SMP300M Stainless or Ceramic?

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ATL Jack

·Nov 19, 2021

My next watch will be one of these, but I am vacillating between to two. I've tried them both on, the 43.5 ceramic version isnt too big, I actually think it wears smaller than its dimensions. I do like the pop of red in the stainless version, but overall I prefer dial of the ceramic, its more uniform and symmetrical. The lack of date does not bother me It bothers me that the ceramic version doesnt have bracelet and it kills me that it doesnt have a deployant clasp. I've never owned a ceramic case, I am not concerned about shattering it but I do wonder if ceramic cases are a fad and do not have staying power. I am also not thrilled with the added cost of the ceramic case. I think my heart is telling me ceramic but my head might be voting for the stainless case.

Which one did you choose and why?

I dont have wrist shots, no one wants to look at my hair arms. The following were picked from the web:

 

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dsio

·Nov 19, 2021·Ash @ ΩF

One factor if its your daily wearer long term is that if you accidentally smack your steel Seamaster Pro into a stone bench top or drop it, it’ll take a ding and a watchmaker can deal with that for you while the ceramic will crack and need a replacement case which is almost a write off of the watch. I have owned ceramics including an Apollo 8 Darkside with black ceramic case and I was always a but more cautious about the ceramic for that reason.

 

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dsio

·Nov 19, 2021·Ash @ ΩF

BTW I’ll also mention, I genuinely believe that the steel Seamater Pro 300M in either steel or black is the best value daily wear watch in Omega’s entire lineup. Each generation of it since 1993 has been great and has improved upon its predecessor in what was already a great and well loved watch to begin with. You can wear this in steel every day, not worry about it, and it will look excellent in all circumstances and stand up to abuse exceptionally well until due for its first service then come back perfect again, and while you expect that of all watches, hardly any are as comfortable, durable, and resistant to looking “ratty” or beat up.

 

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fendushi

·Nov 19, 2021

I choose the steel.

Size, price, versatility, date complication and I prefer the look overall of the steel compared to the ceramic. I love the red accents.

And I actually like the look of the bracelet in my wrist.

If you heart says the ceramic, then thats what you should go for. You will be thinking about it all the time and it will haunt you in your dreams until you have it on your wrist.

 

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funkright

·Nov 19, 2021

Steel version, 7 days out of 7... If only they made the steel version in Titanium I'd buy that in a second. As I need a date window, it's an OCD thing, the ceramic isn't an option for me; plus I love the weight and wearability of Titanium.

 

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THFan346

·Nov 19, 2021

Are you kidding me? This is a carbon copy of the exact same predicament I was in. Glad I am not alone in this!

Absolutely love the Ceramic one, with the Titanium too, but the rubber strap was useless for me. I absolutely love the steel bracelet though, so it was a no brainer to grab the stainless version and pocket the change.

Had it for just over a month and it’s epic!

The silver / grey and blue steel one is also extremely nice in person. Way better than the photos show it.

EDIT: As @fendushi says, it will haunt you if you choose for the wrongs reasons. I still doubt my decision, but then look at the bracelet and see the fit and it goes away. lol

Edited: Nov 19, 2021

 

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ama98

·Nov 20, 2021

Go with the steel version.

 

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SAB380

·Nov 20, 2021

An Omega Boutique can change the clasp for you on the rubber strap to their deployant clasp if you prefer that. I know this because the dude serving me a couple of weeks ago in one just offered that information without me enquiring. I was trying on the various Seamaster options and as I picked up a rubber strap version he just said it.

In terms of which one to buy - go the ceramic one.
You only live once, go crazy.

 

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Mac-427

·Nov 20, 2021

As a recovering collector who wears his 300M 24/7, I'd suggest steel as I think the ceramic 300M is somewhat a novelty. So, it really depends the use of the watch of the watch. In my mind, the ceramic, though beautiful, would not be an every day, all day watch while the stainless version would be.

 

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Tim Plains

·Nov 20, 2021

The ceramic is a bit too monochrome for me. It's not much but the red touches on the steel really pop.
No wrong choice there.

