Omega Seamaster Diver 300M: A review of the sturdy diver's watch that even Bond wore.

Gressive editor-in-chief Masaharu Nabata reviews the Omega Seamaster Diver 300M, which features an aluminum bezel ring and dial and was released in 2024. What are the capabilities of this diver's watch, which was also worn by Bond in the film?

The Seamaster Diver 300M's moderate weight gives it a sense of fulfillment

　The current trend in the watch world is toward smaller diameters and simplification. However, when it comes to diver's watches, it seems they cannot be easily swayed by trends, considering their durability and visibility. The Omega Seamaster Diver 300M, the subject of this review, has a case diameter of 42.00mm, which is still rather large. However, this dial does not have a date display, and the crisp, compact layout with its large luminous indexes made up of a combination of bars and dots and massive hands with luminous tips is still appealing.

　Moreover, the case is stainless steel and the bracelet is a thick stainless steel mesh, so the total weight is quite heavy at 155g (according to Nabata). However, a light watch is not necessarily a good thing, and if you think of this moderate weight as the weight of a high-end diver's watch, it's not a burden, but rather leads to a sense of fulfillment.

　While the stainless steel mesh bracelet is commonly referred to as "Milanese," I believe the name "Shark Proof," a name long used by Omega, is more appropriate. However, Omega's documentation reveals that the term "Shark Proof" is used for watches with higher water resistance, such as the Seamaster Professional 600 (Editor's note: a diver's watch manufactured by Omega in the 1970s, commonly known as the "Ploprof"). Compared to that bracelet, the bracelet on the Seamaster Diver 300M certainly has flat mesh on both sides, making it a bit more stylish. However, compared to the Milanese bracelets found on typical dress watches, it's 2.5mm thick, making it extremely strong. While it's unclear whether it would protect against a shark bite, it certainly possesses the sturdiness and durability to be called "Shark Proof."

　Usually, when ordering a watch for impressions, you are asked to provide your wrist circumference, but this time, the watch was handed over without any further explanation. I was wondering, "How do I fit it to wear?" All I had to do was open the double-push open buckle, align the bracelet holes with the appropriate positions, and close the buckle to complete the adjustment. This simplicity was a great idea. While I think it's a unique feature of mesh bracelets, with link bracelets, when you want to stretch it a little more, it can be difficult to remember where you put the removed links back in. With this bracelet, you can avoid that problem right from the start.

　Another feature of this model is the wide variety of bracelets and straps available, including mesh, such as a five-link stainless steel bracelet, rubber strap, or striped NATO strap, allowing you to change the strap to suit your preferences and the occasion.

How does it perform as a diver's watch?

　So how does it perform as a diver's watch or outdoor watch? First of all, daytime visibility is outstanding. As I mentioned earlier, the large indices and thick hands stand out clearly against the laser-processed wave pattern on the dial, making it extremely easy to read the time. Next comes visibility at night or in the dark. This is also excellent. If you go into even slightly dark places, the luminous paint on the tips of the indices and hands will glow pale blue, making it easy to read the time. As you'd expect from Super-LumiNova, which boasts high brightness.

　Of course, the timekeeping accuracy is also extremely reliable, with no issues whatsoever, as evidenced by the fact that this model has passed Master Chronometer testing.

　Master Chronometers are certified as official chronometers by being tested by the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC) in accordance with the international standard ISO 3159, meeting precision standards of within -4 to +6 seconds per day. The watch itself, equipped with the movement, then undergoes eight tests set by the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology (METAS) over a period of 10 days or more, certifying that the accuracy is within 0 to +5 (or up to +7) seconds per day and that its accuracy does not deteriorate even when exposed to strong magnetic fields. This certifies the watch's high functionality, capable of withstanding magnetic fields of up to 15,000 gauss and maintaining high accuracy over long periods of time.

A reliable companion for Bond and for us.

　Last but not least, this Seamaster Diver 300M is the model worn by James Bond in the 2021 film "No Time to Die." In fact, the watch Bond wore in the film was a titanium edition of the Seamaster Diver 300M, with both the case and bracelet crafted from Grade 2 titanium, making it a lightweight model that didn't interfere with Bond's dramatic action. Furthermore, in the film, the watch featured a gimmick that emitted a powerful electromagnetic pulse from a coil built into the back of the watch, shutting down all networks. While no such device was installed, the Seamaster Diver 300M, which can withstand strong magnetic fields, is impressive enough to make you think it might be possible.

　The Seamaster Diver 300M is a sturdy diver's watch that even Bond used to wear. There's no doubt that it's a truly reliable companion for us too.

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He is the editor-in-chief of Gressive, a website introducing authorized retailers of brand-name watches, and a leading watch journalist in Japan. He has been covering large-scale Swiss watch exhibitions since 1994, and his insights are unparalleled in the industry. In addition to writing feature articles for the Japanese edition of Chronos, he also serves as a judge for the "Chronos Top 10 Ranking" at the end of the issue. In recent years, he has switched from being a dog lover to a cat lover. He is the co-author of "The Story of Cartier Watches."