This is a wear review of the Seamaster Diver 300M Paris 2024, released by Omega to commemorate the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, which will be held in the summer of 2024. This watch makes the owner aware of its "exclusive" and "luxury" qualities down to the smallest detail, while also offering excellent utility, giving us a glimpse into why Omega has established such a solid position in the watch market.

Text & Photographs by Chieko Tsuruoka(Chronos-Japan)
[Article published on January 16, 2024]
Omega Seamaster Diver 300M Paris 2024 wear review!
Omega, which has served as the official timekeeper of the Olympic Games since 1932, has released special editions to coincide with these international sporting events in the past. Some readers may remember the Seamaster Aqua Terra Beijing 2022, which was released to coincide with the 2022 Beijing Olympics, and the diverse commemorative models released from three collections - the Seamaster Aqua Terra, Seamaster Planet Ocean, and Speedmaster Professional - for the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.
The model I'll be reviewing today is a special edition for the Olympics: the Seamaster Diver 300M Paris 2024, which was released last August to commemorate the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, scheduled for this summer.

Automatic movement (Cal. 8800). 35 jewels. 25,200 vph. Power reserve approximately 55 hours. Stainless steel and 18K Moonshine™ gold case (diameter 42mm, thickness 13.7mm). Water resistant to 300m. Price: 1,375,000 yen (tax included).
This model belongs to the Seamaster Diver 300M collection, and as its name suggests, it is a diver's watch with a water resistance of 300m. It features a unidirectional rotating bezel and a helium escape valve, making it suitable for saturation diving. Like many Seamaster Diver 300M models, the glossy ceramic dial features a laser-etched wave-like pattern. However, it also features special details specific to Paris 2024. For example, the bezel, case back medallion, and indexes are made of 18K Moonshine™ gold (the hands are PVD-coated with 18K Moonshine™ gold).

18K Moonshine™ Gold is a colored gold made from Omega's proprietary alloy, and by increasing the palladium content, it is brighter than regular 18K yellow gold, yet is resistant to aging. As will be discussed later, the case back is set with a medallion reminiscent of the Olympic flame, which adds to the special feel of the watch. This medallion is also made of 18K Moonshine™ Gold.
In this article, we'll be reviewing the special Seamaster Diver 300M.
A watch that reveals the reasons for Omega's success

When I was thinking about writing my impressions of this watch, the first thing I was looking forward to was being able to experience my first gold watch, specifically Omega's 18K Moonshine™ gold, on my wrist. There's something exhilarating about having gold on your wrist. However, I was also concerned that the weight of the watch would increase, putting more strain on my wrist.
Before,Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra Shade 38mm model reviewWhat surprised me most about wearing the Aqua Terra was the vibrant color of the dial (the Shade series has vibrant dial colors) and the way the case and bracelet are carefully finished with a mix of polished and hairline finishes, giving it a luxurious feel. In addition to the positive impression I had of the design, I was also very satisfied with the feel and performance of the watch.
Before wearing the Seamaster Diver 300M, which I'm reviewing today, I thought my review would be primarily based on its utility. However, I was concerned that its 42mm diameter and 13.7mm thickness might be too much for my 14.7cm wrist (it's important to note that this isn't too big for a diver's watch, and is actually a standard size). Furthermore, as mentioned above, due to the use of gold in some parts, the actual weight with six links removed was 180g. Watches that are too big or heavy for one's wrist often feel uncomfortable to wear. This is especially true for me as a woman whose usual watch weight is between 40 and 90g.

However, this model also maintained a good wearing comfort. Of course, with a diameter of 42mm, it protrudes slightly from the flat surface of the wrist, but the crown is not too large and does not interfere with the back of the hand. Also, the overall length is short, the lugs are curved to fit the wrist, and the center of gravity is low, so there is no strain on the wearer.
However, I feel that the quality of each watch manufacturer has improved significantly recently. There are not many watches with sharp edges that feel uncomfortable against the skin, and it is rare to see a watch with a loose crown or one that is extremely difficult to operate. Thanks to advances in machine tools, even low-priced watches can be finished with high-quality finishes, and there are also brands that pursue excellent wearing comfort.
The list price for this Seamaster Diver 300M Paris 2024 model is 1,375,000 yen (tax included). Have you ever wondered why people would choose to buy a luxury watch when there are so many high-quality watches available at more affordable prices? Omega, in particular, is one of the most successful luxury brands, boasting an extremely strong presence in the watch market.

