My First Omega, Seamaster 300 42mm "Seaweed"

[BillA]

Backstory: I have in the past bought Rolex but am so tired of dealers charging over msrp and walking into AD's and feel like I am doing them a favor to buy a watch. I wont pay over msrp for a watch, but that is me, others can do how they wish with their hard earned money.

So I looked for other brands, came across this. Never been an Omega fan until now. This Seamaster 300, with the 42mm diameter case caught my eye. It is available with a black, blue and white dial. The white is kind of nice also, but the green is unusual, but unusual not to be offensive and over the top. Sometimes when you look at the watch it all looks black but in good lighting it is a very cool green. The dial, bezel, and rubber strap are all green. If you wanted to call it a green color, maybe it is "evergreen". The green version model number with the green rubber strap is: 210.30.42.20.10.001.

I am blown away at the detail of the wave-like dial. The markers look like they are floating on the dial. The hour and seconds hands have that skeletal look and the lume is strong. The bezel is not round but has cutouts along the way. The watch has a good thickness and Omega smartly "brushed" the SS on the sides of the casebook as to limit scratch sitings. Most SS sport Rolex watches are polished and show scratches like crazy. The date is small, there is no cyclops to magnify.

The watch is not heavy, not light and has good presence on the wrist. The green rubber strap is extremely comfortable. Some people have commented they bought the watch with the SS bracelet and buy the band as an extra. The only caution there is when removing the strap or bracelet it would be easy to scratch up the lugs because in this case the rubber band is tight against the lugs. The tang clasp is basic, also brushed with the Omega symbol on it. When putting on the watch one has to be careful not to let it slip and drop because the "pin" in the clasp in not long, I would call on the short side, so be careful you have it engaged in the hole. I would not call the band short nor would I call it long. If you have a fat wrist I would definitely try it on first and think you may want a longer strap, for me it is OK, just have to be careful putting it on. The strap is substantial and when you put the pin in the hole, I don't see any lasting indentations.

The watch has a see through casebook. I never got excited about that because when you wear the watch you obviously don't see it, but the movement looks good and solid.

Bottom line, I think this watch could give the Rolex Submariner a run for its money, surely the price is less and Omega can be bought from dealers on this and other forums at a discount. I like that!!!

I am terrible at taking pictures and resizing, so sorry no pics but go to the store and give this watch a chance. Check out the other colors.

Edit: I must say this is my first impression, just got the piece. I want to add something about the inner box, it appears to be a wood laminate and heavy! Very substantial. The outer cardboard box is substantial, has some marking on the underside, but this was a surprise, it said the outer box made in China! I think for a Swiss piece, a bit unusual, but it is what it is. We don't wear the boxes. Also when you look inside there appears to be an inner box with a clasp that folds and unfolds, I think this was designed to put the watch on the pillow, fold up the inner small box and use it for travel. Great design.