Which Dive Watch Do You Prefer?

Love the sub, but it’s SMP every time for me.

I prefer this version of the Seamaster 300, because it's closer to the original (& the Spectre). The latest is too fauxtina heavy and too skindiver , with a bulging crystal

Do like the SMP, but round indices just set my teeth on edge (big fail by Omega, really should have released an updated 2254 instead!)

Rolex - hate the brand image & again round indices. Pretty much the only Rolex I like with a rotating bezel is the old "Steve McQueen".

Quite like that the one most similar to mine is the least popular too 😎👍🏼

I prefer the Seamaster 300m from the 90s / early 2000 as they have the perfect thinness of around 11mm. I also own the Submariner (the last one) but I find it a tiny too thick.

Out of those three it would be the Sub. But I am partial to a PO.

I’m a diver watch fan, through and through. I like 14060m and Omega 300m (2000 or 2012 versions).

If I could vote for both Seamasters, a random Fifty Fathoms and a 62MAS, I would. I was a fan of the 14060 I had, but that was 20 years ago, and Rolex isn't what it used to be.

I'm not a fan of the Submariner or the Seamaster Professional and think there are elements of the Seamaster 300 that are a little over cooked design wise.

I love the '57 Seamaster 300 though:

But if I was to buy another re-issued dive watch it be the Longines Ultra Chron - it's absolutely sensational in the metal / on the wrist:

The Omega Seamaster 300 on IG has so many filters it looks super nostalgic but in reality option B is probably better looking with the naked eye in real life

Railmaster. Why? I don't care for 'dot' indices. They're not too bad if they're the same color as the dial.

Plus, the Arabic numbers / numerals really add to the retro look & feel of the Railmaster.

💯! No 'dots' or round indices. At best, make the indices the same color as the dial.

I have both Omegas, love both, was able to buy both for less than buying 1 Rolex Sub (and they were available when I decided to buy them). If the Rolex was the same price and available, I may have a different answer (or may just have bought all three over time). But I have a slight preference for the SMP Diver 300M that I just bought a month ago for several reasons.

Advantage for the SMP Diver 300M:

• The size feels better on my wrist (the SMP Diver 300M is slightly thinner and sits flatter and catches less on sleeves)

• The lume is a little better (the faux aged lume on the heritage version is a little harder to read and does not seem to glow as long at sufficient brightness)

• Indices (similar to the lume issue, the faux aged sandwich style indices look great but in some conditions are harder to read)

• Bezel edge is smoother and does not turn accidentally as much (I don't dive so having to turn manually with gloves is not an issue for me). I have to re-center the bezel constantly on the SM 300 Heritage.

• Crown guard helps prevent accidentally loosening the crown (for some reason I am able to loosen it on the SMP 300 Heritage model sometimes in my sleep)

Advantage SM 300 Heritage:

• I like the classic look and the sandwich dial

• The caliber 8912 is a little better I think (but vs. the 8800, make little difference to me other than a few hours more of reserve)

• No HEV

• I like the 41 vs 42 mm diameter on my wrist a little better in most cases but 42 is fine and the SMP Diver 300M seems to wear smaller than 42...so basically wear the same

• Better for situations that call for a dressier watch (like work) where I am also not trying to call attention to my watch at the same time

• I like the lume on the bezel (the SMP Diver 300M does not have this on the basic model which is a shame....the NTTD version does)

• I like the bracelet better as it tappers (the SMP Diver 300M is nice but very heavy)

Hope this helps 😎

They've still not fixed the bezel on the heritage?!! Mine (previous model) is rubbish, way too light. 🤯- but I've never used it & see it more as a mobile crystal protector 🤣👍🏼

That's USN Diver spec indices, dunno why but I find them "visually grating" , but like yourself I don't mind them so much if they're same colour as the dial - White SMP for example.

Nice to know there's other folks out there with the same opinion 👊🏼

Got to say, I love the dots, the squares, triangles and rectangles indices all the same as long as they are easy to see.

Longines Legend Diver 39 or JLC Polaris

The Railmaster does look a bit like the Seamaster 300 except for the rail track. Omega introduced all 3 professional lines in 1957, but I can only find Seamaster and Speedmaster in the current lineups. Did they discontinue the Railmaster line?

