Over the last few years, Omega has been on a roll like no other, at least in its price range. We’ve heard some complaints about their prices creeping up towards Rolex territory; however, they keep pumping out interesting watches with strong technology to back them up. One of their latest releases, announced at Baselworld 2014, is the Omega Seamaster 300 Master Co-Axial. Without sounding hyperbolic, the SM300 Master Co-Axial is arguably the best sport watch release from 2014, and we were lucky enough to get our hands on one for review.

In my mind, dive watches tend to fall into two general categories: serious divers and spiritual divers. Serious divers exceed standards, are extremely legible, and are made to do a job (think Rolex Deep Sea Sea-Dweller or Omega Ploprof). Spiritual divers meet most dive watch standards, but may not be ideal for diving – mostly serving as a good-looking watch to wear for many occasions (think Maurice Lacroix Pontos S Diver or Cartier de Calibre Diver). The third category, which happens to be the most exclusive, can pull of the other two with ease. I dub this category “classic diver”. Watches like the Rolex Submariner, Blancpain Fifty Fathoms, and IWC Aquatimer ref 3548 fit easily into the “classic diver” category, and I’d like to now nominate the SM300 Master Co-Axial for membership.

It’s bold to call it a classic already, but Omega really covered all bases with this vintage revival. Starting with the case, it’s the perfect size for a modern sport watch, sitting at 41mm wide, 48mm lug-to-lug, and 15mm thick. It’s larger than its vintage predecessor, but right for today. My wrists are about 6.75”, and it fits perfectly. Sticking to the original design, Omega maintained the straight lugs, and avoided crown guards. The lugs are just the right length to work with a NATO strap (or any other strap, for that matter). The bezel is maybe a bit thicker than it needs to be, but the uni-directional action is crisp, and has almost no “play”. Of course, one of the biggest upgrades from the original CK2913 is the liquidmetal bezel, which has a highly polished, yet still legible, appearance.

My complaints about the case are few, but I would have like either 20mm or 22mm lugs, if only to increase stock strap options. You can always have straps custom made, but it’s nice to have the option for cheap, interchangeable straps once in a while. I like the straight lugs and their vintage looks, but I might have chosen to brush the tops of the lugs, and polish the sides of the case instead. Reason being, if you were to get the centerlinks brushed, it might throw off the overall look of the watch. In other words, brushing the centerlinks would leave the tops of the lugs the only polished surface, possibly causing the lugs to look out of place.

If I had a favorite part of the watch, it’d probably be the dial. Omega rightly maintained the dial aesthetics of the CK2913, but made a few changes to bring it to the 21st century. First off, the luminous markers and hands are “aged”, or have faux-tina. I’ve heard a lot of complaining about faux-tina, but it doesn’t bother me in the least. In fact, I love it. Why can’t they be colored? Why does lume have to be white? I guess it’s one of those “love it or hate” things. At any rate, the other major characteristic of the dial is the sunken hour markers. Up close, the dial appears to be of the “sandwich” type, just like many Panerai dials. However, the hour markers are cut out and filled with lume, rather than using a luminous disc below the dial, giving a sunken appearance. It’s a great look that adds depth to the dial. Finally, I love the broad arrow hands. A marquee symbol of Omega’s sports watches of the late 1950s, the broad arrow hands complete the old school aesthetics.

Following my favorite part of the watch, let’s go to my least favorite: the bracelet. Okay, this one is hit and miss at the worst. I’m not a fan of polished centerlinks. I think a lot of folks would agree with me that Omega should have toned down the polished surfaces, especially on the centerlinks. It takes away from the dive watch intention to a degree. With that said, I’ve started to get used to the look, and they bother me far less than they did initially. On the plus side, the bracelet is very comfortable, and the micro-adjustable clasp is quite useful.

Powering the SM300 is Omega’s flagship caliber 8400. A silicon hairspring, fully anti-magnetic movement, and 60 hours of power reserve add up to one of the best movements in its class. The only thing holding me back from saying it is in fact the best is that it’s too young at this point. On paper, it’s hard to beat, but I’ll give it a few more years of production before I go that far. Another feature I absolutely love about the movement is the quick-change hour hand. Before the time-setting crown placement, you have the ability to move the hour hand by itself, making timezone and Daylight Savings changes a breeze. And although it may be a bit industrial looking, the caliber 8400 is nicely finished and fun to watch through the exhibition caseback.

Okay, so the watch is good looking; but can it dive? The short answer is yes. That thick bezel I mentioned will be easier to turn with gloves on than anything thinner. While the minute hand could have benefitted from more lume, the overall strong glow should be able to handle underwater reading. Regulated to chronometer specifications and water resistant to 300m, the SM300 should act as a rather reliable submerged timekeeper.

The Omega Seamaster 300 Master Co-Axial is the full package. A capable dive watch fit for just about any wrist, and any occasion. I’ve tried it on a multitude of straps, and have yet to find one the SM300 looks bad on. If you had any thoughts about making this one the next watch in your collection, you’re unlikely to be disappointed.

I really think the SM300 Master Co-Axial is an instant classic. But, what about you? Let us know in the comments.

by