Life Of The OMEGA Seamaster In Modern Times

Photo Credit

The Seamaster is the longest-running product line still produced by Omega. It was introduced in 1948, and was loosely based upon designs made for the British Royal Navy towards the end of World War II. The original Seamaster's key feature was an O-ring gasket used to provide its waterproof seal. By the mid-nineties, the Omega brand regained its popularity in the watch market since the Omega Seamaster 300 was selected as the 'James Bond Watch'. The Seamaster was originally made and worn by the British Royal Navy, which is more relevant to James Bond's character. In 2018, Omega celebrates the 70th anniversary of the Seamaster and the 25th anniversary of the Seamaster Diver 300M, a.k.a the James Bond Watch.

Omega Seamaster 1948 Limited Editions Photo Credit: Omega Watches

Modern Seamaster collections:

Seamaster Professional, Seamaster Planet Ocean, Seamaster Aqua Terra

OMEGA SEAMASTER PROFESIONAL 300

Omega Seamaster Pro 300 Photo Credit: Omega Watches

- Introduced in 94, most well-known from the Bond movie worn by Pierre Brosnan 95 James Bond, Goldeneye

- All of the standard (time/date) and chronograph models include the helium escape valve at the 10 O’clock hour mark.

- The GMT does not include the escape valve, but still maintains the 300m depth.

Omega Seamaster Diver 300M James Bond 2019, Photo Credit: Omega Watches

- Most common standard automatic versions use an Omega modified ETA 2892

- Initial move was called the Omega 1109, but in 1996 Omega replaced it with the Omega 1120

- 1109 was updated to 1120 to fix a winding flaw and add a rhodium finish to certain parts for extra durability

- In 2006, Omega started fitting Seamaster Pros with their improved Co-Axial Omega 2500 (also based on the ETA 2892).

Omega Seamaster Diver 300M Photo Credit: Bobswatches

- Each of the Seamaster Pro models watches sports a unidirectional rotating bezel, originally with an aluminum insert.

- In 2012 Omega started releasing the Pro models with a ceramic insert.

- Wave patterns blue or black dials (common)

- The 41mm and 36mm Pro’s are available in automatic or quartz movement.

- One can quickly figure which movement it has by the presence of "Chronometer" on the dial of the automatics.

- The Seamaster Pro models are available in 4 sizes, with the 41mm wide, 13mm thick case being the most common and popular by far. The Chronograph is 42mm wide, 16mm thick.

- The mid-size measures 36mm wide, 12mm thick.

- The scarce ladies measure 28mm wide, 10mm thick and is only fitted with a quartz movement.

- KEY feature for the Seamaster Pro would be the helium escape valve at 10 O’clock. Most people will never use this feature. It is truly designed for professional use in pressurized chambers.

OMEGA SEAMASTER PLANET OCEAN

Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Deep Black 2016, Photo Credit: ch24.pl

- The Planet Ocean was introduced in 2003 and had the Omega 2500 Co-Axial movement from the start

- Omega increased the case size to enable the line to go deeper into the ocean, with a water resistance of 600 meters. The Planet Ocean (and the Aqua Terra line) are the first Seamasters to get the latest features, such as : ceramic and LiquidMetal bezels, the Si 14 silicon balance spring

- More of Bond in 2006 Casino Royale and the Seamaster Planet Ocean 600 was worn

Liquid Metal Planet Ocean 2009 1948 Limited Edition 42mm 14mm Thick Ceramic Bezel, Photo Credit: ablogtowatch

- 42mm model that was limited to 1,948 pieces and while it debuted the Liquidmetal ceramic bezel, it ran on the outgoing caliber 2500 movement which kept the watch at 14.2mm-thick, which is slimmer than the later caliber 8500 Planet Ocean’s 15.7mm.

- What is Liquid Metal? As a malleable protective alloy applied over the ceramic bezel, it not only strengthens the ceramic and prevents discoloration, but also seeps into the engraved indices and numerals

- In 2011 Planet Ocean, the movement adopted the use of a silicon hairspring.

- Same year, a 37.5mm case joining the existing 42mm and 45.5mm cases; titanium case models; and the introduction of blue and white bezels and dials.

OMEGA SEAMASTER AQUA TERRA

Photo Credit: thewatchcompany

- Considers being more of a versatile collection in the Omega Seamaster family.

- Sporty, classy, luxurious, and reasonably priced.

- Smooth dial design with a stainless steel case and equipped with the chronometer-certified Co-Axial caliber 2500 movement. The watches have a screw-down crown and water resistance of up to 150 meters. The automatic version had a see-through case back, while the quartz version featured a solid case back.

- In 2008, Omega gave the Seamaster Aqua Terra its first upgrade since its launch in 2002. They added vertical patterns to the dial. And they replaced the movement with the in-house Co-Axial caliber 8500, which boasts a power reserve of 60 hours.

- Omega introduced the Aqua Terra 15.000 Gauss 2013, powered by its newly launched anti-magnetic Caliber 8505 movement. As its name suggests, the watch features a magnetic resistance of more than 15.000 Gauss.

- The third design upgrade came in 2017 with some major changes, including equipping the new models with the new METAS (Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology)-certified Caliber 8800 movement. We will discuss this in detail later. The look was also updated - the vertical lines were replaced with horizontal patterns inspired by the deck you see in luxury yachts. Meanwhile, the date window was moved from 3 o'clock to 6 o'clock.

Different Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra Collections

1. Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 150M Men's Collection
2. Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 150M Ladies' Collection
3. Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 150M "Ultra Light" Collection
4. Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra Golf Collection
5. Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra Goodplanet Collection
6. Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra >15'000 Gauss Collection
7. Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra Worldtimer Collection

This is a shortlist of the growth and development of Omega Seamaster watches, hopefully, can give you some basic ideas of their function and features. If you want to know which is the best Omega watch to buy? I will stick to Omega Seamaster 300, a precious gift from my Mom when I was graduated, and it runs well even now. 

Written by Sam, image sources as noted

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