Two reasons why you'll love the new Omega Seamaster Diver 300M Chronograph

Us: Can we order that limited edition?

Omega: No

Us: Will we get the new Moonwatches?

Omega: No

Us: And those...

Omega: No.

Fortunately, the world did not revolve solely around the Speedmaster collection. Bond movie enthusiasts also got their money's worth with the reissue of the new "diver's watches," which I have already written about and I still maintain that they are one of the best universal watches you can buy for the money. If you want to know why, read the previously published article.

This time, however, we will stick to the Diver collection in a slightly different way. Last year, the Biel-based company announced that the Diver 300 family would be expanded with new additions in the form of chronographs. The fourteen original variations were later supplemented by a titanium model and an all-ceramic model with a diameter of 43.5 cm. And now we have a completely new version with a chronograph.

Personally, unless it's a TAG Heuer Monaco or an Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch with manual winding, I don't really care about chronographs. I know it's still a more interesting complication than a tourbillon (well, maybe every complication is more interesting than a tourbillon :-) ), but a chronograph isn't exactly what I look for in a watch. That's why my initial view of this new product was quite skeptical.

I was skeptical mainly because I was afraid of how it would look in real life. I don't like disproportionate things. For example, when Mercedes introduced the CLA class in 2013, I couldn't believe that someone from Stuttgart had allowed this creation to be released to the public while sober. I literally couldn't stomach the rear "kilometer-long" overhang above the wheel. Even though I had the car for a week, and even in the AMG 45 version, I couldn't imagine it parked in my garage, even though the engine was fabulous. I prefer the Megane RS.

And  that's exactly what I was afraid of, that the watch would be technically flawless, but something about it would really irritate me. Last week, I was looking around our store and what did I see? The new Diver with a chronograph and Sedna had arrived in stock (Sedna Gold – a patented brown gold alloy). I immediately asked to take the watch for a photo shoot so I could get to know it a little better. It was exactly like when you go to the movies with preconceived notions in your head because you heard this and read that... However, I must say that after a day of experience, I almost completely changed my view of this model.

1. Readability and clarity

I was very concerned about readability. When I went to the photo shoot, I put the watch on my wrist, and since it has rubber, I didn't need to adjust the strap. While driving through Bratislava, I didn't pay much attention to the watch on my wrist, but with a quick, rather subconscious glance, I realized that the black high-gloss dial contrasts incredibly with the huge round indices. So I got the information about what time it was almost immediately.

I think that all previous "divers," let's call them the first generation, if they were in chronograph design, had very exaggerated indicators at three, six, and nine o'clock. When a 24-hour scale was added to the small dial, the "Spanish village" was born. 

In this case, however, I must admit that enlarging the case to 44 mm was the only possible step to do this job well. Omega learned from the first generation, and I don't have a similar "mishmash" here. The superbly crafted and high-gloss dial is dominated by two colors: black and white. The gold on the hands is lost at certain moments.

It is precisely the two-color design that ensures lightning-fast readability. The ripples on the dial—cursed by some, but mostly loved—break up two indicators: the second hand is at the nine o'clock position, and the main indicator for the chronograph with two hands is at the three o'clock position: one is for minutes, the other for hours. The indicators are slightly recessed below the level of the dial and have a matte, smooth surface, interrupted only by the scale around the circumference. In sunlight, the dial casts very sexy reflections – I must admit, it got to me.

2. Workmanship

Talking about workmanship is probably a bit unnecessary in the case of Omega, but I have to mention it again, and even though I focused on the dial in the previous lines, I have to mention it again. nbsp;It is truly EXCELLENT and incredible, and I don't know what else to say. The precision of the details is so high that it is difficult to find another brand that could do it better. The case, bezel, and finish of the facets are also perfect! I keep writing about how exceptional the bezel is, but that's only because it fascinates me. I was pleasantly surprised by a tiny detail in the form of stem buttons. They are made of ceramic and feel better to press than the steel ones, perhaps because they feel more rigid.

Overall impression

Would I be willing to pay more than €9,000 for this watch? Not at the moment, but I would add that if I already had everything I consider a "must-have" in my collection, then probably yes. But I would rather go for a classic 3-hand "date" watch. However, if I had to choose, I would only go for this version: black dial, Sedna Gold, and rubber strap (210.22.44.51.01.001). The others are, in my opinion, ordinary and boring. Every single detail on these watches is in perfect harmony. It is also true that the design of the watch is more suited to larger and more muscular wrists than mine, but even my wrist could become more muscular over time :-)

I must admit, without hesitation, that this watch has been one of the biggest surprises for me this year. I will tell you about the others next time.

Introduction

My name is Martin Demko, and I have been working with watches since 2011. During that time, I have handled many models: cheap ones, expensive ones, models from renowned brands, and those from lesser-known brands. My work is both a pleasure and a hobby for me. What I have always strived for and continue to strive for is maximum honesty towards customers, even at the expense of business. I have completed numerous training courses and a relatively large number of training sessions in Switzerland. If you like my articles and my subjective view on various issues, or if you disagree, feel free to write to me at m.demko@racio.com. I would really appreciate any feedback.