Omega Seamaster 300 M Diver Co-Axial Master Chronometer

The Seamaster Diver 300 M from Omega has been around for 25 years. Since 1993, the special diving watches have had a large fan base. No wonder, as the series has long set standards in terms of aesthetics and reliability. This year's anniversary was celebrated with a complete overhaul. The old design and maritime profile were retained, but each model was upgraded with new innovative materials and some technical innovations. Every detail of the now 42mm watch was changed. Today's modern collection has successfully taken up the famous heritage and enriched it with Omega's innovative ideas and best design.

New look and technical refinement

The new Omega Seastar 300 M Diver Master Chronometer comes with a new ceramic bezel with a diving scale made of Ceragold™ or white enamel. The enamel ensures a more robust white and better durability. The dials are now made of polished ceramic and are available in blue, black or with an extra elegant chrome-colored PVD coating. In addition, the well-known wave motif has been taken up again and integrated as a laser engraving, while the rhodium-plated indices come with a Super-LumiNova coating. The shape of the skeleton hand has also been slightly modified. For more symmetry, the date window has also been moved to 6 o'clock. One of the key features of the Diver 300 M has always been the helium escape valve. The new models have this in a conical shape with extra patented sophisticated technology that guarantees functionality under water. The back of the watch features a wave-patterned edge and sapphire crystal, which provides a clear view of the METAS-certified Master Chronometer Caliber 8800. There are 14 models of the new Seamaster Diver 300 M in total: six made of stainless steel (from 4,400 euros) and eight made of stainless steel and gold mixtures (from 6,000 euros). Each watch comes with a blue or black rubber strap, or a traditional metal strap plus a new ergonomic design and patented push-pull clasp with extra diver extension.

There is also an edition limited to 2,500 pieces, which is based on a design from the beginnings in 1993. The homage is the Titanium Tantalum Limited Edition. Tantalum was used for the base of the bezel and the middle links of the bracelet. The blue-gray tone of the metal creates a noble and unique contrast to the unalloyed titanium and the 18 K Sedna™ gold used for the rest of the timepiece. This incomparable model is available from 11,900 euros. The Master Chronometer Caliber 8800 inside opens up new dimensions in terms of performance, precision and anti-magnetic resistance. The new Seamaster Diver 300 M has a power reserve of at least 55 hours and is suitable for depths of up to 300 meters. The helium escape valve ideally regulates the gas pressure in the watch. The scratch-resistant sapphire crystal also reliably protects the dial. Magnetic fields of up to 15,000 gauss cannot harm this masterpiece.

007 meets Omega: James Bond's loyal companions

Omega became the great successor to Rolex in the mid-90s and from then on supplied super spy James Bond with the best wristwatches. The Seamaster 300 M Diver was without question the ideal piece for the world's most famous secret agent. Oscar-winning costume designer Lindy Hemming was responsible for casting the right piece of jewelry for Agent 007 in Golden Eye (1995) and was looking for a model that would reliably support Bond as a spy, sailor, diver and gentleman.

They chose the Seamaster with a blue dial, an elegant maritime look that suits the wearer. Two years later, the screen hero wears the chronometer version of the model in Tomorrow Never Dies (1997). The Seamaster Professional with automatic caliber saves his life in this episode with an integrated detonator.

Bond also saves the world in The World Is Not Enough (1999) and Die Another Day (2002) thanks to an Omega Seamaster Professional on his wrist. In the 1999 film, he is once again in trouble: he is buried ten meters under an avalanche of snow. With the help of his Omega, which has a wire with a grappling hook in its bezel, James is able to free himself and survive.

In the next installment, which follows three years later, the secret agent's Seamaster has a remote detonator instead of the helium valve, which is activated by turning the bezel. A laser can also be activated via the crown. Fans love such technical gadgets and often ask for similar special "Bond watches".

In Casino Royale (2006), Pierce Brosnan's successor Daniel Craig wears two different watches - both from Omega: a Seamaster Diver 300 M Co-Axial and a Planet Ocean 600 M Co-Axial adorn the actor's wrist. The blue dial, the unidirectional rotating bezel, the screw-down crown and the helium escape valve, as well as the water resistance of up to 300 meters, are the essentials that make the former timepiece a true Bond watch.

The MI6 agent's second watch also comes with the Omega caliber 2500 and a coaxial escapement, but with water resistance of up to 600 meters it has even more to offer - a watch for the most extreme conditions. The Planet Ocean supports Bond in the first quarter of the film before the Diver finally comes into focus. For the premiere, Omega released both watches as limited editions with extra Bond features such as the 007 logo at the end of the second hand, on the case back and the clasp.

From Quantum of Solace (2008) onwards, Bond no longer wears a blue Omega Seamaster for the first time since 1995. Instead, the secret agent was equipped with a Seamaster Planet Ocean, which, with a diameter of 42 millimetres, is slightly smaller than its predecessor in Casino Royale with a diameter of 45.5 millimetres. In terms of design, the model is very reminiscent of the Seamaster pieces of the 1950s. A similar example was presented at the film's release, and this one also has the 007 logo on the second hand and on the back of the case. The film title is also immortalised on the dial.

However, a Seamaster Professional was also launched for the premiere, the Seamaster Diver 300 M James Bond 007 Collector's Piece. The 41-millimeter watch impresses with its black dial and 007 logo on the second hand. In 2012, Omega released a special edition of the Seamaster to mark the 50th anniversary of the James Bond film series. The limited edition Classic Seamaster Professional Co-Axial 300 M also has a diameter of 41 millimeters and houses the chronometer-certified automatic caliber 2507 with coaxial escapement.

In the summer of 2015, the hotly debated question about the next Bond companion was finally answered: Craig wears a Seamaster 300 Spectre Limited Edition in the new film Spectre. Only 7,007 of the special version were produced. Each individual piece has its unique serial number engraved on the caseback along with the film logo.

Surprising: For the first time since Goldfinger (1964) with Sean Connery, Agent 007 is wearing a watch with a textile strap. The 41-millimeter wristwatch is complemented by a striped NATO strap. However, it differs from the normal series model in a few details: There is a round luminous dot on the tip of the central second hand. This special feature has earned it the nickname "lollipop hand". The bidirectional rotating ceramic bezel shows an hour division, which allows a second time zone to be read. The brand logo and the hour numerals are in silver. The watch contains the automatic manufacture caliber Master Co-Axial Caliber 8400, which is immune to magnetic fields of up to 15,000 gauss.

In July 2017, the new wristwatch for Agent 007 was finally presented: the Omega Seamaster Diver 300 M Commander's Watch Limited Edition. Real Bond fans know that before becoming a double-zero agent, James was a commander in the British Royal Navy. The new Bond model is a tribute to this military rank and comes in the colors of the Royal Navy: red, white and blue. The white ceramic dial has a blue, skeletonized hour and minute hand, as well as a red second hand with the 007 logo. The date disc also has a red seven, and the remaining digits appear blue.

Even the unidirectional rotating diving bezel made of rubber, ceramic and Omega's own material Liquidmetal is designed in the Royal Navy tones. At the heart of the watch, which is also 41 millimeters in size, beats the manufacture caliber 2507 with three Commander stripes in yellow gold plus the 007 logo on the rotor. Thanks to the sapphire glass base, the edge of which is engraved with "Commander's Watch", the masterful movement can be admired in detail. However, the stainless steel timepiece is not seen in any film and is again limited to just 7,007 pieces. Seven pieces are also made in yellow gold. This special kind of watch is available with a red-gray-blue NATO strap or a stainless steel strap.