Seamaster 300 buying guide

N NickF

Hi First post
Looking to buy a sea master 300 blue face, any models better than others and any other advice gratefully received.
Thank you

vitriol

You mean older like; 2531.80, 2220.80 or 212.30.41.20.03.001 (aka Blue SMPc) ?

N NickF

2541.80.00

vitriol

2541.80.00 is a reference number of the specific model, so it is all easy.

2541.80.00 was the first watch from Professional Diver 300M line-up, it was in production from 1993 till 2005, when was replaced by the 2221.80.00.
Between 1993-1997 luminosity was tritium, and later they moved to superluminowa. By now, tritium's luminosity may be pretty much dead but chances are tritium might have aged into a pretty sweet pumpkin colour, though it is very hard to find a watch where hands and dial have aged into the same colour. Usually hands have slightly different shade than hour markers or bezel pip.
Powered by quartz 1538 calibre, which is one of these ETA based movement, ETA 255.461 in this case. No HQA, no Thermocompensation nor any other fancy features, unless we consider jumping hour hand as the feature..
Blue wavy dial, 41mm steel case and one bracelet 1503-825, pin&collar also called as "bond bracelet". Watch itselt is not a part of Omega James Bond collection, but in 1995 Pierce Brosnan wore this model in GoldenEye movie. Quartz 2541 was also first Seamster worn on-screen by James Bond.
12 years was a pretty long production run. You can find this watch equipped with a various sets of Omega cards and various boxes, so there is no point in deepening it without knowing a particular watch in a offer.
Those links should help you to see how much they are going for.
https://watchcharts.com/watch/705/omega-seamaster-300m-quartz-2541-80
https://www.chrono24.com/info/valuation.htm

N NickF

Thank you very informative, so is the later lume better?

vitriol

It all depends on what we define as <better>.
Later lume, in a day light will have white-light-green colour and at night it will glow strong green - it is fully functional lume.
Tritium will have this patina look, but at night it will glow 5-10 minutes or something like that, so this lume is hardly functional.
Me thinks that tritium lume is rarer, cooler and more collectible, but purchasing a decent watch will take you some time.