It feels amazing to kick-off the new year with the review of an exceptional timepiece, the OMEGA Seamaster 300 Master Co-axial 41 mm. Announced at the 2014 Baselworld, the design of this Seamaster 300 is directly inspired by the first model, launched in 1957. Under the minor aesthetic upgrades and improvements, the new Seamaster 300 is loaded with the latest technical innovations Omega has to offer: antimagnetic movement visible through the sea-through back, Sedna gold, Ceragold and a newly patented extendable foldover rack-and-pusher clasp.

The 41 mm Seamaster 300 comes in a large choice of metallic materials, ranging from stainless steel, grade 5 titanium and 18K Sedna gold, as well as a bi-colour combination of these materials. As per the dial, you have the option to go with blue or black.

Courtesy of Swatch Group Canada, I spent the Holidays with the blue dial version of the bi-colour Ti-Sedna model. Let’s take a close look at this upscale diver, the youngest offspring of a legend.

The OMEGA Seamaster 300 Master Co-axial 41 mm at a glance

Reference number of the reviewed model: 233.60.41.21.03.001

Movement
OMEGA Master Co-Axial calibres 8400
Resistant to magnetic fields greater than 15,000 gauss.
Free sprung-balance with silicon balance spring, two barrels mounted in series, bi-directional automatic winding.
Bridges and the oscillating weight are decorated with exclusive Geneva waves in arabesque.
Power reserve: 60 hours

Case
Titanium and Sedna Gold
Case Diameter: 41 mm
Lug to lug: 48 mm
Lug width: 20 mm
Height: 15 mm
Screw-in crown
Blue ceramic unidirectional rotating bezel with Ceragold diving scale
Domed sapphire crystal
Water resistant to 30 bar (300 metres / 1000 feet)

Dial
Diameter: 30 mm
Sand-blasted blue
“Vintage” Super-LumiNova

Bracelet
Titanium and Sedna Gold
OMEGA’s patented screw-and-pin bracelet
Extendable foldover rack-and-pusher clasp

Compared to the 1957 model

By looking at the image above where we have side by side the 1957 model and 2014 Master Co-axial, you will immediately see the similarities, with the differences appearing only after a more attentive scrutiny. The original model was slightly smaller, 39 mm versus 41 mm for the new one. This difference in size is especially striking in the shape and proportion of the rotating bezel, which is wider and flat on the new Seamaster 300.

If the hour and minute hands follow closely the original design, the second hand has a small arrow filled with lume.

Another major difference, which is not visible in this picture is the back of the watch. The new Seamaster 300 has a see-through back, allowing you to admire the beautifully decorated Master Co-axial calibres 8400. More on this movement a bit later.

First impressions

When I first opened the package, it was a moment of WOW! I already saw pictures of this watch before, carefully shot studio images, yet none of them came close to the real thing. Later, I realized, while I was taking pictures of my own, how versatile this pice is. Every time the light changed, I would see something different, like having a completely new watch. This is why, I took so many pictures under different lighting conditions, a foggy day, in the morning or in the afternoon sunshine. The titanium, the Sedna gold and the blue would come together to surprise me with a yet unknown Seamaster 300.

You hear titanium and you would expect a light watch. Well, not this baby. Is it the Sedna gold, or the sheer weight of the movement? I don’t know, but for sure, this piece has a nice weight to it, a constant reminder — hey, this a serious tool watch, not a toy.

Dial

As mentioned earlier, the dial is directly inspired by the first Seamaster 300. If the new model also comes with a black dial, the model reviewed here, is the sand-blasted blue version. The lack of the date window, enforces the diving tool DNA of the watch — who needs date function under water — while also keeping the dial uncluttered.

One of the most interesting and the most controversial features of this watch is the luminescent paint that sits on a lover layer of the dial and on the hands. It comes with a faux patina, making this watch look more vintage than it really is.

The way it is applied on the hands, the broad arrow on the hour hand and the oblong triangle of the minute hand, the contrast with the matt blue dial offers great readability under any lighting conditions.

We’ll have to turn off the light to really see the luminous paint in action. The hour hand, the tip on the second hand and the indexes emit a blue light, while the minute hand and a dot on the bezel shine with a green light.

