Review: Omega Seamaster 300 steel, 2021 edition

Our hands-on review of the Omega Seamaster 300 2021. Omega keeps perfecting the Seamaster 300. Prices of 234.32.41.21.01.001 and 234.30.41.21.03.001

Launched last March, the new generation of the Omega Seamaster 300 introduces several novelties, including the update to Master Chronometer to certify the highest standards of precision, performance and magnetic resistance of the watch.

Following our introductory article (you can read it here), we are now delighted to share our impressions as well asmore pictures of two Seamaster 300 models, the reference 234.32.41.21.01.001 with black dial and leather strap and the reference 234.30.41.21.03.001 with blue dial and steel bracelet.

The Seamaster 300 has always been a special watch for the Bienne-based brand. It was introduced in 1957 as Omega’s first-ever professional divers’ watch and it was the first Omega to feature a rotating bezel to measure diving times.

The new Seamaster 300 maintains the 41 mm case diameter of the previous generation but with a thinner bezel that leaves more space to the dial. 

The stainless steel case alternates satin-brushed surfaces to polished ones to highlight its lines. 

Counter-clockwise rotating with 120 precise clicks, the unidirectional bezel features an oxalic, anodised-treated aluminium that offers increased hardness. 

The total height, including the slightly domed sapphire crystal, is 13.85 mm, which makes this model pretty slim for a diver's watch. The overall wearability of the Seamaster 300 is excellent whether with a leather strap with pin buckle or with the improved stainless steel bracelet, equipped with a thinner, polished-brushed clasp.

The sapphire glass has an anti-reflective treatment on the inside, a choice that is recommended on diver's watches because an anti-reflective coating on the outside is easily exposed to scratches.

The screw-in crown has a new conical shape. The refined look is enhanced by the embossed Ω symbol and a polished finish.

As written above, the opening of the dial has been enlarged (from 29.5 mm to 30.4 mm) by reducing the width of the inner frame. An even more evident new dial feature is the so-called "sandwich" structure where two plates are superimposed: a base layer with Super-LumiNova and a second plate on top with cuttings for the recessed hour markers and numerals.  

Texts on the dial have been reduced to the essentials: just the Omega logo and the Seamaster 300 name. The references to the movement have been moved to the caseback.

Omega also introduced two nods to the long history of this iconic model. The first is the use of the Arabic open style font for the numerals as first seen on early Seamaster 300 models in the 1960s. The second is the lollipop central seconds hand, a feature characterising the stainless steel versions of the Seamaster 300.

The broad arrow hour hand and the tip of the seconds hand are filled with Super-LumiNova emitting a blue glow, just like the bezel's diving scale indicating the time in minutes. Differently, the bezel's dot marking the dive start and minutes hand glow in green for enhanced readability in the dark.

The Omega Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 8912 is visible through the flat sapphire crystal of the screw-in caseback display.

Beautifully decorated with Geneva waves in arabesque, this self-winding movement is equipped with two barrels in series that guarantee an autonomy of at least 60 hours. Featuring a free sprung-balance with silicon balance spring, the Calibre 8912 beats at the frequency of 3.5 Hz or 25,200 vibrations per hour.

Master Chronometer certified by the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology (METAS), each Seamaster 300 timepiece is thoroughly tested for precision, during and after exposure to magnetic fields greater than 15,000 Gauss, for autonomy and for water resistance, guaranteed up to 30 bar (300 metres / 1,000 feet). 

With the Seamaster 300 generation, Omega keeps perfecting one of its most celebrated timepieces by improving both aesthetics and performances. Prices remain aligned to the high standards of the watch: Euro 6,200 / US$ 6,150 with leather strap (ref. 234.32.41.21.01.001) and Euro 6,500  / US$ 6,150 with steel bracelet (ref. 234.30.41.21.03.001). omegawatches.com