zOwie Omega Discussion Forum

Hello Everyone in the Omega forum… I am not exactly a "long time lurker" but, I did do some serious scanning of this forum when I was researching this, my latest watch purchase. So, now that I am in possession of a new Titanium Seamaster 300, I thought I would share the experience with fellow fans passionate about Omegas.

A bit about myself -- I am an oceanographer, and am actually one of the few who dives professionally for their job. My current collection consists almost entirely of dive watches and includes a vintage Doxa Sea Rambler, Heuer Pro1000, Seiko Diver, among some other odds and ends (Casio G-shock, and yes, a Rolex Day Date). Alas, I brutally abuse my time pieces, once I put them on my arm, they hardly come off. So, after mangling my Heuer in a hiking fall, and my trusty Doxa had been repaired and serviced so many times it is now a total Frankenwatch not fit for dive operation, it was time to get a new "trusty steed".

In my research for a new, automatic dive chronometer, it came down between a Seamaster and a Submariner (a pretty common decision) and after researching things like this forum, I was coming down heavy on the side of an Omega. A trip to Leo Hamel Jewelers in San Diego won me over, and I walked out with a new Titanium Seamaster 2231.50 (a big thank you to the wonderful folks at Leo Hamel, I couldn't recommend their service more).

Why the Seamaster? I decided I needed another reliable, solid and trouble-free piece. Being automatic is important to me, because I have been trapped out in the field with a watch failing due to battery problems. Of course the Submariner is a beautiful, iconic time piece and does possess a certain cache. However, I feel the current prices are ridiculous and Submariners (and all the copies) seem to be on everyone's arm as merely a piece of 'bling'. For functionality and performance with respect to cost, I think Omega beats the Rolex hands down.

As I mentioned I dive a lot for work, typically 100 - 200 work dives a year. I have done 4 saturation dive missions and often trimix dive on projects as deep as 100 meters using SCUBA as well as a closed-circuit rebreather. I use various dive computers for primary time keeping, but need a rugged watch as a back up timer. I wear my dive watches (including this Omega) mercilessly; in the pool, the ocean around the globe, under ice, in caves, in the shower, in the sun and sand, in the machine shop and during construction and work on ships in the field. The crystals, cases and bands all get beat up and scratched -- hard won battle scars (the clasp on this Seamaster is already getting 'christened'). I figure that if a watch is advertised as being rugged chronometer built for diving in the 'real world' it better be able to handle a dunk in a soapy, hot shower, get crusted in salt and pretty much withstand anything that my arm can.

What I like about the Seamaster.

The dial is totally functional and easy to read, even in low light. A brief blast with a dive light at night and the dial glows like a beacon. The bezel has one of the nicest 'feels' of any that I have tried with good, positive positioning. The band is extremely comfortable and locks securely closed. It adjusted easily even for my smaller wrist diameter. I opted for the Titanium model because I fell in love with its distinctive coloration and lack of "shiny bling..". For its size, it is amazingly light -- it disappears on your arm. Nobody has ever commented on it (and I feel it is advantageous to not advertise its value when walking about in some locations). And, I must say that I was impressed with the Omega packaging (certifications, box, etc).

A bit on case size. I know that many people have struggled with the decision between the full and mid-size case. I thought I would have a similar issue, however, after one look at both the full and mid-size side by side and on my wrist, the decision was easy. Go for the full size. The mid-size is just too small, even on my relatively small wrist it looked unusual. I was wearing my old Doxa in the store and it has the same size case at the Seamaster, and although it is a total 'brick' (very thick), it looked much smaller sitting beside the Seamaster because it has a relatively smaller dial for its case size. However, on my wrist, the Seamaster looked about the same as the Doxa and not overwhelming in presence (and wow! so much lighter!)

So, right now I couldn't be happier with my purchase. Time will tell if the watch is as dependable and rugged as I suspect it is.

Here are a few token pictures of the Seamaster as well as a somewhat blurry shot of it in action a few weeks ago (I apologize for the low quality of the images!). For the dive geeks out there, the computer is indicating, among other bits information, a current depth of 263 feet, a first decompression stop at 156 feet and a gas trimix with 15% oxygen and 55% helium. When wearing a wetsuit, I tend to keep the dial and band under my sleeve for protection.

Dale