Updates to the 300m Seamaster

[ppierce]

This dive watch is in desperate need of some modern day updating. Any rumors out there? I'm just sandbagging until a new bracelet comes out.

[khalifam]

Originally Posted by ppierce

This dive watch is in desperate need of some modern day updating. Any rumors out there? I'm just sandbagging until a new bracelet comes out.

I'm telling you, I WAS a Rolex snob, I detested the SMP 300 but believe me... I bought my first SMP last year and the bracelet is a million times better than Rolex.

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[RTG]

Don't think it will happen. I wish they would go back to the solid broadsword style hands. I could see owning a 300M Diver on rubber but I don't like skeleton hands.

[Michael1968]

Personally I don’t like the SMP 300 bracelet, I prefer it on rubber

[samson66]

Originally Posted by RTG

Don't think it will happen. I wish they would go back to the solid broadsword style hands. I could see owning a 300M Diver on rubber but I don't like skeleton hands.

My feelings exactly. Loved the watch but hated the skeleton hands. I didn't like the way they looked and found them near impossible to read in low light conditions. If they went with sword style hands I'd buy a new 300M.

[ml91]

Originally Posted by khalifam

I'm telling you, I WAS a Rolex snob, I detested the SMP 300 but believe me... I bought my first SMP last year and the bracelet is a million times better than Rolex.

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I’m in the opposite camp - bought my first sub recently and think the bracelet is significantly better than the SMP

Regardless love them both and still have omega as my fav brand

[Colorado_kid]

Here would be my wish list:

41mm case size
HEV delete
AR coating only on underside of crystal
More aggressive knurling on bezel
Tapered bracelet, similar to new Speedmaster
Sword hands


Bridge the gap better between the retro 300 and the Planet Ocean.


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[jackminny15]

Originally Posted by Michael1968

Personally I don’t like the SMP 300 bracelet, I prefer it on rubber

I agree. Although I hate the pin buckle on the OEM rubber strap that comes with the SMP 300. I swapped mine out for the deployant clasp and now it's perfect. So comfortable.

[alllexandru]

Originally Posted by Colorado_kid

41mm case size - MAYBE
HEV delete - NEVER
AR coating only on underside of crystal - NEVER
More aggressive knurling on bezel
Tapered bracelet, similar to new Speedmaster- MAYBE
Sword hands - MAYBE on a special edition but NOT on regular production

My take on your wish list

[Colorado_kid]

Originally Posted by alllexandru

My take on your wish list

I think you were being generous with the ‘maybes’

I don’t think they’ll do any of the changes. Maybe the tapered bracelet.


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[DJ2020]

I would love to see a 39.5mm or 40mm version with the PO hand set. Heck any improvements in regards to the skeleton hands would get my undivided attention.

But it is a trademark of the SMP300M. Said to say it probably will never happen. But I can't help but think that the sales would triple if they would just change the hand set.

[majidessa]

I sometimes really wonder if some really love the Diver 300 as they always complain about
HEV
Sword Hands
Scase size
bracelet...etc

I might not like one thing about a watch but if it's more than 2, I would look else where
I like the diver 300 the way it is, the only thing that I'm less fond of is the bracelet, however, since Omega gives you the option, I have both bracelet and rubber strap on my white face watch.

[Tylerlsu2008]

FWIW, I bought my first Rolex (Exp II) after already owning a 300 and IWC pilot chrono. I was shocked how flimsy the Rolex bracelet felt when I picked it up at the AD. The seamaster (and IWC) felt light years more solid. Yet I hear from Rolex Only fan boys how “robust” modern oysters are. I can’t image the 4 or 5 series bracelets…

My GMT BLNR on oyster feels the same, but I guess I knew what to expect.

While I like the clean look and taper much better on Rolex oyster, the 300m bracelet feels a lot more solid.

I personally don’t mind the skeleton hands. HEV is fine — can take or leave it, but again, I don’t think it’s that bad considering we find a crystal wart on most Rolexes as a character trait and appealing to many.

In full disclosure, I love both Omega and Rolex, but I think the 300 gets a lot of criticism compared to the halo status around the (IMO) boring black submariner.

[PBJ1925]

Originally Posted by Michael1968

Personally I don’t like the SMP 300 bracelet, I prefer it on rubber

+1

[pedersenkl]

SMP 300M is a fantastic watch, especially at its price point! Hard to beat it.

Hands - The skeleton / sword hands do not bother me at all. They provide character.

HEV - The HEV serves limited function for most. It could be removed or at least evolved to protrude less. In reality, the HEV doesn't bother me at all. I forget it's there most of the time.

Bracelet - Quality and perfectly acceptable. I prefer the SMP 300M push adjustment function on the clasp vs the Rolex Sub glidelock. The push button is just so much easier on the fly vs the glidelock. Bracelet could taper slightly, to make it feel less substantial, but the form factor does match the slightly substantial case (42mm, 13.7mm thickness). With that said, I did order an Omega rubber strap on deployant which should arrive soon.

Case - Quality and excellent workmanship. My only ask would be for it to be .5mm thinner.

