12 months with… Omega Seamaster Diver 300M
A little over 18 months ago my wife and I found out we were expecting! This led, understandably, to reassessing a lot of priorities and hobbies.
I decided to sell my pride and joy, an 02 Toyota MR2 Roadster. A 2 seater wouldnt suit having a third wheel! I had a chunk of cash sat around, determined that this would still be ‘fun’ money rather than being sunk into pushchairs and baby accoutrements. The wife agreed!
6 months later my wife and I were in York on our 10 year anniversary getaway, which had been cut short due to some pregnancy complications, but we made the second half. We decided to treat ourselves to something to commemorate the pregnancy, 10 years together and other recent events with careers.
My wife got a nice diamond ring and I tried on a couple of SMPs in Goldsmiths. I didnt pull the trigger there and then, as I live near an Omega AD and wanted to buy locally if possible.
A few days later we were home and I went, tried on and walked out the door wearing a blue SMP!
So, why the SMP? I grew up in the 90s and ‘my Bond’ was Brosnan. I vividly remember thinking the blue watch he wore was cool. Fast forward to me being in my 30s and I always had a blue SMP in the back of my mind as a watch I would love to have, but probably would never spend that level of cash on a watch! I love the colour, the styling (yes, including the HE valve) and the direct DNA of those 90s variants.
Anyway, I had the watch, and it was amazing, but I was a little… anxious. Now I had it on my wrist, I had to take care. The first few days I only wore it in the evenings at home. I didnt dare to risk it.
I had a discussion with my Dad, a real ‘one watch guy’. Hes had a 46mm Breitling Superocean for 8 years and worn it every single day, all the time, for everything. For him there was no point in babying it, its a tool and meant to be used. He urged me to do the same, and get some use out of it and add more memories to it.
So I did.
Since then, its been worn every day, for everything except heavy DIY. Ive worn others for the odd afternoon here and there, but the vast, vast majority of the time, its the SMP. I work in a formal office environment, and it fits the bill there. Its ‘flashy’ enough to wear out and about, but rugged enough to wear for adventures;
Ive worn it on walks, holidays, swimming, dinners out and it has handled it all with gusto.
I wore it during the birth of my little girl last November and as a result it has become tied to that event for me, and being a parent in general. I wear it to bath her, play, clean up, carry, you name it.
I generally wear it on the bracelet, but have switched to the rubber for holidays, due to extra risk for damage! I have to admit the rubber is great for the summer, but does make it a little less formal, maybe. The pin buckle hardware feels very secure.
I may pick up the genuine mesh bracelet, and I have toyed with chucking it on a NATO.
Its picked up plenty of scratches and marks, but none really noticeable. Im wearing it as intended, hopefully.
I look forward to wearing it every day, and spend ages looking at it. Its genuinely made me think seriously about any other purchases, I have made a few since, but most have been sold as this trumps them all.
I have considered one of the early quartz 90s models to go alongside it, but in black. I just love the iconic case shape.
Sorry for the long post. I wanted to give a little perspective into short term, but long term intended, ownership.
Professional Pessimist / Omega / Seiko / G Shock
Congratulations on the new baby…and daughter 🤣
Now all you need is a BMW Z3 or Z4 to live out your James Bond dreams.
Congratulations on the new baby…and daughter 🤣
Now all you need is a BMW Z3 or Z4 to live out your James Bond dreams.
Thanks!
I nearly bought a Z3 a few years ago! I ended up with the MR2 as it was more fun and easier to find without corrosion.
Yeah nice watch... you forgot to mention the doggos name?? 😂
Yeah nice watch... you forgot to mention the doggos name?? 😂
Obi! My faithful companion.
Wonderful read! Great to see a watch being a companion through life in its way!
Amazing watch and great post! What’s your wrist size? Do you find that the watch is ever a bit too heavy or bulky for daily wear?
Amazing watch and great post! What’s your wrist size? Do you find that the watch is ever a bit too heavy or bulky for daily wear?
Thanks mate.
My wrist is a little over 7.5 inches. For me personally its perfectly sized, but I tend to like watches 40mm+.
I dont really consider it overly large or cumbersome. It slips under a shirt cuff or a sleeve if needed, the lugs and bracelet taper down quite dramatically from the case, which helps it hug the wrist.
Congratulations on the new baby! Best of health to you and your family and enjoy all the memories you make with them which the Seamaster by your side.
Very nice story. Pure joy to read and dive into your thoughts and emotions. Your SMP looks great on your wrist. 😎
Thx for the post! My younger daughter and her husband are expecting a baby girl in October so I have become interested in any article about welcoming more life, certainly appreciated yours and believe that new parents still need to think about themselves also, cannot think of something more memorable than a timepiece. Congrats on your child, your Omega and obvious focus on living a good life. Best wishes. I also own a white dial SMP, did not mark any special occasion, bought it just before the lock downs made necessary by a global pandemic, I could say that it might be remembered as a survivor watch.
Welcome to the ranks of new parents! I imagine you are finding the experience exhilarating and humbling.
Oh and nice watch! Great way to celebrate.
Obi! My faithful companion.
Beautiful, the watch ain’t bad either.
Welcome to the ranks of new parents! I imagine you are finding the experience exhilarating and humbling.
Oh and nice watch! Great way to celebrate.
Thanks mate. Yeah its a rollercoaster, its great though!
These are my favorite type of posts. This is what this hobby is about. Cheers!
Thx for the post! My younger daughter and her husband are expecting a baby girl in October so I have become interested in any article about welcoming more life, certainly appreciated yours and believe that new parents still need to think about themselves also, cannot think of something more memorable than a timepiece. Congrats on your child, your Omega and obvious focus on living a good life. Best wishes. I also own a white dial SMP, did not mark any special occasion, bought it just before the lock downs made necessary by a global pandemic, I could say that it might be remembered as a survivor watch.