The dial is covered by a domed sapphire crystal surrounded by a polished stainless steel ring. On this model, the unidirectional rotating bezel is made of blue ceramic using Ceragold technology, resulting in a seamlessly flat surface. The bezel protrudes the rest of the case, resulting in a good grip when rotating it.

Case

The diameter of the case is 41 mm while lug to lug is 48 mm, proportions that some might find small, but don’t judge before you would try it on, you might be up to some pleasant surprises. The titanium case features an alternative polished and satin brushed finishing that creates the necessary contrasts to admire the shape of the watch.

The screw-down Sedna gold crown bears the Ω sign and it follows the shape of the rotating bezel. Just as the bezel, the crown is really easy to operate. Talking of Sedna gold, in case you’re wondering what it is, it is an 18K rose gold alloy developed by Omega, made of at least 75% gold, hardened by 1% palladium and the rest is copper to give it’s unique colour. This patented alloy has been created to ensure that the unique rose gold lustre will be especially long-lasting. The first time Omega used this alloy was with the Constellation Sedna, presented at Baselworld in 2013 and ever since, we see more and more timepieces using it.

The case of the Seamaster 300, faithful to its name, is guarantied to be water resistant to 300 meters.

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Master Co-axial Calibre 8400

On the dial, at six o’clock stand the words “Master co-axial chronometer”. In case you’re wondering what it means, just turn the watch around and the sapphire crystal back will reveal the in-house co-axial calibre 8400. So far “nothing special”… What if I tell you that this COSC certified movement is anti-magnetic, being resistant to magnetic fields greater than 15,000 gauss?

Unlike the other anti-magnetic watches, where the movement is shielded by a protective inner case, with a Master co-axial calibre, it is the movement that is anti-magnetic. Thanks to its Si14 silicon balance spring, as well as the staffs and pivot points that are made from a non-magnetic material called Nivagauss™, a Master co-axial movement allows the use of see-through case backs.

The steel for the Co-Axial plates – including the pallet fork, the impulse pinion and the impulse wheel – was also replaced by non-magnetic materials.

The 8400 is closely related to the calibre 8500, used in the Seamaster Aqua Terra > 15’000 gauss, the difference being the lack of date function on the 8400.

The movement is quite an eye candy, the bridges and the oscillating weight featuring Geneva stripe decoration in arabesque. The 8400 comes with a generous power reserve of 60 hours.

The solid Sedna gold version of the Seamaster 300, is equipped with the calibre 8401, featuring an 18K red gold rotor and balance bridge.

Bracelet

The bracelet is crafted from the same materials as the case, satin brushed titanium links on the outside and polished Sedna gold for the central links. I saw on some forums, people complaining about Omega’s choice to polish the central links. In my opinion, it is actually quite interesting — especially on this two-tone model — the contrast between the matt grey surface of the titanium and polished shine of the Sedna gold make this watch more versatile. It will be just as much in his element in the board room, or a soirée at the Opera, as on the beach or in its element, diving several feet under water.

Would you need a quick adjustment, with this newly patented extendable foldover rack-and-pusher clasp, you got six different positions, adding or removing up to 9.6 mm with a simple push of the button on the inside of the clasp.

Conclusions

Just as it was fun reviewing this piece, it was heart breaking to moment I had to send it back. Its versatility made it the perfect companion during the holidays. At the party with my friends or at the Christmas concert, this piece could take anything.

With its vintage tool watch look, combining the understated grey titanium with the grandeur of the Sedna gold, Omega managed to create a timepiece with a lot of class. The same rough elegance that you would find at a seasoned explorer sitting in a gentlemen’s club and talking about his adventures.

Wearing this piece is like going on a time travel in incognito. The watch on your wrist looks like it was made in the 50’s, but under the hood, you got a machine from the future.

This two tone model at $15,000 is not exactly an entry piece and if gold is not your cup of tea, Omega is offering a wide selection of materials and prices. To begin width, there is the all stainless steel model, at $6,600 and you can go up to $62,000 for the limited edition made in solid platinum, if you want something more exclusive.

To discover the entire collection, head over to www.omegawatches.com.