In 1948 the Omega Seamaster Series was born. It was initially created to celebrate Omega’s 100th anniversary. Watches for the most part were not waterproof. Yes, Rolex was already long into its development of the Oyster case and even had proven its worth in the cold waters of the English Channel. However, most watch design companies took much longer to realize the value in making a waterproof timepiece.
Omega Seamaster Series
Omega wanted to make a watch that would survive if it got wet. So, it turned to its World War II timepieces that it designed for the British Military. The O-Ring design of these early timepieces were thought to be waterproof from depths of 30 to 90 feet. Its incredible design and reliability contributed greatly to its international fame and made it an ideal watch for water sports lovers and enthusiasts.
The Omega Seamaster became the oldest brand offered by Omega of any of its lineups. However, the Seamaster actually has many collections within the Omega Seamaster Series itself.
The 8 Omega Seamaster Series Collections
- Omega Seamaster 1948 (1948)
- Omega Seamaster 300 (1957)
- Omega Seamaster Railmaster (1957)
- Omega Seamaster Bullhead Chronograph (1969)
- Omega Seamaster Ploprof 1200M (1970’s)
- Omega Seamaster Diver 300M (1993)
- Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 150M (2002)
- Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M (2005)
The Omega Seamaster 1948
The Omega Seamaster 1948 is modeled after the original Seamaster that was released that year. This is a beautiful timepiece with a 38 mm case. The above model has a platinum case and a grey dial. It is tested to be resistant to magnetic fields at 1.5 Tesla /15,000 gauss. This model was released in limited supply with only 70 units created. However, it has the original dress watch look that the 1948 model had.
It has a transparent case back and both the front and back have a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatments applied. The front sapphire is domed and the back has a flat sapphire. The inner rotor and balance bridge are made with 18k Sedna gold. The unit is powered by an Omega 8807 caliber which has a power reserve of 55 hours, is built with 35 jewels and has a frequency of 25200. It is water resistant to 200 feet.
Like all the new Omegas, the Seamaster is tested by the COSC to be a certified chronometer, but this unit is also certified by the Swiss Fenderal Institute of Metrology (METAS) to have the highest standards of precision and magnetic-resistance. The hour markers and minute, hour and seconds hands are made from 18k Gold. There is another model of the Seamaster 1948 that has a small seconds dial at the 6 o’clock position.
The unit has 19mm lugs for its strap and contains a beautiful brown leather strap. The visible caseback features a flat sapphire crystal which has been laser-engraved and lacquered by hand with a 70th Anniversary logo, a Chris-Craft boat and a Gloster Meteor aircraft that pays tribute to the aviators who placed their trust in OMEGA’s timepieces during World War II. This reference 511.93.38.20.99.002 has a list price of $42,100.
Omega Seamaster 300
The Omega Seamaster 300 was first released in 1957 and it became the first dive watch released by Omega. It has a rotating timing bezel, luminescent hands and hour markers and a water resistance to 600 feet. It has 21mm between the lugs on the 41mm version. The dial color here is black or green. However, the vintage hour markers and luminescent hands are what gives the Seamaster 300 a classic look.
It has a leather strap on the 41mm models and a metal strap on the 39mm version. The rotating bezel rotates in one direction. This model has sapphire crystal on the front and back of the unit and it is water resistant to 1000 feet. It is powered by an Omega 8400 caliber which is built with 39 jewels, and beats at a frequency of 25200, and has a power reserve of 60 hours. The steel version of the Seamaster 300 reference 233.32.41.21.01.002 has a reasonable recommended price of $6,500.
Omega Seamaster Railmaster (1957)
The Omega Seamaster Railmaster was first launched in 1957 and it currently comes with two different designs – one with a 40mm and the other with a 38mm case. The Omega Seamaster Railmaster Co-Axial Master Chronometer 40mm reference 220.12.40.20.01.001 comes with a 40 mm steel case and a nylon fabric strap.
The uniqueness of the Railmaster was that it was made to work next to high electrical fields with magnetic fields greater than 15,000 gauss. It has beige “vintage” Super-LumiNova hour markers around the dial and yet still contains the 3, 6, 9 and 12 Arabic numerals for ease in time calculation.
It is still considered a dive watch since it is water proof to 500 feet. It is recommended to change the strap to a Rubber B rubberized strap and preserving the nylon fabric strap for resale later on. It has a 20mm lugs on the 40 mm case, so any Rubber B strap with a 20mm width would suffice. This classic looking timepiece looks vintage even though it is made new today at a reasonable price of $4900.