Congratulations! Yes. Off-topic but I think its been a big turning point for me and how I apprieciate and view almost everything, including my own identity. Its nice to have the SMP as the link to my 90s era and when I had more free cash…!
Thanks mate 😊
Wow! Cool watch and very cool story.
Cheers and good day to you 🔥
Thanks. Thats a cool piece, love the lume colour!
Ive seen some Staib bracelets, but I like the idea of the Omega Deployant. Having said that, I preffered the pin buckle on the rubber, so maybe I could get a cheaper mesh.
Although, 2/3 cheaper this seems like a cool way to see if I like the mesh;
https://www.bracelets-for-watches.com/uhrenarmband-milanaise-staib-2784_2442_3174
Thanks for the kind words and reception to this, watchfam!🥰
Back on this morning in our Air BnB ready to have a day of exploring!
I highly recommend Flamborough this time of year, absolutely beautiful and great for families!
Can you spot the seal? 😅
Thanks. Thats a cool piece, love the lume colour!
Ive seen some Staib bracelets, but I like the idea of the Omega Deployant. Having said that, I preffered the pin buckle on the rubber, so maybe I could get a cheaper mesh.
Don't get me wrong, I love that clasp too, got an aftermarket as 700 a pop from the store for the bracelet is kind of steep...
Excellent post! Big Omega fan myself.
A tip on NATO's - don't bother with the genuine Omega ones, they're very bulky and hardware isn't great (springbar retained buckle) - I use CWC or Watchgecko/Zuludiver , more comfortable, less bulk and far cheaper!
Definately, Im considering something with 600m as im not sure it cuts the mustard! 🤣
Wait till you have a toddler and they really start splashing around.
Excellent post! Big Omega fan myself.
A tip on NATO's - don't bother with the genuine Omega ones, they're very bulky and hardware isn't great (springbar retained buckle) - I use CWC or Watchgecko/Zuludiver , more comfortable, less bulk and far cheaper!
Thanks - got a couple of Bark and Jack ones which feel fantastic.
Don't get me wrong, I love that clasp too, got an aftermarket as 700 a pop from the store for the bracelet is kind of steep...
Which one have you got?
Which one have you got?
Got the Vollmer at 70 euros, practically identical to the 700 pounds asked for the James Bond version from the Omega store. For most of my leather straps used on other watches, I use an omega-style clasp, a sturdy knockoff I got for 20 euros.
Definately, Im considering something with 600m as im not sure it cuts the mustard! 🤣
Go straight to ploprof.
Great stories, great pics, great watch. Cheers all around.
Nice watch, lovely story.
These latest Seamaster 300s sure look nice - I just hope Omega have now got their QC sorted... I bought a SM 300 GMT White dial (aka 'The Great White') from Goldsmiths around 20 years ago... I soon noticed that the hour hand was out of register... Back it goes to Omega via Goldsmiths - for a month! ...It came back with just the same issue! ...Off it goes again for another month... This time it came back with the hour hand sorted, but with scratches all over the case! ...Off it goes again - and this time Omega had swapped out the case for a new one - but it was a POLISHED case from the black dial version, NOT the correct BRUSHED case for the White dial! So it was now a 'Frankenwatch'! ...Before I could return it again, the bezel ring fell off - luckily in the house! ...As Goldsmiths had tried their best (!), I wrote directly to Omega and they asked me to personally return the watch to them... They promptly replaced it with a brand new one - all present and correct - but, as I'd bought it to mark a very special personal occasion, the whole experience left a very nasty taste. ...I currently wear - on special occasions only - my late father-in-law's rare 1965 Omega Constellation 'Sports model' (with 'concealed' crown) in steel with a plexiglass crystal... Never been serviced and runs like a dream - made when Omega really knew how to make 'em! ...I hope your Seamaster proves just as memorable - but for all the right reasons! Best wishes.
These latest Seamaster 300s sure look nice - I just hope Omega have now got their QC sorted... I bought a SM 300 GMT White dial (aka 'The Great White') from Goldsmiths around 20 years ago... I soon noticed that the hour hand was out of register... Back it goes to Omega via Goldsmiths - for a month! ...It came back with just the same issue! ...Off it goes again for another month... This time it came back with the hour hand sorted, but with scratches all over the case! ...Off it goes again - and this time Omega had swapped out the case for a new one - but it was a POLISHED case from the black dial version, NOT the correct BRUSHED case for the White dial! So it was now a 'Frankenwatch'! ...Before I could return it again, the bezel ring fell off - luckily in the house! ...As Goldsmiths had tried their best (!), I wrote directly to Omega and they asked me to personally return the watch to them... They promptly replaced it with a brand new one - all present and correct - but, as I'd bought it to mark a very special personal occasion, the whole experience left a very nasty taste. ...I currently wear - on special occasions only - my late father-in-law's rare 1965 Omega Constellation 'Sports model' (with 'concealed' crown) in steel with a plexiglass crystal... Never been serviced and runs like a dream - made when Omega really knew how to make 'em! ...I hope your Seamaster proves just as memorable - but for all the right reasons! Best wishes.
Thanks, that's a shame yours was so bad, I haven't had any issues with mine to date, it feels really well built and its certainly not been babied, its quite friendly with most of my door frames and tabletops... I would highly recommend it as a daily watch to almost anyone.
There is one thing that bugs me though and that is on the bracelet. There is a bit of welding for the link which doesn't appear to have been filled correctly, so there's a slight 'dip' on the side of the top link. It isn't noticeable unless you sit and look for it, but it's annoying non-the-less. Did you contact Omega directly through the website?