SMP 300m - hour marker flaws. Who has them?

POinNY · Aug 2, 2021

Hi, recently bought a new 300m from my AD. And I don’t know why because I knew I would find issues, but I took a loupe to the dial 🤬. Attached is the flaw you’ll see that I’m referring to at the 7oclock marker. You CANNOT see it with the naked eye and I took me a long time to even manage to get a decent picture of it. I noticed it with my 10x loupe first though.

This thread isn’t about seeking warranty work or a replacement. The flaw isn’t bad enough for me to want either of those and a line has to be drawn somewhere regarding what’s reasonable QC and what isn’t. If I can’t see an issue with the naked eye then it suffices for me. I would however like to know if others with the new generation 300m have noticed similar flaws on the hour markers. If so, I’d love to see pics or hear from you.

scapa · Aug 2, 2021

Hmm. Looks like a nano-version of our puppy got under the crystal and tried to retrieve that indice.

I don't think mine has a marker like that, but I bought it from an absolutely OCD watch nerd who threw a few back in the pond before he found one he was happy with.

That said. if I can't see it, it doesn't bother me. And I can see less end these days.

Evitzee · Aug 2, 2021

Omega has standards for QC, @Archer has listed them a few times. If I can't see a flaw my naked eye it's ok for me. I hardly loupe or time my watches, just wear them and enjoy them. Suggestion: put the loupe down and step away.

POinNY · Aug 3, 2021

Yes the loupe is now locked up for good. But the damage (literally) is done.

has anyone else noticed similar flaws with their newer SMP 300s? I’m not referring to misaligned hour markers but rather flaws on the markers themselves

gbesq · Aug 3, 2021

I have the previous generation and, like Mary Poppins, it’s practically perfect in every way. 😀

Canuck · Aug 3, 2021

Take a look at your drinking water under magnification, and you’ll like stop worrying about what you see with your Omega under a loupe!

smpforme · Aug 3, 2021

I did check mine after I got it home. Can't find a single flaw with my 30x loupe. Best watch I've ever had.

abrod520 · Aug 3, 2021

I've got a black-dial 300M that's about 2 months old, nothing wrong with it under a loupe.

Can't say I understand the point of putting a brand new watch under a loupe though, unless there's a noticeable flaw while wearing it and you want a closer look?

Dan S · Aug 3, 2021

If it looks fine to the naked eye, I don't see a problem. Why look under a loupe, that's just asking for trouble.

dsio · Aug 3, 2021

In the normal photo it looks fine to me, its a great looking watch and I wouldn’t let such a thing under a loupe bother me, the watch is very good but it was made by Omega and not Philippe Dufour

smpforme · Aug 3, 2021

abrod520
I've got a black-dial 300M that's about 2 months old, nothing wrong with it under a loupe.

Can't say I understand the point of putting a brand new watch under a loupe though, unless there's a noticeable flaw while wearing it and you want a closer look?

To admire the workmanship. To appreciate the shear beauty of a SMP 300m.

abrod520 · Aug 3, 2021

S smpforme
To admire the workmanship. To appreciate the shear beauty of a SMP 300m.

I suppose so, I just really enjoy wearing it and looking at it on my wrist. The workmanship and beauty are easily appreciated at that level IMO

AntonisCy · Aug 3, 2021

A watch and a loupe. Recipe for disaster.

POinNY · Aug 3, 2021

Yes, you're all correct, a watch and a loupe and someone like me is a bad recipe. And this is acknowledged in the original post. Was really just curious if any newer generation SMP owners noticed similar defects on their hour markers.

Foo2rama · Aug 3, 2021

What’s the QA process. 10 inches and naked eye? Something like that.

Archer · Aug 3, 2021

Foo2rama
What’s the QA process. 10 inches and naked eye? Something like that.

The watch is visually inspected with the naked eye, from a distance of 30 cm, under a light with a brightness of 2000 to 2500 LUX and a colour temperature of 5500 KELVIN.

Foo2rama · Aug 3, 2021

Archer
The watch is visually inspected with the naked eye, from a distance of 30 cm, under a light with a brightness of 2000 to 2500 LUX and a colour temperature of 5500 KELVIN.

11.8 inches 😉 o figures you would come along and give the exact info.

Thanks!

POinNY · Aug 4, 2021

@Archer

Is there a way to differentiate between the original picture where it looks like it's chipped and what water/moisture damage might do? Would signs of moisture or water damage present like the above or would it first start with visible condensation and issues with lume?

Archer · Aug 4, 2021

That doesn't appear to be water damage to me, but it's not exactly a great photo either...

POinNY · Aug 4, 2021

Archer
That doesn't appear to be water damage to me, but it's not exactly a great photo either...

@Archer here ya go... this is the best I can do. Not visible to the naked eye. Looks like a factory "chip" mark but then I started reading up on signs of moisture damage and what that looks like, yada, yada. Does moisture damage typically occur after condensation is seen or it trickle in slowly and just start to corroding pieces on the dial? Most importantly I'm guessing if it was moisture damage then it would be more evident and I wouldn't need a loupe to search for signs of it. No issues at all with the lume

SMP 300m - hour marker flaws. Who has them?

POinNY

scapa

Evitzee

POinNY

gbesq

Canuck

smpforme

abrod520

Dan S

dsio

smpforme

abrod520

AntonisCy

POinNY

Foo2rama

Archer

Foo2rama

POinNY

Archer

POinNY

Similar threads

Regarding hour marker alignment on vintage Omega Seamaster Deville

OK - who has the most patience?

Who has the most moonwatches.

My Omega SMP 300m has a 1438 movement. Has the movement been replaced?