Omega Seamaster Bullhead Chronograph (1969)
Launched in 1969, the Bullhead chrono has a unique design. The Omega Seamaster Bullhead Co-Axial Chronometer Chronograph 43 x 43mm reference 225.12.43.50.01.001 features the pushers and winding crown on the top of the timepiece, rather than on the right side – as so many timepieces do. The escape valve is located on the bottom rather than on the left side of the timepiece.
The Bullhead has a steel body and a leather band. The black “sport-chic” dial features a reversed “Clous de Paris” pattern and is visible through a sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on both sides. The date window is at 3 o’clock and there are two subdials at the 12 and 6 o’clock positions.
It is powered by a caliber 3113 with 52 hours of power reserve. This limited reissued timepiece has only 669 units produced. This is a unique looking timepiece and has an exceptional use of both the black coloring throughout and touches of red both on the band and on 2 of the hands on the dial. Listed for $9,600 this 43mm timepiece is a one of a kind and a great edition to anyone’s collection.
Omega Seamaster Ploprof 1200M (1970’s)
If you thought that the Rolex DeepSea was the only deep diver on the planet, think again. This Omega Seamaster Ploprof 1200m Co-Axial Master Chronomerter 55 x 48mm reference 227.60.55.21.03.001 supports a dive depth of 4000 feet beneath the waves. It is powered by a caliber 8912 and features touches of Omega CeraGold on the numerals, on the bezel and on the hour markers.
It comes with two straps including a “sharkproof” titanium mesh bracelet and a dark blue rubber strap. The Ploprof timepiece was launched in the 1970’s and remains one of the best made deep dive watches made today. At $18,000 it isn’t the lowest price diver on the planet, but this sizable timepiece with its mix of titanium and gold would make a stunning dive companion.
Omega Seamaster Diver 300M (1993)
The Omega Seamaster Diver 300 meter collection was launched in 1993 and is every bit as luxurious as a Rolex Submariner. This Omega Seamaster Diver 300m Co-Axial Master Chronometer reference 210.30.42.20.03.001 is made from stainless steel and has a blue ceramic bezel and laser engraved waves on the dial.
It has a date window at 6 o’clock and has rhodium-plated hands and hour markers filled with white Super-LumiNova luminescence to provide visibility at any time. It has a helium escape valve to provide protection when divers return to the surface, allowing the gasses to escape through the side of the watch and eliminating the buildup of pressure that could cause the sapphire glass to pop off and destroy the watch.
Powered by a 8800 caliber, the timepiece provides 1000 feet of water resistance and a rotating bezel in only one direction to help calculate dive times. It has a 42 mm case and 20mm lugs in case you would like to swap the band with a comfortable Rubber B band. At only $5200 this timepiece is a steal for a dive watch, and it comes with a 5 year warrantee.
There are several other Diver 300M models including a 44mm Chronograph, a GMT Chronograph and even a 43.5mm titanium black dial model that comes with an Omega rubberized strap.
Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 150M (2002)
The above Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 150M Master Co-Axial Chronometer reference 231.10.42.21.03.003 has a 41.5mm case and a stainless steel case and band. There are several different flavors of the Aqua Terra 150MM including a GMT Worldtimer, several low cost quartz models, a chronograph, a luxury red gold day date model, and an annual calendar model. The sizes range from 28mm to 43mm.
However, the Omega Seamaster collection, launched in 2002, is geared for people that love luxury sailing and the design features that represent the blue water, sun and the wooden decks of luxury crafts.
The caliber 8500 of this 231.10.42.21.03.003 is visible through the Sapphire crystal on both the front and back of the timepiece. It is resistant to magnetic fields up to 15,000 gauss and is certified by COSC. This one has a date window at the 3 o’clock position. At only $6,000 this exceptional timepiece is an outstanding dive watch for the price.
Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M (2005)
Launched in 2005 and often seen in the James Bond series, the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean is a spectacular dive watch which features an amazing 2000 feet of water resistance and has a sizable 45.5 mm case. The above Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M Co-Axial Chronometer reference 232.32.46.21.01.003 comes with a rubber strap and features a date window at 3 o’clock.
It is powered by a caliber 8500 and has a helium escape valve at 10 o’clock. All of the Seamaster Planet Ocean models contain the date window, but there are plenty of styles to choose from. This reference is priced at a very reasonable $6100, allowing you to own your own piece of the Bond legacy and a spectacular timepiece that is ready for anything.
Rubber B offers a complete array of custom designed rubber bands for the Omega Seamaster collection. Once you find the width of your band from lug to lug (often 18, 20, 22, or 24 mm), head over to our configurator on https://www.b2strap.com/ and design the band of your dreams.
Here you will have access to picking your own color, clasp, design pattern, engravings, and even upload your own design with ease. All of these bands are Swiss made and utilize the patented technology which will guarantee a stunning look and feel for years to come.
