Hey All,

I'm looking to add a dive watch to the roster... and wondered if I could get a little practical advice from those in the know?

I'm quite keen on the Seamster f300 120m - but would like the strap version rather than the bracelet... and these seem to be rather thin on the ground.

I have a budget of £1250, and would like something that's waterproof enough to snorkel with, but not precious enough to worry about too much.

Does anyone have any other suggestions... really just keen for the wider view as I've got a bit blinkered looking at f300's!

 

I wouldn't go swimming with a vintage watch, water-resistance ratings from 40+ years ago aren't really relevant today. With your budget you could get yourself a fairly decent modern diver - a Tudor Black Bay or Pelagos on the secondary market goes for about your budget. Otherwise, save your money and get yourself a modern quartz watch to snorkel with, and spend the rest on something nice to wear the rest of the time

 

Water resistant watches are water resistant only until they leak! And there is never any forewarning. How is it that there seems to be an impression that all you have to do is mark a watch as water resistant, and that magically means it will be water resistant forever? Especially with battery powered watches like the f300 which needs a cell every 18 months or so! Every time the cell is replaced, the watch should be water resistance tested, and maintenance such as crystal, gasket, crown, etc should be attended to at that time. Buy a mechanical Seiko diver, wear it until it leaks, turf it, and buy another. And use the f300 for best wear, if you really feel you must have one.

 

I have a few of the f300 divers but do not wear them in the water. Although these watches were designed for diving, after so many years it is likely the seals need replacement, etc.



Personally, when I dive I would rather go with a reliable and relatively inexpensive watch. My personal favorite is the Helson Sharkmaster 1000m, which bear a close resemblance to the Omega 1000M

 

I'd say vintage and diving/snorkeling is not a good mix - that's, if you want a dry but well-oiled movement...

 

I can see why some people might think that... but I would be sending it for a service/reseal at STS before going anywhere near water!

I do like the idea of something more modern and maybe a little cheaper...

 

Get a new Seamaster 300 166.0324. I've gone diving with mine several times. Vintage looks but nothing that's irreplaceable if something goes wrong.

An f300 would be rather expensive to fix if it got wet.

 

Here's my concept of your idea..

https://omegaforums.net/threads/wruw-today.567/page-1289#post-289846

 

I think that might be a touch over the £1250 budget ;-)

 

Buy a nicely discounted Orient Mako or Ray on a rubber strap. You'll never worry what happens to it

 

I guess I am a bit different in my approach. I have 2 vtg Subs and a Sea Dweller, and after I have new seals and gaskets, and pressure test, I have no issue wearing swimming, snorkeling, and diving if I did that.

I don't know why a vintage Omega would be any different.

If the crown, seals and gaskets pass the pressure test, then wear it as a new watch.

 

Depends on the conditions the watch must endure when in water. A static test at a given depth might indicate a watch is water resistant, but after a round of water polo at the same depth? Your watch! Your choice! This is one topic in which there are no winners. But the losers don't realize they just lost the argument until after their watch leaks!

 

Not a good idea to swim with a vintage.

 

To be fair you can't beat a G Shock for what you want even professional divers use them. You could even get a computerised pro dive watch for about £300. Check out www.SimplyScuba.com

 

Something tells me he's not gonna want a G-Shock if he's considering wearing a vintage watch while snorkeling
Nobody wants a G-Shock

 

Like @alam my version of what you are after ( at half your budget and limited to 1888 with a register of nearly all watches and which country they are in - even has stolen numbers listed)

http://www.watchlinks.net/ds3swe.htm




Or ( I think @JimInOz pressure tested my Seiko, but hasn't leaked yet )

 

Now, that's a Seiko with some character!!!

 

If I can find a Rolex sub in similar condition I would be onto it in a flash.

 

Vostock Amphibian! 200m water resist and it costs less than a hundred bucks.

Tom

 

I really like that... on a Zula... a little worn...

And there's one on German eBay. ;-)

Will be watching with interest...