Regardless, I'm keeping my SMP 300M. It's a great watch.

[Ravager135]

I know nothing more than any other consumer. If I had to guess, I think Omega is going to go in the direction of the NTTD and Bond 60th Anniversary Seamaster 300M Diver if they make changes at all.

Overall, I like the design. I think the skeleton hands are fine, the HEV does not bother me at all and it part of the design cue. I think the two issues people have with the watch are its thickness and bracelet. The thickness could be reduced further. I have the NTTD and it is perfect in terms of dimension. The bracelet is the main issue. It is robust and feels solid. The lack of taper and thickness of the bracelet are the main issues most have with it. I could see Omega just making the steel mesh bracelet the default bracelet for the Seamaster 300M Diver and leaving the flat link as the default bracelet for the Seamaster 300.

The mesh bracelet isn't perfect and as long as Omega dealers increase the stock to offer three lengths, I think the public will embrace it more readily. The mesh bracelet with the deployant clasp is thick on the underside of the watch, but overall I think it gives a more streamlined delicate look than the current bracelet which is really thick. I think Omega should also always continue to offer the rubber bracelet or even offer a rubber "mesh" similar to what Breitling has released for their SuperOcean Heritage models in the past.

If the Seamaster 300M Diver is going to change anytime soon, those are the changes I would expect. But I'd also expect to see a hefty price increase as well. Omega is almost there in positioning the watch as a true alternative to the Submariner, but even with a price increase, they could still sit a few thousand below the Submariner in terms of cost.

[ppierce]

Originally Posted by Ravager135

I know nothing more than any other consumer. If I had to guess, I think Omega is going to go in the direction of the NTTD and Bond 60th Anniversary Seamaster 300M Diver if they make changes at all.

Overall, I like the design. I think the skeleton hands are fine, the HEV does not bother me at all and it part of the design cue. I think the two issues people have with the watch are its thickness and bracelet. The thickness could be reduced further. I have the NTTD and it is perfect in terms of dimension. The bracelet is the main issue. It is robust and feels solid. The lack of taper and thickness of the bracelet are the main issues most have with it. I could see Omega just making the steel mesh bracelet the default bracelet for the Seamaster 300M Diver and leaving the flat link as the default bracelet for the Seamaster 300.

The mesh bracelet isn't perfect and as long as Omega dealers increase the stock to offer three lengths, I think the public will embrace it more readily. The mesh bracelet with the deployant clasp is thick on the underside of the watch, but overall I think it gives a more streamlined delicate look than the current bracelet which is really thick. I think Omega should also always continue to offer the rubber bracelet or even offer a rubber "mesh" similar to what Breitling has released for their SuperOcean Heritage models in the past.

If the Seamaster 300M Diver is going to change anytime soon, those are the changes I would expect. But I'd also expect to see a hefty price increase as well. Omega is almost there in positioning the watch as a true alternative to the Submariner, but even with a price increase, they could still sit a few thousand below the Submariner in terms of cost.

Dont forget availability as well. Mesh wouldnt do it for me. Just throw it on the PO bracelet and be done with it.

[cglondon]

Love my non wave dial Seamaster! Omega and Rolex fan here!


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[stevestil]

Originally Posted by khalifam

I'm telling you, I WAS a Rolex snob, I detested the SMP 300 but believe me... I bought my first SMP last year and the bracelet is a million times better than Rolex.

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Come on…. I love omega and love Rolex… and own both brands including the SMP300…the Rolex oyster is LIGHTYEARS ahead of the smp300 bracelet….


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[Roddypeepa]

I like mine but it’s one of those watches that photographs fabulously yet on the wrist is a bit meh. The bracelet is extremely well constructed but it’s heavy.

Casual watch only.

My wish list would be:

1 Thinner 12 mm please

2 Taper the bracelet

3 lume the bezel

4 Sword hands

I concede the HEV ain’t going anywhere.


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[ap1]

Originally Posted by Roddypeepa

I like mine but it’s one of those watches that photographs fabulously yet on the wrist is a bit meh. The bracelet is extremely well constructed but it’s heavy.

Casual watch only.

My wish list would be:

1 Thinner 12 mm please

2 Taper the bracelet

3 lume the bezel

4 Sword hands

I concede the HEV ain’t going anywhere.


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I’d back these changes for sure. However, I love looking at the dial of my summer blue and am very pleased with it.

[burnthesehills]

I personally love the bracelet and find it much more comfortable than my Submariner. Not sure what all the fuss is about over a tapering bracelet but it did not affect comfort for me in the slightest. I have both the OEM rubber and steel bracelet and prefer it on steel. But the rubber strap is also excellent.

The HEV gives it some character. Otherwise it would just be another Submariner looking dive watch.

I could get on board with a bracelet refresh including a taper but think they might need to jump to 21 mm.

Aside from that a no date version of the standard 300M would be a nice addition. I rarely use the date, it is difficult to see, and would prefer a cleaner dial without the date window.

I also feel that the Omega Seamaster script on the dial is too small. It’s barely legible. So maybe bump up the font size a bit.

[Krash]

I think it’s great the way it is.


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