The OMEGA Seamaster 300M in Summer Blue
Since the 1995 release of Goldeneye, OMEGA has been the official watch of the Bond franchise—and the SMP300M which kicked things off with Pierce Brosnan, has frequently been Bond’s watch of choice during the last three decades of film. For this, and other reasons, the OMEGA Seamaster 300M holds a special place in the watch pantheon.
Last August, as enthusiasts wrung their hands in anticipation of an anniversary release, theories and wishlists for a new 300M were bandied about. Would there be a return to the 41mm case? An aluminum bezel insert (like the one we saw in the Bond 60th Anniversary Edition)? What would OMEGA do with the case back?
In the end, what we received was a concept release featuring all models in the Seamaster Collection and a new “Summer Blue” colourway tied to each timepiece’s water resistance rating.
Tweaks, to be sure. Iteration rather than renovation. But now, as the waters still, it is a good time to revisit the OMEGA Seamaster 300M 75th Anniversary.
The Bond Watch: OMEGA Seamaster 300M 2531.80
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Key Features of the OMEGA Seamaster 300M 75th Anniversary
Like the other watches in the Seamaster Collection, the 300M remains faithful to more contemporary versions in terms of case design and sizing introduced in 2018. The case is 42mm in diameter and rendered in stainless steel with a mix of brushed and polished surfaces. It is 49.9mm lug to lug, and a relatively chunky 13.6mm in height. Oddly, however, I have never felt that the 300M was a large watch. In fact, on my 6 ¾” wrist, it feels quite comfortable.
The bezel insert remains polished ceramic—which is only slightly disappointing, in that I really like the more satiny appearance of aluminum. However, the case back, which was previously and controversially swapped out for sapphire, returns to a solid screw down iteration. This time around, it features a redesigned version of Jean-Pierre Borle’s 1950s Neptune astride two Hippocampi—a motif shared across the commemorative line.
However, in the 75th Anniversary Edition the colour is ultimately the story. The dial maintains its laser-etched wave pattern, but adopts a grainy fumé burst of Summer Blue to reflect its 300m water resistance–in place of the solid, polished hues of past references. The hour markers and sword hands, while unchanged in their design, also assume a colour change. Here OMEGA has opted for a lagoon blue that blends subtly into the dial without sacrificing its legibility.
It’s a feature that really pops once you turn out the lights, offering up a long-lasting azure glow.
And though we can no longer see it, OMEGA have equipped the watch with the Calibre 8800. The co-axial movement is a Master Chronometer and METAS-certified. It offers up a 55-hour power reserve and is also anti-magnetic to 15,500 gauss.
The watch comes on a familiar stainless steel bracelet that includes a foldover clasp and a comfort setting adjustment. It also includes a diver’s extension.
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SPECS
| Case | 316L Stainless Steel 42mm Diameter 49.9mm Lug to Lug 13.6mm Thick 20mm Lug Width Screw Down Crown & Case Back 300m Water Resistance |
| Dial & Crystal | Sapphire Crystal Gradient Dial Applied Markers Sword Handset Super-LumiNova |
| Movement | Calibre 8800 METAS Co-Axial Master Chronometer 35 Jewels 25 200bph 55-Hour Power Reserve |
| Strap | Stainless Steel 3-Link Bracelet /w Micro-adjusting Clasp |
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Final Thoughts
Enthusiasts tend to dream big when they know a limited edition anniversary issue is in the wings, but the OMEGA Seamster 300M in Summer Blue offers only subtle changes. While on a personal level, I’d love to see a return to the aluminum bezel insert with a simple dive scale, I do really like the case back here. And of all the various Summer Blue colourways in the new collection, I was most surprised with how much I really like this one in the metal. Renders simply did not do it justice. In the end, what we have in the 75th Anniversary edition is a handsome reference of a great diver. Who can complain?
Pricing & Availability
The OMEGA Seamaster 300M 75th Anniversary Edition retails for $6300 USD on the bracelet. For more information, please visit the brand website.
About the author
Brent Robillard is a writer, educator, craftsman, and watch enthusiast. He is the author of four novels. You can follow him on Instagram.
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I’ll pass thanks.. I think my 20yr 2254.50 out shines this. TBH Omega are coming out with some strange designs ATM whilst the likes of Longines Spirit line are more appealing and at half the cost.
I hear you. Very little compares to the 2254.50. And no one is a bigger fan of the Spirit Collection than me. You can add to that the redesigned HydroConquest GMT. Thanks for stopping by 👊