Hands-on with the New Omega Seamaster 300 Master Co-Axial (LIVE Photos and Pricing)

Before Baselworld 2014, we played with the teaser photos and video that Omega released prior to the official launch during the fair, and we showed you the important details first here. When the fair started, we finally got to see and handle Omega’s modern interpretation of a classic. We go hands-on with the new Omega Seamaster 300 Master Co-Axial with the new anti-magnetic movement.

In 1957 Omega introduced the Seamaster 300 that became one of the world’s most iconic dive watches. Highly sought after and unfortunately also highly “messed with”; it’s very difficult to find one that is still in original condition and that is not equipped with all kind of after market parts. With the introduction of the Seamaster 300 Master Co-Axial, Omega has the solution for those who love the looks of the vintage Seamaster 300, however prefer to buy one without risk and that is in perfect condition to be used to depths up to 300 meters.

The 1957 Seamaster 300 already featured all recognizable feats that a modern dive watches needs to have, like the unidirectional rotating bezel with diving scale, a black dial with lighter luminescent indices and large hands and numbers. So does the new Seamaster 300 Master Co-Axial! It’s sand-blasted black dial features white minute markers and “vintage” hour indices. The central hour, minute and second hands are coated with “vintage” Super-LumiNova.

The hour and seconds hands emit a blue light, as do the recessed hour markers, while the minute hand emits a green light. When diving the minute hand, together with the uni-directional rotating bezel, are your main reference points for keeping track of your time under water. When the minute hand emit another colour as the other hands, it catches the attention quicker and when you’re diving that is one simple thing that really helps.

Models and pricing

However before we go into all details, it’s good to mention that there are versions in stainless steel, grade 5 titanium, 18K Sedna gold and even platinum. There’s also a bi-colour version made in titanium and 18k Sedna gold, or stainless steel and 18K Sedna gold. Retail prices start just under € 5.000 Euro for the stainless steel version with black dial and bezel, however here’s the full list:

• stainless steel – black dial/bezel – € 4,930 Euro (ref. O233.30.41.21.01.001)
• grade 5 titanium – blue dial/bezel – € 6.720 Euro (ref. O233.90.41.21.03.001)
• bi-colour stainless steel and 18K Sedna gold – black dial/bezel – € 9.410 (ref. O233.20.41.21.01.001)
• bi-colour titanium and 18K Sedna gold – blue dial/bezel – € 11.200 Euro (ref. O233.60.41.21.03.001)
• full 18k Sedna gold – black dial/bezel – € 25.540 (ref. 233.60.41.21.01.001)
• platinum version, limited to 357 pieces – € 49.300 (ref. 233.90.41.21.03.002)

The uni-directional rotating bezel has a black (or blue) ceramic bezel with a Liquidmetal diving scale. The 41 mm case is alternately polished and satin brushed. The same kind of finish has been applied on the bracelet, that comes in the same metals as the case: stainless steel, grade 5 titanium, 18K Sedna gold, platinum or 2 variations of bi-colour. These bracelet feature Omega’s patented rack-and-pusher clasp, that allows fine-adjustment and even makes it possible to wear the Seamaster 300 Master Co-Axial over the sleeve of a diving suit – its natural habitat so to speak. And to ensure that it can operate in its natural habitat, it is water resistant up to 300 meters.

Visible through the see-through case back is one of Omega’s new fully anti-magnetic movements,which in our opinion is a total game-changer for the watch industry. Both new movements, calibre 8400 and 8401 are equipped with the well-known co-axial escapement – that has been improved since its introduction – and now with several new materials that make it able to withstand magnetic fields that could potentially damage mechanical movements. We introduced -and explained-  this to you first when we wrote about these game-changing movements during Baselworld.

All together the Omega Seamaster 300 Master Co-Axial has great classic inspired looks and contemporary specifications. Although we can easily say that its movement has futuristic specifications. It is offered with a four-year warranty. More info: www.omegawatches.com