Introduction
Initially released in 1948 and based on watches used by airmen in WWII, the Omega Seamaster has become one of Omega’s best-known collections. Initially, a dress-style watch with thick lugs, the Seamaster was designed to promote daily wear while remaining functional for use in water with 62.5 meters of water resistance. However, the modern Seamaster that we know and love today was born nine years later, in 1957. This was when the Seamaster 300 was released after Omega was inspired to upgrade the Seamaster after they had 50 Seamaster cases with rubber O-ring gaskets tested in 1955, which led them to work with new materials and push their boundaries. As a result, they created the Seamaster 300, which featured a heavily luminescent dial and handset, a rotating bezel, a thick domed hesalite crystal, and double crown seals. Interestingly, while named the Seamaster 300, the watch was originally only rated for 200m of water resistance, with Omega insisting the watch could outperform the testing equipment. Either way, the Seamaster lives on as James Bond's watch of choice and now enjoys the privileged position in today’s market as one of the most iconic dive watches ever released.
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Grade
V 8
Status
Vetted & Approved
Included
Watch Only
Est. value range
$5,000 – $8,000
The Details
Brand
Omega
Dimensions
39mm x 47 mm
Model
Seamaster 300
Movement
Automatic cal. 550
Reference
14755-61
Bracelet
Stainless steel bracelet
Year
Circa 1961
Condition
Very good
Material
Stainless steel
Included
Watch only
Dial Color
Black
THE DIAL
Presented in excellent condition, this example's dial remains black, its luminous has a warm orange tone, and its steel hands are only very slightly oxidized given the example's age.
THE CONSTRUCTION
Found with its thin bezel and straight lugs, the early Seamaster 300's construction formed the core of its distinctive and utilitarian aesthetic that enabled it to become one of the early successful dive watches.
TIMING MACHINE READOUT
This reading was taken (crown down) with a ONEOF Accuracy Boutique Edition timing machine at time of cataloging. It is provided as a courtesy only, and shall not be construed as a warranty or guarantee of any kind. Please refer to our terms and conditions of sale for more information.
Condition
Watch is in overall very good condition. The steel case shows surface scratches and some nicks to the lugs and case. The case back retains well-defined engravings and hippocampus, with scratches and some dings around the edges of the tool-key holes. The bezel remains well defined, while the insert shows damage including crazing/cracks and a couple of missing sections that have been repaired. The dial shows surface spotting and discoloured lume to the hour plots. The pointed hours hand has very dark and cracked luminous, while the minute hand tip is missing its lume. Watch is fitted with an Omega 7912 bracelet with #6 ends (dated 1962), showing surface scratches and light play between the links. The bracelet is fitted with 22 links and fits approximately a 7½” wrist.
Our Perspective
An iconic watch that has had a large impact on pop culture even outside of watchmaking, the Seamaster 300 spanned the gap between casual everyday timepieces and sports-focused tool watches long before it became standard practice.
Justin Gruenberg
Co-founder
