Omega SM300 165.024 Size Compared to Speedy

Kirk B · Mar 4, 2022

I have been considering adding a vintage or Watchco Omega Seamaster 300 165.024 to my collection. Like with many watches these days I would be buying this off the Internet, sight unseen, never seen one in the flesh. So I am trying to gauge how the watch might fit on my wrist. I already have an early 2000's Omega Speedy sapphire sandwich and the Seamaster 2254.50. I have tried searching for comparison photos of the SM300 and Speedy side by side or a comparison of the cases, but I have come up short. I believe though that the SM300 and Speedy cases are pretty much the same except for the obvious differences of the pusher holes and accommodation for the different movements. Is it safe to assume that the SM300 would wear the same on my wrist as the Speedy? Maybe wear a little smaller as the bigger dive bezel certainly makes the dial smaller, which will visually make the watch appear smaller? To be honest (and I know I am probably the minority here) I am not a huge fan of how the Speedy or 2254 wear (39 to 40mm is more of my sweet spot). So I am thinking that I won't like the 165.024 either and don't want to make an expensive mistake in buying a watch that doesn't fit me (been there, flipped that). Thanks!

JwRosenthal · Mar 4, 2022

Welcome Kirk. Here they are side by side

The asymmetrical case on the speedy measures larger but they are both 40mm across the bezel. As you suspect,the speedy tends to wear large due to the surface area of the dial and small bezel and the 300 wears smaller. I personally feel like the speedy wears like a dinner plate and the 300 is pretty much perfect, the benefit of the 300 compared to most modern divers is that it’s slim in comparison to most and sits low on the wrist,

SkunkPrince · Mar 4, 2022

K Kirk B
I have been considering adding a vintage or Watchco Omega Seamaster 300 165.024 to my collection. Like with many watches these days I would be buying this off the Internet, sight unseen, never seen one in the flesh.

I'd certainly encourage you to go WatchCo because less expensive, more useable, and you can get a bracelet for it. I like mine a lot; I wear it with the Apollo 11 50th anniversary bracelet, which fits quite well and looks fabulous.

Kirk B · Mar 4, 2022

JwRosenthal
The asymmetrical case on the speedy measures larger but they are both 40mm across the bezel. As you suspect,the speedy tends to wear large due to the surface area of the dial and small bezel and the 300 wears smaller. I personally feel like the speedy wears like a dinner plate and the 300 is pretty much perfect, the benefit of the 300 compared to most modern divers is that it’s slim in comparison to most and sits low on the wrist,

Thank you Sir for the great pictures! It's really appreciated and tells me exactly what I wanted to know.

Shabbaz · Mar 5, 2022

And some wrist shots... 😁

hoipolloi · Mar 6, 2022

A Watchco 300, a 165.024 or a Speedie all look great on your wrists.

Kirk B · Mar 6, 2022

Well... look at what I found on Ebay. For $27,000 you can own both a Seamaster and Speedmaster. The side by side photos are good though!

JwRosenthal · Mar 6, 2022

It really shows how proportions can fool the eye.

Kirk B · Mar 6, 2022

Thanks to everyone who responded and helped me out here. It's greatly appreciated. I know I am new to this site, but I have been a huge watch enthusiast for a number of years. I just don't know my Omegas too well, I only own two. I decided that I think the SM300 will look good on my wrist and there are just so many positives in my mind to this design that I didn't want to miss out on a nice "Watchco" version that was available. So I bit the bullet and bought this today at a reasonable price.

JwRosenthal · Mar 6, 2022

Well, there ya go! Looks like James Hyman did the relume- that’s a nice touch.

Congrats on your new watch and welcome to the sickness.

jaguar11 · Mar 7, 2022

That looks so nice. One that you can wear and enjoy to the max!!!!

JwRosenthal · Mar 7, 2022

jaguar11
That looks so nice. One that you can wear and enjoy to the max!!!!

We always seemed to think of the Watchco’s as the semi-disposable 300 compared to the vintage ones, but they are becoming collectible in themselves these days and not going for pocket change anymore.

jaguar11 · Mar 7, 2022

JwRosenthal
We always seemed to think of the Watchco’s as the semi-disposable 300 compared to the vintage ones, but they are becoming collectible in themselves these days and not going for pocket change anymore.

I cannot disagree with what you say but the point of any watch is to wear and enjoy. The example being an essentially a new watch with which goes perhaps a lesser degree recalcitrance to replace parts if it becomes damaged. Originality is not such a huge issue so perhaps it may be a little more wearable to some.

Kirk B · Mar 7, 2022

jaguar11
I cannot disagree with what you say but the point of any watch is to wear and enjoy. The example being an essentially a new watch with which goes perhaps a lesser degree recalcitrance to replace parts if it becomes damaged. Originality is not such a huge issue so perhaps it may be a little more wearable to some.

I think you nailed it. I have an old Rolex Explorer 1016 where it would cost me $5,000 to replace the dial if it became water damaged. I baby that watch. I also have a Rolex 16800 Sub with a $250 refurbished dial that I installed. I don't worry about that watch and wear the snot out of it, really enjoying it.

In my mind the Watchco SM300 is in the same boat as that Sub, which was a big driver to buying it over vintage. It's less "precious", so I can wear it and enjoy it and if I have to replace the dial or crystal or hands I don't really care.

kingsrider · Mar 7, 2022

I really like my Watchco. A very reasonable alternative to a Submariner. I'm glad I bought mine when I did. I knew they would rise as parts became problematic.

Kirk B · Mar 7, 2022

kingsrider
I really like my Watchco. A very reasonable alternative to a Submariner. I'm glad I bought mine when I did. I knew they would rise as parts became problematic.

Right, that is part of what drove me to get one now. I started looking at Watchco 2 years ago when they were $3K. Prices are going up though! Now it seems like $4K+ is the new norm. The best time to buy is yesterday. The second best time to buy is today.

kingsrider · Mar 7, 2022

K Kirk B
Right, that is part of what drove me to get one now. I started looking at Watchco 2 years ago when they were $3K. Prices are going up though! Now it seems like $4K+ is the new norm. The best time to buy is yesterday. The second best time to buy is today.

I bought my no-date with a 1170 for $2700 from a fellow member. Very fortunate.

SkunkPrince · Mar 7, 2022

I don't feel so bad buying mine for $4K as it had an alleged NOS movement in it. At its first service, watchmaker said ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ so who knows? But with the Apollo 11 50th flatlink on it, it's certainly one of my favorites.

Sa Calobra · Mar 7, 2022

JwRosenthal
Welcome Kirk. Here they are side by side

The asymmetrical case on the speedy measures larger but they are both 40mm across the bezel. As you suspect,the speedy tends to wear large due to the surface area of the dial and small bezel and the 300 wears smaller. I personally feel like the speedy wears like a dinner plate and the 300 is pretty much perfect, the benefit of the 300 compared to most modern divers is that it’s slim in comparison to most and sits low on the wrist,

Dinner plate! Love the analogy.

xantiagib · Mar 29, 2022

I don't have a picture next to a speedy but here is my watcho SM300 next to a friend's '67 5513:

Omega SM300 165.024 Size Compared to Speedy

Kirk B

JwRosenthal

SkunkPrince

Kirk B

Shabbaz

hoipolloi

Kirk B

JwRosenthal

Kirk B

JwRosenthal

jaguar11

JwRosenthal

jaguar11

Kirk B

kingsrider

Kirk B

kingsrider

SkunkPrince

Sa Calobra

xantiagib

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