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DrStrong
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Fifteen Years of Seamaster 300

The Seamaster 300 is not only a legend among the Omega models, it is also an icon for all the diver’s watches collectors. It was born in 1957, with all the characteristics of a toolwatch: a large stainless steel case with a screw on back, a very thick crystal, a rotating graduated bezel, a black dial with numbers and luminous indexes and very legible hands. It was first issued under reference 2913 as waterproof to 200 meters, like the Rolex Submariner of the same period.

In 1965, a new version of the Seamaster 300 was launched, with the reference 165.024: it was fitted with a new movement (cal. 565, with or without date), a wider bezel and a larger case identical to the new version of the Speedmaster.

In 1970, the development of professional Scuba diving watch lead Omega to upgraded to watch and launch the Seamaster 600 under the reference 166.077, with a monocoque case of a revolutionary shape, a monolithic mineral crystal and a rotating bezel with red safety pusher. The dark blue dial and oversize orange hand gave the watch a very unique look. The ultimate evolution of the Seamaster will be the Seamaster 1000, produced in very few examples.

Here are my three generations of Seamasters side by side. The evolution of the size is obvious, as well as the common characteristics (like the funny hands…).

The side view emphasizes the differences in case thickness and structure:

It is worthwhile to notice that if we aligned versions of the Rolex Submariner and Sea Dweller  ranging from 1962 to 1977, there would be much less differences than for the Omega Seamaster. Indeed, the design of the Rolex Submariner and Sea Dweller has remained quite the same over the years, whereas the evolution has been much more spectacular for the Omega Seamaster.

The caseback engraving is another characteristic of the Seamaster (a common characteristics of all Omega sportswtaches, like the Speedmaster and Railmaster). The earlier model has a flat back, my example having the additional military F.A.P engraving:

The 165.024 has a more rounded caseback, but with the same Seahorse logo engraving and text:

Here are some details about my watches, provided by the Omega Museum archives in Bienna:

The early Seamaster is a reference 14755 that was delivered in 1963 to the Fuerza Aerea del Peru.

My later model is a reference 165.024 and was sold in 1968 to China, which is probably very rare.

I have already told the story of my one owner Seamaster 600 in details here. An amazing watch with a unique history and full diving records:

omega.watchprosite.com

The movement was manufactured in 1972 and the watch was sold in Spain in 1977.

Let’s finish this fifteen years time line with some Seamaster advertisings through the years, again the evolutions is quite remarkable:

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