Omega SeaMaster 300 Watchco: your thoughts about it?

KJH666 · Jul 22, 2017

They are lovely watches and a best of both worlds scenario, most look brand new, but have that lovely vintage feel. I had one and flipped it. The prices have risen steadily over the past few years since Watchco stopped doing them. Mine was on a bracelet and was bought and sold for £2,700.00.

I did bid on an original big triangle full set, but that went for £12k or closer to £15k with commission and vat etc.

I can see these continuing to rise in price.

BlackTalon · Jul 22, 2017

They still make them here and there. I bought one from them less than 6 months ago.

Ludi · Jul 22, 2017

I bought one from Watchco Australia nearly 10 years ago now (oh boy !) ... can still remember the long wait for the parcel to arrive 😁 (and my fear that something wrong happens on its way)

Never have any issue, great pleasure to wear it (too occasionally though), good value for money 👍

KJH666 · Jul 22, 2017

BlackTalon
They still make them here and there. I bought one from them less than 6 months ago.

Was that the no date version, the old 165:024 if you like. I understood these are long gone, but they still have some with the date 166.024. Happy to be corrected if this is incorrect. Someone, somewhere reported that they no longer had access to the parts to build them.

BlackTalon · Jul 22, 2017

The one I purchased is a no-date. They had both types available.

OWa · Jul 22, 2017

You can get both. There is just a 164.0324 case (date version) with screw down crown available as a service replacement. You can fit that with a 552 calibre and a 165.024 dial in order to have a no date version. The inside of the case back and the screw down crown is the only difference to a 165.024. There might even be 165.024 case backs available, if you care about that.

Have a look at this: http://watchguy.co.uk/service-omega-seamaster-300-166-0324-calibre-552/

WatchVaultNYC · Jul 22, 2017

They are a great idea. And maybe even more legitimate now given the new LE 1957 Seamaster is roughly the same idea.

w.finkenstaedt · Jul 22, 2017

WatchVaultNYC
They are a great idea. And maybe even more legitimate now given the new LE 1957 Seamaster is roughly the same idea.

I'd honestly love to have the 8806 inside mine. It would be my perfect watch!

noelekal · Jul 22, 2017

I'd own it. The style stands out from later Omega diver offerings. I just need to sneak up on one at a good price.

KJH666 · Jul 22, 2017

OWa
You can get both. There is just a 164.0324 case (date version) with screw down crown available as a service replacement. You can fit that with a 552 calibre and a 165.024 dial in order to have a no date version. The inside of the case back and the screw down crown is the only difference to a 165.024. There might even be 165.024 case backs available, if you care about that.

Have a look at this: http://watchguy.co.uk/service-omega-seamaster-300-166-0324-calibre-552/

Thanks, will have to have a look into it 😀

demchocholips · Jul 22, 2017

I like the Watchco SM300. You get vintage style with in a mostly brand new watch. There's now enough of a gap in pricing between these and the real deal vintage that Watchco seems like an attractive daily wear. I have a '67 165.024, but I still think about adding a Watchco to the collection.

jsg1976 · Jul 23, 2017

Apologies for the ignorance here, but can someone explain exactly what a watchco SM300 is? Is Watchco like the Omega version of Bamford for Rolexes?

OWa · Jul 23, 2017

J jsg1976
Apologies for the ignorance here, but can someone explain exactly what a watchco SM300 is? Is Watchco like the Omega version of Bamford for Rolexes?

WatchCo use to be an Australian company that builds Seamaster 300 watches from original omega service replacement parts. The only vintage part in those is the movement. The rest is new stock.

jsg1976 · Jul 23, 2017

OWa
WatchCo use to be an Australian company that builds Seamaster 300 watches from original omega service replacement parts. The only vintage part in those is the movement. The rest is new stock.

Thanks for the explanation! Much obliged *tips hat*

Matt87 · Jul 23, 2017

Albe100
I may get shot for saying this, but have you looked at the new 300M Seamaster Coaxial? It has that vintage flair, broad arrow, sandwich dial feel, greet bezel. It's a mix between this one and the original aesthetically .IMO. You can get one from the forum for a reasonable price, it has a new movement. Best of both worlds!

Yes i have, but it wears a little bit too big on my 17cm wrist!! Anyway I personally consider it a great watch!!

msp1518 · Jul 23, 2017

Pricing on these was at one time attractive. But once Omega caught on they jacked the prices on parts up to ludicrous levels. I got in at the tail end when they were stupid expensive (as they are now). How I wish I had known about them many years ago. i would have built a no date and a date. I know guys who spent no more than $1500 on everything, including assembly. Now themz was the days! 🙁

Aceldama · Jul 23, 2017

Have one. Had it for over a year. Rock solid. Not a bog fan of the reissue. Different vibe IMO.

w.finkenstaedt · Jul 23, 2017

Aceldama
Have one. Had it for over a year. Rock solid. Not a bog fan of the reissue. Different vibe IMO.

The reissue is a reissue of gen 1, not gen 2 (which the WatchCo is). Straight lugs vs lyre, broad arrow hands vs sword, full graduated bezel vs just 5 min indexes are just some of the differences.

I don't know that we'll ever see a 165.024 reissue just because the PO is so close, design-wise. Maybe a LE PO?

padders · Jul 23, 2017

I think we already did to a certain extent, the 2254. This is the problem with Omega constantly mining their past, you run out of options eventually. As you say, the original PO, the MC 300m and now the '57 reissue SM are all copies of the '57 diver design, the Watchco is the gen 2 design made of NOS parts (and some recycled bits)

w.finkenstaedt · Jul 23, 2017

padders
I think we already did to a certain extent, the 2254.

Damn, color me disappointed then. I've owned every variation trying to love it and I just never could. Guess I'll have to be happy with my WatchCo.

Edit: and I mean EVERY variation...

Even did a PO...

Omega SeaMaster 300 Watchco: your thoughts about it?

KJH666

BlackTalon

Ludi

KJH666

BlackTalon

OWa

WatchVaultNYC

w.finkenstaedt

noelekal

KJH666

demchocholips

jsg1976

OWa

jsg1976

Matt87

msp1518

Aceldama

w.finkenstaedt

padders

w.finkenstaedt

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