Omega Seamaster No Time To Die (NTTD) Dial Readability

[fskywalker]

Am considering the purchase of a Seamaster NTTD on the Milanese bracelet if can find one used for a reasonable price ($6K) and have found across different watch reviews and threads some concerns with the dial readability on different light conditions. I actually use my watches to keep time (know some wear them just as a jewelry item 😲 ) so time readability is somewhat important for me.

Have asked on some NTTD threads here in OF about it and have received some positive and negative feedback on it. Since could not find a specific thread on the subject decided to create this one to get from current, as well as from past owners, their overall opinion on this subject. Thanks in advance 😀

Edited: Aug 15, 2024

 

[abrod520]

I pre-ordered one cause I was so excited there was finally a no-date, titanium Seamaster 300M and I thought it looked so damn cool.

Lasted less than a week with me before I traded it out of disgust. Couldn't see the damn thing!

Ultimately realized that the matte dial and brushed hardware, coupled with the drab colors, look so cool in a stealthy way but can't overcome the ridiculously reflective crystal. I ended up with the standard black 300M and honestly think the ceramic dial is so much cooler, and the date is barely noticeable anyway.

Will post photos when I dig them out of my phone

 

[abrod520]

 

[arno]

Is it specific to this model ?
I mean, in some angel and some light condition, any watch will reflect what's in your back, right ?

 

[ErichPryde]

arno

Is it specific to this model ?
I mean, in some angel and some light condition, any watch will reflect what's in your back, right ?

Yes, but most watches have either highly polished hands which also reflect a lot of light and are visible, or relatively large, white luminous material surfaces that are visible. This watch has neither of those things; it really should have had sword hands, which would have been a lot more true to the military heritage and much more visible, but that would have been too big of a design change.

Instead, what you have is a watch that is matte/dark everywhere except for the crystal, which means that in the right lighting conditions it can be irritating to see the face of the watch. If visibility under any condition is important, this might be a deal breaker

 

[abrod520]

arno

Is it specific to this model ?
I mean, in some angel and some light condition, any watch will reflect what's in your back, right ?

This crystal is also different from the regular 300M lineup crystal. It's more domed, and only has anti-reflective coating on the inside. Standard is flatter and has double AR coating.

ErichPryde

If visibility under any condition is important, this might be a deal breaker

This was not visible under most conditions which certainly was a deal breaker. If I were out for a walk or on a drive, I'd have to move my arm and wrist around a bunch to be able to get a good look at the time. For someone who prizes readability, it just sucked

 

[gbesq]

abrod520

This crystal is also different from the regular 300M lineup crystal. It's more domed, and only has anti-reflective coating on the inside. Standard is flatter and has double AR coating.

The crystal isn’t the problem. The Seamaster 300 Heritage has a similarly domed crystal with AR only on the inside, but it also has highly polished rhodium plated hands that are relatively large and angled to catch the light as well as relatively bright sandy colored lume that also stands out because the markers are recessed into the sandwich dial. The NTTD has none of that.

Edited: Jul 26, 2024

 

[ErichPryde]

abrod520

This crystal is also different from the regular 300M lineup crystal. It's more domed, and only has anti-reflective coating on the inside. Standard is flatter and has double AR coating.

The dome isn't the issue here- both domes and flat crystals can generate reflections (they just do it slightly differently)- but in any case where you have a clear reflection like the image of the building you have posted above, the reflection is more or less being reflected right towards your eyes. I can center irritating reflections on both my SS speedy and my SM300, but in both cases they are still highly legible (either because of reflective hands or the all white hands-- and in the case of the reflective rhodium hands, they're wildly visible because of how reflective they are). Neither watch has outer AR.

The primary issue with the NTTD is that the hands just really are not that visible- so even rotating the watch to remove the reflection from your direct line of sight only makes it slightly better.

 

[abrod520]

ErichPryde

The dome isn't the issue here- both domes and flat crystals can generate reflections (they just do it slightly differently)- but in any case where you have a clear reflection like the image of the building you have posted above, the reflection is more or less being reflected right towards your eyes. I can center irritating reflections on both my SS speedy and my SM300, but in both cases they are still highly legible (either because of reflective hands or the all white hands-- and in the case of the reflective rhodium hands, they're wildly visible because of how reflective they are). Neither watch has outer AR.

The primary issue with the NTTD is that the hands just really are not that visible- so even rotating the watch to remove the reflection from your direct line of sight only makes it slightly better.

Yeah that’s absolutely true but the crystal was certainly among the more reflective I’ve ever worn

 

[ErichPryde]

abrod520

Yeah that’s absolutely true but the crystal was certainly among the more reflective I’ve ever worn

The Dome crystals on the Heritage also generate a lot of reflections, especially around the corners where the doming starts- but it is fairly pleasing and doesn't impact legibility. Rolex uses no AR and flat crystals to generate flashes of light from reflections that some people also find pleasing. Different strokes for different folks... same idea.

I don't really want this to become a no time to die bashing thread but this is definitely a modern Omega watch that leaves me scratching my head. The British military issued watches with broad arrow/crow's foot markings I've seen are mostly 165.024s, sometimes the later big triangle version but not always. Black dials with what would have been huge surfaces of white luminous material very high legibility and relatively low metallic refraction.