 

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ATL Jack

·Nov 20, 2021

S SAB380

An Omega Boutique can change the clasp for you on the rubber strap to their deployant clasp if you prefer that.

Good to know, thanks.

 

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THFan346

·Nov 20, 2021

Tim Plains

The ceramic is a bit too monochrome for me. It's not much but the red touches on the steel really pop.
No wrong choice there.

If we’re talking monochrome…

 

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THFan346

·Nov 20, 2021

S SAB380

In terms of which one to buy - go the ceramic one.
You only live once, go crazy.

On that basis, buy both?

 

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SAB380

·Nov 20, 2021

bpsmith

On that basis, buy both?

Yeah …. I recently bought the more sensible steak black dial instead of the 007 NTTD model….
…. And now I’m going to pull the trigger and buy the 007 model as well.

 

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THFan346

·Nov 20, 2021

S SAB380

Yeah …. I recently bought the more sensible steak black dial instead of the 007 NTTD model….
…. And now I’m going to pull the trigger and buy the 007 model as well.

I was looking to buy a Breitling before settling on the Seamaster. Chuffed with my purchase, but still have the itch for a Breitling, so totally understand.

 

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ATL Jack

·Nov 22, 2021

I had the opportunity to try them both on again this weekend. I walked away clearly favoring the stainless case. I was enamored with the ceramic the first time I wore it, I still love it, but it seems a little too limiting in its versatility. I am going to give it a little more thought before making a final decision, but my preference right now is clear.

One thing about the ceramic that I wish the stainless had is the dial. The ceramic dial has a matte finish and the waves are polished. The way light reflects off the waves is truly stunning. It’s the one aspect that is still making this decision difficult.

Edited: Nov 22, 2021

 

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THFan346

·Nov 22, 2021

A ATL Jack

One thing about the ceramic that I wish the stainless had is the dial. The ceramic dial has a matte finish and the waves are polished. The way light reflects off the waves is truly stunning. It’s the one aspect that is still making this decision difficult.

I have to agree on the waves of the ceramic, along with the way the Titanium hands and indices dance compared to the polished on the stainless.

Outside of the shop, having had my black Stainless for a month now, the light does affect the dial differently when angled against the light. Goes from a darker face with lighter waves to the exact opposite. It’s really nice in fairness, with the subtle brushed and polished elements of the case and bracelet bringing it even more to life.

 

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bama2141

·Nov 22, 2021

I’ll take what appears to be the opposite position and recommend the ceramic. I’ve had mine for a couple of years now, and it’s become almost a daily wear for me - which says a lot since I have way too many Speedmasters and other Seamasters. I wrote my initial observations here:

https://omegaforums.net/threads/observations-on-the-seamaster-pro-ceramic-and-titanium.98623/

If this is your first good watch, or first Seamaster, maybe the steel is a better choice, but if you have several watches it becomes just another black dial steel case riff on the same song. The ceramic looks and feels different. It’s substantially lighter on the wrist, even considering the bigger size.

The ceramic case tends to disappear on the wrist, making the dial and bezel the main attraction. The larger size of the dial just seems less cramped, and the lack of a date window enhances the symmetry. The titanium crowns and bezel ring are also more subdued.

Sure, there’s always the worry about the ceramic. I will say though that the upside is that it will basically always look brand new unless you destroy it. Mine still looks the same as it did when I first took it out of its box. I’d also say that of all my watches, the only one my son wants is this one.

Best wishes on whichever you ultimately select, they’re both great watches.

 

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THFan346

·Nov 22, 2021

Nice review @bama2141. Couldn’t decide between the two when I got mine, my first decent watch, recently.

Your review just confirms that there is no wrong choice. Yours looks epic, but I am equally in awe of the steel one I bought.

For me, it came down to the rubber strap being badly sized for my wrist with smallest hole too tight and next one to loose. Prefer the look of the bracelet personally, so that finalised my choice.

It’s my only watch, other than my Apple Watch, so no issue with multiple steel bracelets here.