Hi Christian, thank you for the very detailed comparison on the pros and cons of the two Omega models.

I haven't bought any Omega yet and am researching which one I should consider when it comes to the time. By just looking at the specs and the looks, I think the Seamaster 300 Heritage is a fantastic watch for every occasion if it is matched with a pair of brown leather and rubber straps. On the other hand, the Seamaster Diver 300M is much more sportier. Like you, I also don't like the helium escape valve. For non-divers, it is overkill. I will also consider Speedmaster. I found the Speedmaster 57 very good looking. So, still debating whether it should be one of the Seamaster or Speedmaster on my list. It does not have to be a dive watch, as I do not dive. Just like the style.

As I understand it, it's sold today as a Seamaster (sub-genre?). It's called out / distinguished as a 'Heritage' model.

I don't follow.. Do you mean if the dial is black, then the indices should also be black? Would that affect eligibility?

I love the dots, squares and triangles too. They work better for watches that have a sportier style. But the Seamaster 300 Heritage does have a very nice vintage vibe which looks dressier. Both look fantastic. Which one to get really depends on what type of watch I want to buy at the time.

Legend Diver 39 is already on my list for future purchase. Will get it for sure. JLC is one of the brands I love the most, but although I like the style of the Polaris, I won't consider it, as it does not have a screw-in crown. I don't dive and that may not be a big deal, but I still prefer that a dive watch has a screw-in crown. Moreover, I already have a JLC (Reverso) and I do not intend to have more than one watch from a brand at this stage.

At the same time, I want to have an Omega in my collection. I am considering the various Seamaster models, but I may also consider one of the Speedmaster model too.

Thanks for the clarification. I was not very familiar with Omega models, as I have been collecting inexpensive watches mostly in the past and expanded my collection into the luxury and semi-luxury brands just recently. When I browsed the Omega website, I was quite confused by the many model names.. For example, the two models I am interested are both Seamaster 300, but one is called Seamaster Diver 300M, and the other is simply "Seamaster 300". But it also looks like the Seamaster Diver 300M and Seamaster Professional 300M are the same watch.

Given that many Omega models have very similar names, sometimes I am not sure which model people refer to when the model names they refer to cannot be found in Omega current lineups. Some may be just the shortform of a current model's name, but some may be a previous model. So, I am quite confused of what is what. 😕

The Seamaster 300 Heritage looks fabulous! Such a beauty when it is matched with a nice leather strap!

Well, all I can say is it's worth the pursuit. But know you're talking to an Omega fan.

I run into the same thing with the 'Speedmaster' models. There's a ton of them. But on the flipside, there's something out there for everyone, if that's what you're looking for.

Happy hunting!

Yes absolutely! I think this is part of the learning process and also makes it fun! Like for example, in the case of Rolex, I previously had no idea of what is Pepsi or Panda, etc. And now I've got used to these nicknames and even found them quite convenient. It is much better than to quote the reference numbers! Who on earth can remember all these reference numbers! I already bought a few watches but I do not even remember the reference numbers of the watches I own! 😀

I highly doubt Einstein wouldn't have remembered them all either...

Seems like you're already on the side of Omega, maybe an AT?

I was thinking white dialed SMP 👍🏼

Aqua Terra is nice, but after more thoughts, I think I am now leaning more toward an Omega chronograph.

Although I currently do not have any dive watch yet, I plan to get two later (Submariner and Legend Diver 39). On the other hand, I currently only have a cheap quartz chronograph. On my list, I plan to get a nice one later, either a Mille Miglia or an El Primero. So, after more thoughts, I am now more leaning to get an Omega chronograph. At this moment, my favorite is the Speedmaster 57. I like its classic style that goes back to the original model during the pre-Moon Watch years.

In any event, I won't buy it anytime soon. It is just getting a plan on what watches I am interested and thus need to keep an eye on. Sometimes there may be sales, and I won't know until I know what watches I need to track. So, there is still time to think about this.

Okay.. I got it now. Yes, white dial is stunning. Can't really tell which is better. Both the black dial and the white dial are beautiful!