BY HARLAN CHAPMAN-GREEN
Omega, in its quest for world domination, took the opportunity of redesigning the Seamaster 300m Diver in a plethora of different specifications. I think the only dial colour you can’t get one in these days is red, but that is doubtlessly only a special order away. The newest addition to the collection is this version featuring two-tone vibes which complement a blue dial. If there was ever a contemporary-looking sports watch for scuba divers, this is it.
Matching contemporary design and functionality into one product that also has to meet the ISO 6425 standard to be considered a diving watch is a taller order than you might first imagine. You need to start with a strong base material. This watch includes Omega’s proprietary rose gold allow named Sedna gold. This blend of metals keeps the same rosy colour but doesn’t tarnish over time, however, gold is a soft metal not ideal for a true sports watch (although the idea of scuba diving with a Rolex Submariner 126618LN is extremely appealing if only for vanity reasons).
Omega uses grade 2 titanium for this watch, it’s incredibly hard-wearing and will survive the battering the watch will undoubtedly take while exploring the depths. Alongside the grade 2 titanium base is the Sedna gold I mentioned above. The third metal, which is a dark grey colour, is called tantalum. Tantalum is both harder than steel and rarer than gold making it a unique addition to this watch, we’re more used to seeing tantalum on F.P Journe’s watches, so it’s nice to see it being used here. The grip on the laser-ablated gold bezel and the links for the case both see tantalum being used. Meanwhile, the pushers and crowns stick with lustrous Sedna gold.
Inside the 44mm case is the calibre 9900 which has been used since 2016 as Omega’s go-to chronograph movement. It comes with a 4Hz beat rate and a power reserve of 60-hours, it also features a METAS certification which means it’s been punished by techs in a lab even more than watches bearing the COSC chronometer standard. The movement is mostly visible underneath the sapphire crystal caseback where the seahorse that depicts the Seamaster has been printed too. I quite like it; it covers the ugly rotor bearing. Omega’s Naiad Lock also means that logo will always be the right way up.
I like this watch, with its creative tri-tone appearance, modern movement and restrained blue ceramic dial. But all that good stuff means it’s on the pricey side at €18,500.