Why is Omega successful as a luxury watch? The answer will vary depending on the user, and there is no single answer. However, while wearing this model, one answer to the question "Why would I choose Omega out of all the watches available?" (Strictly speaking, I "want to choose" it, since I haven't actually purchased one yet) became clear.
The answer is that Omega watches excel in both luxury and practicality, and we can sense Omega's mature watchmaking technology, which is why we are willing to pay Omega's price and choose Omega. The reasons why so-called luxury watches are expensive include the high level of finishing on the exterior and movement, the intricate details such as the indexes and hands, and the large number of parts in the movement.
Even with the advances in machine tools, the quality of the finish still varies depending on the level of surface preparation, and the more expensive the watch, the tighter the clearances between parts. As such, Omega products are endowed with elements that enhance the satisfaction of owning a luxury watch.
In fact, this model not only has a cool and sophisticated design, but also the lustre of the polished finish on the intricate case shape, hands, ridges and bracelet center, the shine of the 18K Moonshine™ gold, the tight clearance between the case and bow tube (the part that secures the case to the bracelet), the distinctive frosted finish surrounding the clearly raised scales and logo on the bezel and case back...these are details that are typical of luxury watches, and you can tell that they are well-made, making the finish justify its price of 1,375,000 yen.

Furthermore, the details that create the special feeling of this model for the Paris Olympics further enhance the satisfaction. For example, the black numerals on the calendar disc at 6 o'clock use the font used in Paris 2024. Also noteworthy are the medallions and engravings on the case back. The commemorative design features an 18K Moonshine™ gold medallion reminiscent of the Olympic flame, as well as the engravings "Paris 2024" and the Olympic rings.
Although the case back is screwed down, Omega's patented Naiad Lock system ensures that every watch is always installed in the correct position. Because it is a special model, this kind of consideration is a welcome point for buyers and embodies the pride of a luxury watch brand.
In addition to this so-called "luxury," Omega's dedication to practicality makes the price even more reasonable—in fact, it feels like a good deal. The comfort is perhaps the most important aspect. Practicality and price don't necessarily correlate. Comfort, in particular, can be influenced by wrist size. While this watch varies from person to person, it felt perfectly comfortable on my admittedly large wrist. Furthermore, in addition to being water resistant to 300m, it's equipped with the Master Chronometer-certified automatic movement, the Cal. 8800, which boasts ultra-magnetic resistance, making it more than practical for everyday use. This watch demonstrates Omega's uncompromising approach to watchmaking, not only striving for a "luxury" exterior, but also uncompromising usability. I feel like I've caught a glimpse of the reasons for Omega's success.

We will also review the practical aspects
As such, this is a high-end watch that shows the success of Omega. Now that I've covered the design and wearing comfort, I'll go into more detail on other practical aspects.
First, let's talk about legibility. As it's a diver's watch, the dial is clean and simple, yet the powerful hands make it very easy to read. The ceramic dial, the 18K Moonshine™ gold-coated and faceted hands, and the diamond-polished indices all contribute to a sense of luxury. This design not only gives it a luxurious feel, but also creates a contrast between the dial and indices, improving readability. While the contrast isn't particularly strong, the indices aren't lost to the dial, making them easy to read even in sunlight. The indices and hands are coated with Super-LumiNova, ensuring visibility in dark places.

This model also boasts excellent usability thanks to Omega's new quick-change system. While recent luxury watches with metal bracelets have a tight clearance between the case and the bow tube, this lack of space is characteristic of high-end watches, making them extremely difficult to remove and attach. However, this model's quick-change system allows the user to easily remove the bracelet and case without tools, facilitating maintenance and strap changes.

Also, pay attention to the clasp, which is Omega's patented rack and push extendable folding clasp, which can be extended or retracted by pressing and moving the "PUSH" part.

Furthermore, the fact that it is equipped with a Master Chronometer certified movement, which has become standard equipment for Omega, is a major practical advantage.
The Master Chronometer certification is given to watches equipped with COSC-certified movements that undergo eight rigorous tests. The watch's magnetic resistance, which means it can function without loss even in a magnetic field of 15,000 gauss, makes it a reliable companion in today's world, where magnetism is a common cause of malfunctions in many mechanical watches.
The accuracy of the watch was also good, with the watch being worn for about 14 hours a day, showing +1 second after 24 hours and +2 seconds after 48 hours.
If I were to nitpick at this watch, which has nothing but praise to offer, it would be that the crown is small and somewhat difficult to operate. However, the mainspring wound up well while wearing it. The power reserve is also standard at approximately 55 hours, so if you wear it every day, you probably won't feel the need to use the crown to operate it. Also, since the bezel is made of 18K gold, care must be taken to avoid scratches, but if it were your own, it would be cool to wear it hard and finish it off with your own unique scratches.
This is a special luxury watch that we can confidently recommend!
We reviewed the special Omega Seamaster Diver 300M, released to commemorate the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
This watch is full of the special feel of 18K Moonshine™ gold and the Olympic Edition, while also featuring Omega's signature elaborate exterior and excellent practicality. This watch gives us a glimpse into one of the reasons why Omega is currently enjoying such great success in the watch market.
If you are considering purchasing an Omega watch or a gold model, I highly recommend this book as it will give you a glimpse into Omega's high-end watchmaking.

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