had (which included SMP and PO models -- this is probably why I keep hearing from my AD that Omega is planning to discontinue this model). I recently acquired (through a trade) the titanium version of the SM300, with the bluish bezel and dial, and wow, what a difference. This one hasn't left my wrist in three weeks and has quickly become my favorite Omega diver reference.

What's weird about this watch is that, speaking personally, I have never considered myself a "titanium guy." I generally prefer the more substantial feeling of steel, and many titanium watches I have owned had that washed out finish that just (to my eyes) looks crappy, such as the Tudor Pelagos and even the previous generation Planet Ocean 8500 Ti, among others. I don't know what Omega did here, but the titanium SM300 has the most lustrous and best look I've ever seen on a titanium watch. It looks just like steel but very light weight. Anyway, highly recommend the SM300 in titanium. The watch is pricey but there are discounts to be had, as this one doesn't sell all that well. 🙁

IMG_1169.jpg
 
Jrcigar
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bradurani bradurani
The fauxtina is definitely a love-it-or-hate-it thing. Omega relies so heavily on their vintage re-issues in the Speedmaster line (yes, the Speedmaster Professional is a re-issue), it seems a shame go for a re-issue on a Seamaster, the line where they focus so much on and do such a good job at pushing the envelope of modern watch design.

with regard to the cream colored markers, I think they would have looked terrible in stark white. I’ve never been one to understand why markers MUST be pure white..

IMO this color blends flawlessly with the dial
 
bradurani
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Jrcigar Jrcigar
with regard to the cream colored markers, I think they would have looked terrible in stark white. I’ve never been one to understand why markers MUST be pure white..

IMO this color blends flawlessly with the dial

I feel like the dislike for fauxtina is not because of a preference for white. It's more the the simulated aging feels inauthentic.
 
Blackdog
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bradurani bradurani
I feel like the dislike for fauxtina is not because of a preference for white. It's more the the simulated aging feels inauthentic.
OK, but then what that person would rather have ? I can only think of white. I may not look inauthentic anymore, but will it look good ?

Personally, I prefer the warmth of the current shade. I just see it as a color choice to complement a specific esthetics.
 
UCZ_15
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This is a really cool watch. Think it dresses up or down a lot more than the regular SMPc. I wanted to try one on when I went to grab my SMPc but they never had it in stock.
 
Scooterino36
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Blackdog Blackdog
OK, but then what that person would rather have ? I can only think of white. I may not look inauthentic anymore, but will it look good ?

Personally, I prefer the warmth of the current shade. I just see it as a color choice to complement a specific esthetics.

Agreed. I think anyone that doesn’t know what “fauxtina” is would simply think it’s a color choice that goes well with the design. I don’t think the 300 MC screams artificially aged.
 
dstfno
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People forget that back in the day lume was never as white as the current luminova to begin with. It would be silly to make a vintage inspired watch and filling the indices with stark white lume.
 
Blackdog
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Scooterino36 Scooterino36
I don’t think the 300 MC screams artificially aged.
Certainly not. It's a thoroughly modern watch, with design nods to a vintage classic.

If anything, the use of the "fauxtina" should be more in question on the SM300 60th, which being a re-creation of an original one, it's made to look old. But I do not question that either. It's just a color and an esthetic choice.

BTW: I got the B&S 21mm Tropic. Another excellent strap choice for the 300MC !! Thanks for the tip.
 
High Hope
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bradurani bradurani
In the friendliest of spirits, Sir, I see a major difference, and I think it's the difference that sets the 2 brands apart. The Sub is a thoroughly modern watch, in materials, style, movement technology, while the Moonwatch isn't. The Moonwatch has only had a few inconsequential changes since the 861. Can you imagine if Rolex released a Sub with an acrylic crystal? LMAO. They would never because it's modern watch with style cues of the original, not the same watch they were making back in the 70s. Think Porsche 911s:

Today's Moonwatch
60s.jpg


Today's Submariner:
2020.jpeg


I don't think you can call the 2nd car a re-issue, but if they were still making the first one (even if they made a few tweaks, like modern headlights), you certainly would.
Wow @bradurani , such a cool comparison and not a single OF'r gets all frothy over Porsche 911s? While I would love the second car, the long hood originals are such classics as to be equally desirable. Brown leather sport seats, sunroof, thru-grill driving lights...in Aubergine!
 
imranbecks
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The two diver 300...

50371193708_6efbe159fc_b.jpg
 
Gerry73
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144
I love the SM 300. Would like the lollipop seconds hand of the Spectre version. One question I have wondered about that version, is there lume on the bezel? The bezel market at the 12 o' clock is different to the non Spectre. I assume the numbers are lumed on the limited edition? Seems very unusual to have no lume on the bezel but I haven't seen a Spectre in the flesh let alone the dark! Just wondered. G
 
dstfno
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Gerry73 Gerry73
I love the SM 300. Would like the lollipop seconds hand of the Spectre version. One question I have wondered about that version, is there lume on the bezel? The bezel market at the 12 o' clock is different to the non Spectre. I assume the numbers are lumed on the limited edition? Seems very unusual to have no lume on the bezel but I haven't seen a Spectre in the flesh let alone the dark! Just wondered. G
There is no lume on the Spectre bezel. As it's not a diver's bezel it's not really needed (unless it is to look cool).
 
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