When manually setting the time, I hear a clicking noise. Is this normal on a seamaster 300 smp?

Canuck

I understand that the calibre 8800 has a conventional time setting function, while the 8900 has a “jumping” hour hand. When setting the hour hand on a calibre 8900, it is possible you may detect a sound. Are you sure yours is a calibre 8800? Check with a boutique or AD to see if there is something wrong.

In addition, while the calibre 8800 has an instantaneous date change (at midnight), read the following:

Although the quickset date is a convenient feature, it's generally recommended to avoid adjusting the date within a few hours of midnight (e.g., between 9 PM and 3 AM) to prevent potential damage to the date mechanism, as suggested by www.vintagemasters.eu.

This may have something to do with what you are hearing.