The planet ocean for me. Never liked the shape of the bezel on the diver.

 

Has the planet ocean been polished? Edges look a bit dull.

 

Apparently only worn 3/4 times with 2020 stamped on warranty card.

 

Must be the photo quality in that case.

 

The PO if your wrist can accommodate such heft! SM300 is overall unimpressive tbh - after having hands-on time with two different colours (bracelet and strap), I wouldn't buy it again.

 

Diver for me - but then i am biased, I have the same watch and it is the most comfortable to wear amongst my collection.

 

have fun
kfw

 

I sold this very model PO last year and got the diver. Just can't help but feel like I downgraded?

 

Aren’t they both divers?
The 300 for me, wore one for years, in fact I rarely took it off, it got washed in the shower when I did

 

Yeah both are - but someone above referred to the 300 as the diver and the other as a PO - but you are right I mean the SMP 300m Diver

 

SMP300 for me. The PO is a great watch but a little too thick for my liking.

 

PO for me. A truly lovely watch to wear.

 

I'm an anti-helium valver, so I wouldn't buy either one. Pity for me that it bugs me so much, because both are good looking watches.

 

SMP for me, unless it was the newer 8900 based PO in which case it would be even - I dislike the end pieces on the older models.

 

Smp for me, po is too big for my wrist.

 

Question is, which one do YOU want? Strangers on a forum can't answer that. What typically happens when I narrow my selection to 2, then pick just 1, I wonder what the other model would be like and regret my decision. Lately, I've been able to whittle it to 1 and roll with that....Lot simpler.

 

I would choose the Planet Ocean. IMO, 42mm was the perfect case dimension for that design, and the proportions of the 42mm's case, dial, hands, are perfect. There's too much dial space space on the current-generation 43.5mm PO. Plus, many find the continuous bezel ring on the 42mm preferable to the serrated bezel ring of the 43.5. These will get harder & harder to find in like-new conditions.

For the current generation SM 300: a couple show-stoppers for me are:

1) Re-shaped HE valve. The new one looks like a Reese' peanut butter cup. Much prefer the older HE shape.

2) 8800 movement's rotor noise. I'll always opt for the option with a silent rotor.

 

You probably cannot go wrong here but it depends how they wear and feel on your wrist. Personally, I would choose the SMP as it is a little bit more refined I would say. The PO is a fantastic watch but would not be my only one. For a one-watch collection I would consider the Aqua Terra (I own one and it does everything, anywhere). When it comes to divers, I would probably consider the SM300 because of the size and the overall aesthetic. Good luck with your decision!

 

SMP Diver 300. Its really very simple, it has more pleasing aesthetics and dimensions (to my eyes). Its definitely more accomplished and iconic because of Bond connection (especially to those who grew up in the 90s, you can love or hate that connection). It wears nicer, cant be dressed up and down. Omega has done such a good job with it, that it ate away all of its PO business IMHO.

Like others have noted, the older 42mm POs were perfect proportions. The new ones seem to have a bezel/dial ratio that seems a bit off. Like a croc's eye. Very similar to 216570 Explorer II and Sub41. The new 44mm models are also chunkier. IMHO PO is not unique enough amongst a myriad of similar looking divers from a dozen or so companies.

Omega had the perfect PO when they made the 42mm LM LE. That style/fnish needs to comeback.