Omega

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

Hey Bill, thanks for posting this.  I had a chance to try this piece and it is definitely a winner.  Personally I love the SS version, and the Matt textured dial is simply amazing.  

but the proportions do not feel off to me, though there seems to be a lot of feedback from people here saying it is too thick. It is well balanced on the wrist (not top heavy like a Sea-Dweller Deep Sea), and I think the main body of the case being slim makes it wear slimmer than it actually is.

Here is a side view of the piece in SS:

Bill

even the boutiques won't size the bracelet so that I can get an accurate feel for how thick it is on the wrists 

Bill,

I put a deposit on one (SS Version) and I'm waiting for "the call".

Meanwhile, I'm starting to question my decision because it seems a log of "bling", despite of the perfectly balanced dial (Omega even put the "Nicolas date" on this one, meaning none).

I go to wait until I see it "in metal" to materialize my acquisition or not.

Cheers,

Nilo

when you finally get to see it in the flesh.

Bill

Tomorrow I go to see it in metal and ... who knows?

My impressions will be posted here.

Cheers,

Nilo

Good post. There is really not much I don't like about this watch. I am not a big fan of the brand but I think this is a superb release. 

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I spoke with "my" watchmaker who is servicing both Rolex and Omega. He's praising the movement of Omega.

I think the thickness is appropriate in an Omega sporty watch.

Bill

I enjoyed your review. Thank you. I like both the SS and the Ti versions of this watch. I think it would be hard to choose, but I too would probably select the Ti for the cool blue dial and bezel. And I would definitely wear it on a strap. For some reason, the metal bracelet is not very attractive to me. But that's probably my own personal prejudice as I only own one piece with a metal bracelet.

A question: is the lume on the minute hand the same color as the lume on the hour hand? The lume on the minute hand appears to be lighter. I haven't noticed this in other pictures I've seen of this model.

Cheers,

John

....the lume on the minute hand (same as the lume on the bezel) is different from the hour hand, while the hour hand is same as the hour markers.

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with traditional green lume on the minute hand.

Bill

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The wording...

The crown is lacking elegance, and the wording was not necessary.

Too bad, as the dial is cool, and rhe case has the elegance of the original..

Best,

Nicolas

I like that the crown is "robust!" We see the same thing and have polar opposite thinking on it.

Bill

I think Omega hit a home run with this offering.  The near perfect mix of old world styling with new world technology.  Absence of a date is a must on this one.

Once you have seen it in person.

one is predisposed to blue.

what do you think of the Ti / blue combination?  is it novelty or something that could be lasting? 

thanks, Bill!

best,

echi

I wore this VC Overseas for the longest time as my daily watch:

photographs.  It just had the right light to make it look "real" and if it looked near to your images, then it might be worth the look.

i like the classic ss look but it will be a bit redundant with my old SMP300.

i've been on the lookout for a blue watch and was considering the heritage chrono from Tudor.  but this one might be a better alternative.

another thing to consider is the Ti metal.  i have a couple of watches in Ti cases and there's nothing wrong with them to be honest but for some reason, i prefer the feel of ss on my skin. 

strange preferences, i know.

but your post really piqued my interest.

anyway, thanks again. 

best,

echi

Waiting on mine to come in. Got the ss version. Although the blue dial was quite intriguing, the titanium was a little too light for me. I like the feel and "heft" of the stainless version. Will post some pics and thoughts after I "play" with it for awhile.

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having said that , i have not seen the black SS version in person yet.  i like the lightness of the Ti and also the beautiful co-axial movement. The blue dial seems more unique....and I had been looking for a blue dial watch..  Not in  a hurry to get one.. so that is good but will keep a look out..

 

Cheers !