If you had the opportunity, would you?
Apparently Omega does some special production watches with particular organizations around the world. I am not in one of those organizations, but know someone who is. They know I am a bit of a watch nut and asked for my thoughts on the pictured watch.
It is an Omega SMP 300, but not a configuration available to the general public. Like the bond watch it uses the no date caliber 8806, which helps make the watch a bit thinner. It has blacked out hour and minute hands and a fully lumed bezel which looks pretty killer.
And everything is matte and/or brushed. Matte dial, brushed ceramic bezel insert, brushed case, and even the entire bracelet is brushed. It also uses a beige colored lume that glows blue everywhere except for the minute hand which glows green.
Over the years I have been back and forth with this watch. I am not a fan of the helium escape valve, I find it kind of off-putting. But I did like that it had a date function. And the specs and movement are hard to argue with. This one has no date, but I still think it looks awesome. And for someone who loves a date function, I do seem to buy a lot of no date watches..... And I really love an all brushed tool watch, I wear my Ranger very often.
Given the option, would you get this watch? Or is the exclusivity what makes it seem more appealing?
For anyone who doesn't like the HE escape valve but bought and SMP 300 anyway, does it bother you still?
Somewhat new to the collecting community, but pretty far down the rabbit hole already…
I go back and forth with the SMP as well for the same reasons you highlighted. If I were to buy one it would be the 2012-2018 model in the dark navy blue dial. As far as the exclusivity, that doesn't interest me much.
To me, that is the PERFECT SMP300. I love it. All tool, no jewelry.
I have an SMP, so I won't be getting a new one. I do like this but prefer more color.
The blacked out hands are an instant deal killer. Maybe on a white dial.
IMHO exclusivity means nothing. Only you will know,
Yes, you'd be daft not to imho.
Looks nicer than the regular one, much prefer a no date myself.
Very cool indeed 😎
This particular one? No.
Mainly because I am not a member of this organization.
https://www.watchesofespionage.com/blogs/woe-dispatch/omegas-modern-unit-watch-program-frogmen-navy-seals-and-us-secret-service
Now a custom variant? Sure.
For me specifically, with a unit/unit issued watch, if I'm not a part of that unit with the earned privilege of wearing the badge/seal/whatever, I'll pass. (In this case the Trident.)
Unless my father or spouse was/is a SEAL. YMMV.
To me, that is the PERFECT SMP300. I love it. All tool, no jewelry.
If they ever do one without the Trident on the back, I'm sure they'll sell a boatload.
This particular one? No.
Mainly because I am not a member of this organization.
https://www.watchesofespionage.com/blogs/woe-dispatch/omegas-modern-unit-watch-program-frogmen-navy-seals-and-us-secret-service
Now a custom variant? Sure.
For me specifically, with a unit/unit issued watch, if I'm not a part of that unit with the earned privilege of wearing the badge/seal/whatever, I'll pass. (In this case the Trident.)
Unless my father or spouse was/is a SEAL. YMMV.
What if another member of your immediate family that you are very close to wanted you to have it? Or is father/spouse where you draw the line?
If they ever do one without the Trident on the back, I'm sure they'll sell a boatload.
I hear they will not, it's even mentioned in the article you shared. Lots of call for interest but I don't think Omega will make it a public offering like Panerai did.
No date is a deal killer for me. If you want a thin SMP300, a Co-Axial escapement movement is not the way to go. I'd rather just modify a 1990s one (thinner ETA 2892 movement) to be more discreet than to try and do it to a fatter modern one.
Do it. And the helium escape valve was a concern for me too but I got over it real fast to be honest once I strapped her on. Wear this thing all the time. It’s also the midsize ‘99 quartz so definitely an apples to oranges comparison lol 😂
If they ever do one without the Trident on the back, I'm sure they'll sell a boatload.
I was in the Navy for 7 years, but worked with the Marines, not the Teams. So I'd never wear something intended for that group; I didn't earn it. But yes, if they offered an unbranded one, I'd buy it.
