Watchco Seamaster 300 165.024: Love or Hate?

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bertmuller

·Jun 4, 2026

I guess some love them ,and other hate them but after I stop wearing my 1969 speedmaster straight writing trans,because it is all original ,and in great condition even in the 30 years of having it ,it’s been used it for everything and swimming when I was younger with out any fear of damage ! But

as you get older you started understanding that it needed to stay in good condition so I started wearing my first watchco which I brought from Marcus in 2010 (turn up thought the door wrap in bubble rap in a envelope) needed a service but was good and has been on my wrist most days since then , Then recently I discovered a date version which was available ,Which after some research found that it originally can from Marcus as well , still haven’t worn it. But it will get some wear eventually !
So what do you guys think mesh or 1171. Date or non date ?

 

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GeorgiosK

·Jun 4, 2026

Definitely not a connoisseur, but visually I find the mesh non-date very unique and beautiful!

 

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noelekal

·Jun 4, 2026·Home For Wayward Watches

I'd own it. I'd wear it.

Especially a non-date model.

 

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dsio

·Jun 4, 2026·Ash @ ΩF

I liked my Cal 552 on mesh quite a lot back in the day but I was annoyed by the crown always either being too tight to the point of being annoying to wind when I needed to start or set it, or too loose and not able to pass a pressure test. The seatbelt style buckle on the clasp was also a bit agricultural for my liking though it did seem to work well enough.

They were super good value at the time, I think I paid about $2k or less for mine, but as the prices crept up, and the Cal 8400 Seamaster 300 prices dropped a bit, it became a bit of a tough choice, the 165.024 design is very unique and different, the plexiglass and plastic bezel are awesome, but for about the same price the modern SM300 is pretty amazing too

 

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padders

·Jun 4, 2026·Oooo subtitles!

Those look nice examples for sure but you asked the question so.., I’m on the hate side of the fence. Not because of the look, they look great but because of the can of worms the existence of Watchcos opened. It is my belief we wouldn’t have the parts availability restrictions and high parts prices we have today if it wasn’t for these and other put togethers like them. Many of which don’t meet the quality standards you’d expect of a modern watch as noted above. I save my real loathing for the fakes but most noobs can’t tell the difference between an all original SM300, a Watchco or a fake so it muddies the water.

Of the 2 above, Yep I’m no date too.

Edited: Jun 5, 2026

 

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JimInOz

·Jun 4, 2026·Melbourne Australia

I liked my 300 no date on Omega mesh (same as the OPs).
It was my companion on many adventures.

Paid less than AUD$2k for it, and in a moment of madness, I sold it for much much more.
I regret doing that now, but happy for the new buyer.

 

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Fallout Boy

·Jun 5, 2026

"asian "mesh on my vintage:

I would wear a watchco, but no date.

 

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Ron_W

·Jun 5, 2026

I like the date version best on a 1171 or a nylon/fabric strap. Great look ! I am not against them as Omega was happy selling the parts but like @padders said not all were build true to specs so a lot of rubbish out there maybe.
Prices went crazy a few years back but one sold recently on a local platform for € 3200,- which is still a lot compared to the SM 300 2264.50 i agree with @dsio

 

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bertmuller

·Jun 5, 2026

JimInOz

I liked my 300 no date on Omega mesh (same as the OPs).
It was my companion on many adventures.

Paid less than AUD$2k for it, and in a moment of madness, I sold it for much much more.
I regret doing that now, but happy for the new buyer.

Unfortunately we all had moments of madness , I don’t think I would ever let the non date and like you say I payed £ 1400 and for it all them years ago and it was a 40 birthday present too my self

 

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duc

·Jun 5, 2026

noelekal

I'd own it. I'd wear it.

Especially a non-date model.

+1

 

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DON

·Jun 5, 2026

I bought a bezel and a week later bought a case off them. Back around 2002. Cheap.

Built and sold as either most of my watches.

Nice watches. Should have kept one. Hell. Should have kept a load of them 😢

 

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Fallout Boy

·Jun 5, 2026

Me2: got offers for 1700€ in 2019... with bracelet. damn.

 

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Felix_La_PuBelle

·Jun 5, 2026·Sometimes I’m wrong. Usually.

I was recently musing about the Mitsukoshi the other day and once I did some back of the envelope math about the prospect of ever owing one, the rational side of my brain took over and said it would likely only ever be a MOD-sukoshi. I suppose I can’t be too critical of watchco should I ever need to scratch that itch.

 

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pkaye6

·Jun 5, 2026

I would gladly own and give wrist time to any Legit SM300, watchco, service parts update or original! After all, for me, it's the pleasure of wearing and enjoying my watches. I don't acquire for investment.

 

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Donerix

·Jun 15, 2026

Love mine:

 

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Subspecies

·Jun 16, 2026

Donerix

Love mine:

I like that, has it been relumed?

 

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hen

·Jun 16, 2026

Love the looks. If the parts were avaliable at reasonable prices, my 565 Geneve would be missing its movement.

Hate the scams and uncertainties it creates around the originals.

 

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pascs

·Jun 16, 2026

I gifted my 552 Watchco to my son for his wedding present. It was one of the first Omegas I bought and a watch that I really loved. It has gone to a good home and is worn regularly by my son. It was the watch which probably got me started on the slippy slope of buying multiple Omega watches 😁

 

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Donerix

·Jun 16, 2026

Subspecies

I like that, has it been relumed?

It was built by Lewis Watch Co and came with the vintage lume

 

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Jakeys

·Jun 16, 2026

I think they're great, but overvalued. If you could still pick them up for sub 5k AUD, I'd probably have bought one by now.

Also, it was very shady to be making them and I was amazed LWC didn't see it coming getting blacklisted by Omega for essentially using their own parts department to make replicas of their watches and sell them on for profit.