Omega

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A quick look at the Seamaster 300 Master Co-axial

While I have been a collector of vintage watches from Vacheron Constantin for a long time, my interest in vintage timepieces has never extended to other watchmakers, even though I respect their history and find many historical pieces to be interesting and beautiful. Omega is no exception. Like Vacheron Constantin does with their Historiques colllection, which take vintage pieces as a point of departure for the making of a modern piece (and all those advantages that come with a new piece), I appreciate that they will mine their past for inspiration for contemporary watches. I have played around with some contemporary Omega pieces (even buying them) in order to try to find one that really suits my taste, but have not yet found one that truly sings to me over the long term.

I think that might have changed with the new Seamaster 300 Master Co-axial, which are finally rolling out into the retail channels here in the US. The design is close enough to the original to satisfy my desire to have a classic looking watch, but one that is also a good size for contemporary tastes (being 41 mm compared to the 39 of the original from 1957). 

While the stainless steel is the classic look, and truest to the original concept, I am more captivated by the blue dial and bezel of the titanium version.

I especially like the light weight of the titanium, which is a dramatic change compared with the heft of the stainless steel GoodPlanet I had for about a year. Also nice is the ratchet in the clasp that allows for micro adjustments, or even a full diver extension. This should be used in all the Planet Ocean pieces. 

Thankfully there is no helium escape value: I neither need it nor want it!

I do wish that there were delivered with a strap in addition to the bracelet. No doubt There will be Omega as well as aftermarket options that we’ll see eventually.

While I am happy to search for mint condition vintage Vacheron Constantin watches, and do the research on authenticity and deal with the time and expense for service for any timepieces I am buying, I have no desire to do that with Omega. I also appreciate the benefits that comes with new Omega watches. I like the in-house caliber 8400, with its silicon coaxial escapement. 

I like the four year warranty that comes with these movement (not that I typically own a watch for 4 years!), and the anticipated long interval between servicing.

I like that Omega did NOT put the date on it, even tucking it in between four and five like so many brands do now.

I like the ceramic bezel, which is where much of the wear and tear I put on watches occurs, and so I expect the case will look great many years into the future (I am less optimistic about the bracelet, which explains my interest in strap options). The sound and feel of the bezel are also outstanding.

I also like the “vintage” color of the Superluminova that gives the effect of aged tritium, though I don’t think I would mind it if it were standard Superluminova. The execution of the detail on the dial is really top notch.

I just like this watch

Bill

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