Omega Seamaster 300 Review

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dsio

·Jan 17, 2012·Ash @ ΩF

Trev

Does plexiglass/etc have more a tendency to change shape over time?

Honestly I'm not sure. What I do know is that the Rolex Submariners (1680 and 5512/5513) and the Omega Seamaster 300 diver, which were rated to 200M / 660Ft were at the upper limits of what was possible with plexiglass, IIRC the deeper diving watches of that era either had extremely thick crystals like the superdome on the 1665 Sea-Dweller or mineral crystal as I believe the PloProf 600 had.

The Sea-Dweller 1665 Tropic 39 is just stupidly thick, as you can see below compared to a 5513 Submariner's 5513:



Of the two the Seamaster 300 is closer to the T19 of the 5513, and the dome probably does give it some added strength, but still plastic is plastic.

 

U

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ulackfocus

·Jan 17, 2012

Trev

Does plexiglass/etc have more a tendency to change shape over time?

Not really. Omega's Hesalite actually performed better than other brand's crystals when NASA tested a bunch of watches in extreme temperatures back in the 60's.

 

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rob541

·Jan 19, 2012

Great report. Great watch!

Rob

 

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dsio

·Jan 27, 2012·Ash @ ΩF

Well I got it back today, $280 later, the crown is so stiff I can hardly turn it, but even when I do turn it, it feels like its not turning correctly, like its not actually unscrewing, and there's no way to pull it out for setting... guess its going back in again...

 

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dsio

·Jan 28, 2012·Ash @ ΩF

dsio

Well I got it back today, $280 later, the crown is so stiff I can hardly turn it, but even when I do turn it, it feels like its not turning correctly, like its not actually unscrewing, and there's no way to pull it out for setting... guess its going back in again...

Finally got it set after some muscle and rubber gloves, its just stiffer than hell, but workable. Keeping it on a winder to save me having to rip skin off my fingers for now.

I do love this watch though 😀

 

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Trev

·Jan 28, 2012·The Architect

Why's it so stiff? Did BVW work on it?

 

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dsio

·Feb 1, 2012·Ash @ ΩF

Trev

Why's it so stiff? Did BVW work on it?

Yea they did, but I think its just the parts, its 1960s waterproofing technology, and its not the most user friendly.

 

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anonymous

·Feb 16, 2012

Stunning example, Ashley... one of the finest dials I've seen. Really enjoy the dateless 300, and I think the mil-spec 300 would be as recognizable and desirable as the 5517/5513 were it dateless as well.

Here's one within Omega's new museum

 

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dsio

·Feb 16, 2012·Ash @ ΩF

anonymous

Stunning example, Ashley... one of the finest dials I've seen. Really enjoy the dateless 300, and I think the mil-spec 300 would be as recognizable and desirable as the 5517/5513 were it dateless as well.

Here's one within Omega's new museum

They're a very attractive piece those, the real difficulty is that the condition particularly on the military variants is very ordinary, Mike Wood has several 5517s that look like they never saw moisture, while nearly every SM300 big-triangle dial, even those considered "good condition" have dials that look like they've been at the bottom of a swamp. This museum example is beyond reproach however, and the yellow patina looks exceptional. I really do wish they'd bring this diver back into the Seamaster line.

 

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rob541

·Feb 16, 2012

That is beautiful

 

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Steve

·Feb 16, 2012

dsio

They're a very attractive piece those, the real difficulty is that the condition particularly on the military variants is very ordinary, Mike Wood has several 5517s that look like they never saw moisture, while nearly every SM300 big-triangle dial, even those considered "good condition" have dials that look like they've been at the bottom of a swamp. This museum example is beyond reproach however, and the yellow patina looks exceptional. I really do wish they'd bring this diver back into the Seamaster line.

I agree, the yellow patina is stunning.

 

U

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ulackfocus

·Feb 16, 2012

The yellowish beige is great - but the chocolate dial is better.

 

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Steve

·Feb 16, 2012

U ulackfocus

The yellowish beige is great - but the chocolate dial is better.

Be nice to see an example of that .

 

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dsio

·Feb 16, 2012·Ash @ ΩF

Steve

Be nice to see an example of that .

This is a '57 Speedmaster but you get the idea:

 

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Steve

·Feb 16, 2012

Yes i've seen the chocolate dial speedie. very nice.

 

U

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ulackfocus

·Feb 16, 2012

Steve

Be nice to see an example of that .

Just look at that 300 with the yellowed lump - the dial is turning chocolate. It was a common trait of black Omega dials from the late 50's into the early 70's.

 

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Jacquot

·Feb 17, 2012

Amazing watch I knew nothing about and great review of it. Makes me want one!
David

 

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dsio

·Feb 19, 2012·Ash @ ΩF

Jacquot

Amazing watch I knew nothing about and great review of it. Makes me want one!
David

I really do highly recommend them, they're the most comfortable dive watches I've ever worn, a big step up from anything modern.

 

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JonW

·Mar 18, 2012

These are lovely watches and some of my faves of all time, they are just supremely wearable and imho are nicer and better made than the 5513/1680s of the era, so represent a bargain really.

The Omega on pictured... hmm... Its got a debatable dial that one... I would not buy a watch that exhibited the fake marking that one does. People need to be careful when buying these watches and should do research first. I believe Omega fell foul of that when they acquired this one, but they do assert its original, but i doubt it and I have seen this watch close up. just my 2c.

Here is one of mine, a Watchco. Nice watch that went all over the world with me. 😀

 

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dsio

·Mar 18, 2012·Ash @ ΩF

Looks great on Isofrane too, been debating getting one of those for some time, being a non-rubber guy, I'm wondering if its just the crap rubber straps that have turned me off.