The exclusivity factor means nothing to me unless I love the watch on its own merits. In those cases, I see the exclusivity as a small bonus, but I'd never want a watch that is associated with an earned honor that I haven't earned myself.
I bought a 2255.80 SMP300 despite despising the Helium escape valve. It's a quirky part of the design, and although I still think I'd prefer for it to not be there, it doesn't take away from my enjoyment of the watch. I prefer this particular vintage based on the more subtle wave pattern and thinner case profile than the modern variants. I also much prefer the sword hands over the skeleton hands , and this "electric blue" dial looks amazing as it plays with the light. It has the bonus of a discrete date, although I would have preferred to see it at the 6 o'clock position.
Had one… but when I had mine it didn’t matter too much afterwards …
I think the appeal is the exclusivity of the watch more than anything…
Go for it! I stopped noticing the helium escape valve after a few days on the wrist when I had my SMP300.
It's a cool watch! I'd definitely buy it!
If they did this one with the US Army I would be interested I was psyops and although under USASOC (back then) it's not Rangers nor any hard core special units so these big brands usually don't see the importance of just general Army. 😂. Too bad becasue I would totally rock a SMP US Army watch all day, I guess it's good my wallet is safe.
I work with a retired Ranger who was not into watches. After working together for 6 months he bought a Hamilton Khaki Field.
I think this a common sentiment if you are in the military. If you didn’t earn it you don’t deserve it.
For the record, I would never claim credit for service I never did, or pose as a member of a special team/unit I was not a part of. Nor would I act like I earned something that I did not.
For the record, I would never claim credit for service I never did, or pose as a member of a special team/unit I was not a part of. Nor would I act like I earned something that I did not.
I apologize if I came off harsh. I didn’t mean too. Just expressing how I think people in the military view it. Honestly I have no issue if people collect military unit watches. I know there are quite a lot of collectors that do that.
LOL I suppose. I thought that was the case too but the 2 companies I tried to get a military discount REALLY stuck to their guns and said no so maybe they really don't love money that much?
I like it but prefer the one I have , the only one that tempted me was the green one , but seeing it in the flesh it was a bit too dark green for my own personal taste.
Overall thought , great watch
I apologize if I came off harsh. I didn’t mean too. Just expressing how I think people in the military view it. Honestly I have no issue if people collect military unit watches. I know there are quite a lot of collectors that do that.
No no, I don't think you came across harsh. Just been a few comments similar to yours and I wanted to clarify is all. Appreciate the input, this is why I asked.
The SMP has never done it for me personally. That variant however looks great. love the blackout look, and I'm very much a fan of brushed vs polished for bracelets.
For me that's the one SMP I've seen that I'd consider. Also, I have a slight preference for no-date dials.
If you have the means, I'd do it. The exclusivity is gravy.
SMP 300 no date is a perfect match. Gimme gimme. :) even with the helium wart
If you're not a fan of the regular 300M, see if this version fixes the things you don't like with the standard version. You mentioned the He valve, obviously this version doesn't fix that for you, but maybe it fixes enough of other things that bother you on the standard version. Don't get the watch just because it's exclusive - you won't wear it because you still don't like it.
Having served in the Navy, I would not buy it if had any specific unit info on it at all. But if I didn’t have any, I would jump on that one if I had the chance. I think it’s an awesome looking watch.
I don’t like the HE valve, hour hand, date window, size, thickness nor bezel shape.
But I love it as a whole. I don’t know why. This is the only watch I have that I can’t explain why I like it😂
This is a fantastic watch and I would go as far as saying the best iteration of the SMP about
I would definitely buy it… the reason I haven’t bought another SMP is because they way too shiny now for my taste. The NTTD is the first SMP I’ve wanted in a long time because it’s more subdued with the matte finish and the no date is a plus for me.
So this along with its rarity would be a definite buy!
Also the He escape valve you forget it’s even there when you’re wearing it
I would purchase this simply for the fact that it's a Seamaster WITHOUT a date window!!