1964 Omega Seamaster 300 Review

amanico · 2008-07-01T11:47:34Z

Explore the 1964 Omega Seamaster 300, a true tool watch with iconic design, caliber 55x movement, and vintage collector insights.

amanico

WPS member · Omega forum

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Amanico's passionate review of his 1964 Omega Seamaster 300 offers a deep dive into the allure of this iconic dive watch. His journey to find an authentic, well-preserved example highlights the challenges and rewards of vintage collecting. Nicolas's detailed observations on its design, legibility, and comparison to other dive watch legends provide a comprehensive appreciation for this tool watch.

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I was always fascinated by Diving watches, and began 8 years ago a nice thematic collection, with this observation:

I own watches from 11 different brands, and no Omega!

There were some few Omega watches which really and deeply have interest for me, and among them, beside the Omega Central Tourbillon, or the Pilot watch from 1938, the SM 300.

So I began to hunt, and each time I fell on a Sea Master 300, there was something wrong...Stubbies, wrong A, repainted dial, closed 6 and 9 instead of open ones ( funny, exactly like the Pre Vendome Panerai watches...) etc...

When I found one authentic one, and not re painted, the condition was awful.

Till 2 weeks ago, and there, the luck crossed my way...

I found an authentic one, in great condition, a gorgeous patina, and made the year I was made too! LOLOL

Why do I love it so much?

First of all, this is a real Tool watch, made for Diving, and it's obvious...

The Legibility is great, with these big tritium indexes on the dial, and even on the bezel, nice straight hour hand, and minute hand, tritium made, too, black matt dial, thick domed plexy, all is thought to be used in tough situations.

What I understood is that the straight hour hand was available, hence correct, for the SM 300 till 1967 or 1968...After, this model got spade hour hand.

Legibility doesnt' make all...There are Legible watches, but ugly watches, too...

This one is simply gorgeous!

The domed plexy glass achieves to give a strong, very strong and sexy look to the SM 300.

Spectacular, isn't it?

And what to say about the special shape of the case and lugs?

These are just sublime!

Look at the way the case and lugs are worked...Much more refined than another holy beat, the Blancpain FF Mil Spec!

In fact, the case is quite thin, and what makes the thickness is the addition of the case, the bezel, and the plexy...All in different levels.

Just one little thing, maybe: As it is a tool watch, the crown should have been a bit bigger..It looses in functionnality what it gains in esthetics...

But, at the end, this SM 300 is indeed a nice competitor to the Vintage JLC Diving watches, Blancpain FF, Longines Diver, IWC Ref 812, and some Rolex Subs...

Just happy to have added one in my collection!

Hope you'll enjoy this quick review,

Best.
Nicolas

This message has been edited by amanico on 2008-07-01 11:48:29 This message has been edited by amanico on 2008-07-09 08:35:50

Key Points from the Discussion

The Omega Seamaster 300 is celebrated as a true tool watch, designed for diving with excellent legibility due to its large tritium indexes, straight hands, black matte dial, and thick domed plexy glass.
The straight hour hand was correct for the SM 300 until around 1967 or 1968, after which the model adopted a spade hour hand.
The unique shape of the case and lugs on the SM 300 are highly praised for their refined aesthetic, distinguishing it from other dive watches of the era.
The Omega 55x and 56x caliber family, including the 552, 550, 562, 563, and 565, used in the SM 300 and other 1960s Omega automatics, was considered top-tier for its time and is robust enough for restoration.
Given the prevalence of frankenwatches and fakes, acquiring an authentic vintage SM 300 in good condition is challenging, leading some collectors to opt for 'Watchco' builds with new Omega replacement parts and reconditioned original movements.
Modern replacement parts from Omega are not considered 'New Old Stock' (NOS) as they are newly manufactured, leading to slight differences compared to original production parts.

The Discussion

Bill Sohne

Jul 1, 2008

Hi Nicolas Nice photos... and I guess you are still in love with the watch !!! Here is a non Omega dive I picked up.... Good Hunting Bill Sohne

Eurisko

Jul 3, 2008

And a judicious catch for your diving team. Best Nicolas

DrStrong

Jul 3, 2008

in awesome condition and with a nice patina. I love the bezel and hands display. Many congrats for the addition ! Cheers Jeff

Dr No

Jul 3, 2008

. . . alongside the FF, with it's subtle functionalism and sinuous lines . . . it's perhaps the only dive watch I've ever tried on that didn't make me feel like I should be wearing scuba gear ;-) . . . congrats, Nicolas, and I'll see if I can get Kurt to post a few photos of his Watchco Seamaster 300 for us to see how a new bracelet-equipped model looked back then . . . cordially, Art

amanico

Jul 3, 2008

You're aboslutely right, Art. The case of this Sm 300 is much more refined than the vharming but rough Blancpain FF! The awesome condition of this one is just fascinating! Best, and thanks for the nice words, my friend. Nicolas

mrsnak

Jul 3, 2008

Really happy with my Watchco SM300. Bought it late last year. It's all new correct (new manufacture) Omega case, dial, bezel, hands, bracelet, etc. Movement is reconditioned original. Mine keeps close to COSC specs. Given all the fakes and frankens, and the cost to get an original back to pristine shape, I opted this route.

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