New: The Orange-Accented Omega Seamaster Diver 300M

April 23, 2012

Orange is a popular color for dive watches as it s one of the most visible colors underwater. It offers a strong contrast against the blue or green hues deep down, helping divers quickly read the time or elapsed dive duration. Even though colors like red and orange fade first at great depths due to light absorption, in the recreational diving range (down to ~40 meters), orange remains one of the best choices for a legible, high-contrast dial. Its also a stylistic nod to vintage dive watches and remains a signature look for specific models. Although Omega has used the color on various Seamaster models, the Diver 300M has never featured any orange - until today.This video is blocked because you did not accept marketing cookies. Change cookie settings Iconic Omega watches, such as the Seamaster Ploprof, Planet Ocean, and Aqua Terra, have all had versions with a lot of orange or, at least, some orange accents. Now it s time for the Seamaster Diver 300M to dress up in the Dutch national color.The Omega Seamaster Diver 300M in orangeThe phrasing above is how Omega described the new Seamaster Diver 300M in the press release. That might be a bit much, though, because, other than the optional rubber strap, there are just a few orange accents here and there. But let s start with the familiar brushed and polished stainless steel 42mm case. It s the same one we know and love from previous 300M models, with the twisted lugs, crown guards at 3 o clock, and helium escape valve at 10. Including the domed sapphire crystal, it s 13.8mm thick, and the lugs span 49.7mm from tip to tip. The aluminum bezel insert has a matte black finish and a white 60-minute dive scale made of blue-glowing Super-LumiNova. Omega Seamaster Diver 300M ref. 210.30.42.20.01.018 It perfectly matches the sandblasted black aluminum dial, which doesn t feature any of the wave patterns we typically see on other Seamaster Diver 300Ms. It also doesn t have a date window. This 300M is here to tell you the time, your elapsed dive duration, and nothing else. The orange varnish accents are reserved for the rectangular hour markers, the Seamaster logo at 12, and the lollipop seconds hand. The diamond-polished skeletonized hour and minute hands and round markers feature a rhodium-plated finish. Omega Seamaster Diver 300M The amount of orange increases a lot when you decide to order the watch with the orange curved-end rubber strap. If you opt for the brushed mesh bracelet, the orange accents are rather subtle, but they do give the Seamaster Diver 300M a nice summer vibe. An aesthetic choice rather than a functional oneIt seems like the orange accents on this Seamaster Diver 300M are simply there for aesthetic purposes rather than functional ones. Sure, it s easier to catch the seconds hand on its way around the dial and the cardinal markers. But on previous Omega watches with orange accents, I feel the use of orange was more functional. Look, for example, at the orange minute hand on the Ploprof and the orange 15-minute portion on the bezel insert of the Planet Ocean. This time, it seems like the orange accents are only there to make the Seamaster Diver 300M look a little more casual. Nevertheless, it s a nice variation on the design and an attractive one, especially for us Dutchies. But I can also imagine another variation with white hour and seconds hands and an orange minute hand that could look great as well. For now, the hour and seconds hands have matching blue lume, just like on the hour markers. The minute hand features green lume, which matches the lume pip on the bezel and makes it perfect for keeping track of your elapsed dive duration. A METAS-certified Master ChronometerThe Co-Axial Master Chronometer caliber 8806 powers the new orange-accented Omega Seamaster Diver 300M. This automatic movement holds a power reserve of 55 hours, features 35 jewels, and runs at a frequency of 25,200vph. It s also certified by METAS, which means the watch is accurate to between 0 and +6 seconds per day, and the power reserve and water resistance are guaranteed. In addition, thanks to the silicon Si14 balance spring inside the movement, the watch is resistant to magnetic fields of up to 15,000 gauss. Regarding the finishing, the caliber features a rhodium-plated rotor and bridges with arabesque Geneva stripes, and the screws, barrel, and balance wheel all have a black finish. You can take a good look at it through the sapphire window in the case back. Matte black and varnished orange accentsI like the modest matte black dial and bezel insert in combination with the varnished orange accents. The touches of color pop quite well, but the watch isn t too shiny, which some of the Seamaster Diver 300Ms with ceramic bezel inserts can be. Apart from the orange accents, the new 300M keeps things tidy and is there for the wearer who can appreciate a bit of color instead of having a completely monochrome watch on the wrist. And if you re a fan of orange (or you re Dutch), then this certainly is a very appealing option in Omega s Seamaster Diver 300M collection.The new Omega Seamaster Diver 300M with orange accents costs $6,800 on the fitted rubber strap or $7,200 on the stainless steel mesh bracelet. Both come with a brushed stainless steel folding clasp.Let me know in the comments below what you think of this new Omega Seamaster Diver 300M variation.Watch specifications Brand Omega Model Seamaster Diver 300MReference 210.30.42.20.01.006 (orange rubber strap) / 210.30.42.20.01.018 (mesh bracelet)Dial Black sandblasted aluminum with applied luminous indexes and orange accentsCase Material Stainless steel with black aluminum bezel insertCase Dimensions 42mm (diameter) 49.7mm (lug-to-lug) 13.8mm (thickness)Crystal Domed sapphire with an antireflective treatmentCase Back Stainless steel and sapphire crystal, screw-in Movement Omega 8806: automatic with manual winding and hacking, 25,200vph frequency, 35 jewels, 55-hour power reserve, Co-Axial escapement, METAS-certified Master ChronometerWater Resistance 300 meters (30ATM)Strap Fitted orange rubber with stainless steel folding clasp / Brushed stainless steel mesh with folding claspFunctions Time (hours, minutes, central seconds), 60-minute dive bezelPrice $6,800 (on strap) / $7,200 (on bracelet)Warranty Five years