True Summer Blues: The Stunning New 75th Anniversary Seamasters from Omega (Part 2)
Last month, Omega unveiled its 75th-anniversary Seamaster line. However, given the size of this collection, Watchonista decided to split its coverage into two parts. Yesterday, we discussed the new Planet Ocean and Ploprof models. Today, let’s take about the new Seamaster 300, Diver 300m, and Aqua Terra models.
By Mike Espindle
Executive Editor
Encompassing and touching every single aspect of the Seamaster family in seven new timepieces (well, 11, if you include a new recycled fishing net plastic strap options available on some models), the new 75th-anniversary Seamaster models from Omega were pretty breathtaking, especially when you consider the two additional themes that tied the new line together.
The first theme is that they all share the same scintillating color that the brand calls “Summer Blue.” And the second is that each 75th-anniversary Seamaster model has a unique, gorgeously etched (or outlined in the case of the very deep-rated models) steel caseback depicting Poseidon riding two seahorses on the crest of the waves.
Finally, given the size of the anniversary collection that was unveiled in Mykonos last month, Watchonista split its coverage into two parts. Yesterday, we discussed the new Planet Ocean and Ploprof models. Today, let’s take about the new Seamaster 300, Diver 300m, and Aqua Terra models.
The Seamaster Diver 300m Co-Axial Master Chronometer 42mm
What this flexible diver sacrifices in extreme depth rating, it more than makes up for in burly gravitas and waterborne style.
Don’t get me wrong, the 42mm all-steel Seamaster Diver 300m is impressive and still packs a lot of the same professional-quality dive features of the Planet Ocean 600m (even at half that watch’s depth rating, a 1,000 feet depth rating is still plenty deep for most divers). However, it just seems better suited for a dual role, one beneath and one above the waves.
The PVD-treated blue ceramic dial gets an artful wave-pattern finish, bringing out the lighter, fun side of the 75th-anniversary line’s” Summer Blue” theme. So, let the new 42mm Seamaster Diver 300m help you make your cool blue impression for $6,300 on a steel bracelet.
The Seamaster 300 Co-Axial Master Chronometer 41mm
Although it’s the mid-range model of the new 75th-anniversary line, the new Seamaster 300 Co-Axial Master Chronometer 41mm packs as much historical and classical gravitas as the higher-priced heritage-derived Seamasters detailed we discussed in Part 1 and above. As such, this new Seamaster 300 might be the “sleeper” of the bunch.
It all starts with Omega’s classic Trilogy product offerings from 1957. That was the year Omega released a triad of professional watches (the Railmaster, Speedmaster, and Seamaster) and established itself as a premier maker of reliable and stylish tool watches forevermore. And down to its mid-century font for the cardinal hour indices and its classic arrow-hour and blade-minute hands approach, the 75th-anniversary 41mm Seamaster 300 oozes heritage authenticity that just doesn’t go out of style.
The fact that this model takes to the “Summer Blue” anniversary color theme with much aplomb doesn’t go unnoticed. I don’t think you could have produced a timepiece in 1957 with this rich colorway, but if you could, you are looking at a fine example of that wish.
Finally, with a price tag of $7,400 on a steel bracelet, expect to find a METAS-certified calibre 8912 movement helping the new Seamaster 300 Co-Axial Master Chronometer 41mm continue Omega’s legacy into the modern day.
The Seamaster Aqua Terra 150m Co-Axial Master Chronometer GMT Worldtimer 43mm
While this 43mm steel Seamaster Aqua Terra 150m variant gives up some of its “Summer Blue” dial color to a gorgeously textured golden North Pole-down view of the Earth, it is no less “of the line” than its standard time siblings.
First, a silver-toned double ring of global destinations covers its global time-keeping duties. Meanwhile, additional globe-shaped markings and a day-night indicator ring using dark and light blue play into the “Summer Blue” thematic tone of the 2023 Seamaster line quite well.
The bigger question is, do you need a dive-ready watch that is also a world-timer at all?
I mean, when it comes to the Aqua Terra 150m Co-Axial Master Chronometer GMT Worldtimer, which comes with the Calibre 8938 chronometer movement and a $10,100 price tag on a steel bracelet, it is more of a why-not than a why. That said, globe-trotting dive fans will certainly make good use of the GMT function as they make the rounds from Sharm el Sheik to Key West to the Great Barrier Reef.
The Seamaster Aqua Terra 150m Co-Axial Master Chronometer 38mm & 41mm
Although these final two Aqua Terra models are the entry-level pieces of the 2023 releases, ignore them at your own peril. After all, Omega’s use of the motto “Precision at Every Level” for these 75th anniversary Seamaster models isn’t empty rhetoric.
In fact, on closer inspection, the more accessibly priced Aqua Terra Co-Axial Master Chronometer 150m 38mm and Aqua Terra 150m Co-Axial Master Chronometer 41mm offer a potent one-two punch of legitimate dive watch functionality (150 meters of water resistance, screw-down crowns, etc.) and presentations of the “Summer Blue” color theme that are just as enticing as their higher-priced siblings.
Both feature the stalwart Omega 8900 calibre movement; the 41mm model lists for $6,600 on steel, while the 38mm execution lists for $7,000 on steel.
Pricing & Availability
While purchasing the new line of 75th Anniversary Seamaster models via the brand’s website was not yet possible at press time, you can add your name to the “wish list” via the website. However, you will soon be able to find them at select brand retailers as the line’s roll-out continues. To learn more, visit the Omega website.
(Images © OMEGA)
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