I realize Omega essentially went with a color palette decision here, but I can't imagine approving this sort of watch for service.

 

[eldiano84]

I just got the Bond 60 and I like this iteration of the Bond design as seen in the NTTD, however I never liked the brown/patina colors of the NTTD. One of the major things I noticed when I sat in my car after purchasing is the complete opposite of what you mentioned. The hands were chrome bright and I questioned myself if my other 300m’s were as vibrant as this one but maybe it’s the dome that enhances their sheen IMHO. I’m a sucker for the ceramic blue and the wave dial but the matte blue on the bezel and face make the chrome stick out more I think.

 

[ErichPryde]

E eldiano84

I just got the Bond 60 and I like this iteration of the Bond design as seen in the NTTD, however I never liked the brown/patina colors of the NTTD. One of the major things I noticed when I sat in my car after purchasing is the complete opposite of what you mentioned. The hands were chrome bright and I questioned myself if my other 300m’s were as vibrant as this one but maybe it’s the dome that enhances their sheen IMHO. I’m a sucker for the ceramic blue and the wave dial but the matte blue on the bezel and face make the chrome stick out more I think.

The bond 60th is a great example of a commemorative watch done right. It is the only modern SMP I would even consider wearing. The only thing I feel is a detraction is the display case back, which adds unnecessarily to the height. I know a lot of people like it, but I would have been much happier with a steel engraving.

Great watch and congratulations. It's more likely that the lack of external anti-reflective coating is what causes the hands to look brighter if anything.

 

[eldiano84]

ErichPryde

The bond 60th is a great example of a commemorative watch done right. It is the only modern SMP I would even consider wearing. The only thing I feel is a detraction is the display case back, which adds unnecessarily to the height. I know a lot of people like it, but I would have been much happier with a steel engraving.

Great watch and congratulations. It's more likely that the lack of external anti-reflective coating is what causes the hands to look brighter if anything.

I’m actually curious if the screws are functional but I don’t feel that display case back it distracts itself from the watch, I just realized the black and white disc slowly spins and auto animates bond walking to shoot. Either way I used polywatch on my other 300m that had scratches and I feel it’s similar to the Bond 60th in sheen. Honestly, the first thing I noticed when I got back in my car from the boutique was how vibrant the minute and hour hands were super chrome reflective with the sunlight,

Edited: Jul 28, 2024

 

[Steerpike999]

my feedback is, depends on your eye-site
I'm north of 50 and I have trouble telling the time in low light
My son who is mid 20s, no problem
I've owned the NTTD for a few years and still enjoy wearing it

Edited: Jul 28, 2024

 

[fskywalker]

I'm leaning towards buying one as it seems some of the concerns with reflections are shared by other non AR outside coated Seamasters / Planet Oceans etc. Thanks all for the feedback 😀

Edited: Aug 15, 2024

 

[abrod520]

Definitely go try one on and see if it works.

I also forgot my other criticism of the watch, at least when it was new - the package lacked the fun of other special Omegas at the time. For instance, it came in a watch roll with all sorts of pockets and loops for tools and such, but didn't come with any. Contrast to the Speedy Tuesday models especially the Ultraman, not super fun. And for a Bond watch that bothered me.

I also think for the $9k they charge it should come with the NATO strap as well as the bracelet.

But aftermarket prices have me wondering whether I should go try one on at an AD again too lol

 

[fskywalker]

abrod520

Definitely go try one on and see if it works.

I also forgot my other criticism of the watch, at least when it was new - the package lacked the fun of other special Omegas at the time. For instance, it came in a watch roll with all sorts of pockets and loops for tools and such, but didn't come with any. Contrast to the Speedy Tuesday models especially the Ultraman, not super fun. And for a Bond watch that bothered me.

I also think for the $9k they charge it should come with the NATO strap as well as the bracelet.

But aftermarket prices have me wondering whether I should go try one on at an AD again too lol

Definetely not a watch would consider at MSRP of $9K, but at $6K another story 😉

Edited: Aug 3, 2024

 

[abrod520]

fskywalker

Definetely not a watch would consider at MSRP of $9k, but at $6K another story 😉

True true very true

At 9k I have to really like a watch. At 6k I still need to like a watch but I can forgive a few shortcomings if it seems a good value (such as a titanium, no-date Seamaster 300M is IMO)

 

[Ofan]

Who cares about the readability of a luxury watch if it looks great?
I don't!
I have several watches that look fantastic but have poor readability. And I don't care one bit. It was never an argument for me to buy a watch.
If my focus was on good readability, then I would buy a cheap Casio. Maybe a digital one with backlighting. Or I would look at my cell phone.

Edited: Aug 6, 2024

 

[fskywalker]

Ofan

Who cares about the readability of a luxury watch if it looks great?
I don't!
I have several watches that look fantastic but have poor readability. And I don't care one bit. It was never an argument for me to buy a watch.
If my focus was on good readability, then I would buy a cheap Casio. Maybe a digital one with backlighting. Or I would look at my cell phone.

You're right, readability is not the most important aspect on a watch 👍