Is Omega’s New Special-Edition Watch a Preview of the Seamaster’s Future?

The latest version of Omega’s icon makes several subtle improvements that could appear on the next-gen diver.

Published September 12, 2024

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The Omega Seamaster Diver 300M is one of the most iconic watches in existence.

Debuting in 1993 as the latest in a long line of Seamaster dive watches produced by Omega since its first professional diver in 1957, the Diver 300M rocketed to international fame on the wrist of Pierce Brosnan’s James Bond in 1995’s Goldeneye.

In the ensuing three decades, the Seamaster Diver 300M has become Omega’s most recognizable model next to the Speedmaster Moonwatch and has gone through only a small handful of generations.

Seamaster Geneology

Omega Seamaster Midsize — The ’90s-era Omega Seamaster set the template for what is now one of the most iconic watch models in the world.

Following the OG Bond of the ’90s, there was the ‘tweener model that debuted on the wrist of new 007 Daniel Craig in 2006’s Casino Royale. It introduced a co-axial movement to the line, the ETA-based Cal. 2500, along with an applied logo and indices, longer hands and red dial text, but otherwise looked the same as before.

The next update came in 2012, when Omega launched a brand-new version. While carrying the same movement, this model did away with the famous “wave” dial of the ’90s and replaced it with a smooth lacquered dial. The aluminum bezel was swapped out for a ceramic one (leading to this version’s nickname of the SMPC, for Seamaster Professional Ceramic), and the “tank tread” bracelet became less rounded and more modern-looking.

Fast-forward another six years, and we get to our current generation in 2018. The biggest revamp yet, this version of the Seamaster uses a fully in-house, METAS-certified Master Chronometer co-axial movement that’s visible through a sapphire display caseback.

omega seamaster diver 300m watch review — Omega’s current iteration of the Seamaster Diver 300M is a modern classic.

It keeps the ceramic bezel and brings back the waves to the dial, this time laser-engraved on ceramic. The bracelet becomes even more refined and modernized and adds a quick-adjust clasp. A fitted rubber strap is offered as an alternative to the bracelet, and the case size increases from 41 to 42mm while the mid-size version is discontinued.

The current Seamaster Diver is an absolute rockstar. It’s one of the most popular luxury watches in the market today, and arguably the best watch you can get at its $6K price point. But when you consider that it’s already six years old, and you realize that each of the last two generations of the watch only lasted six years apiece, you may start to wonder what the next generation of the Seamaster will look like.

And having just spent some time with Omega’s latest special-edition release, the Seamaster Diver 300M America’s Cup Edition, I think I might know where the Seamaster is headed.

Omega Seamaster America’s Cup Edition

$6,200 at Omega

The America’s Cup Edition

Similar to its role as the official timekeeper of the Olympic Games, Omega also acts in the same capacity for the America’s Cup; an international sailing competition with nearly two centuries of history.

Also, like with the Olympics, Omega releases special-edition America’s Cup watches to commemorate its critical role in the competition. This contest’s special watch is a Seamaster Diver 300M with a white dial, a blue bezel, and hands that are both red and blue (there’s a bi-color gradient effect on the minute hand).

The watch contains a number of Easter eggs for fans of the yacht race. The counterweight of the seconds hand is in the shape of the America’s Cup trophy, the “Auld Mug.” The logo for the 2024 competition — which is the Auld Mug next to a “B” for Barcelona, where this year’s race is taking place — appears in blue on the display caseback.

omega watch movement seen through a display caseback — If you’re a fan of the America’s Cup, you’ll find plenty of shoutouts on the new watch — most notably on the caseback.

The dive timing markings on the bezel have been updated to function as a regatta timer with two five-minute lead times and a “Start” logo and flag appearing for the final five-minute interval of the 15-minute timer.

These are all fun shoutouts to the competition that should appeal to America’s Cup fans. But even if you have no interest in yacht racing whatsoever, you should still pay attention to this watch.

The Future of the Seamaster?

I don’t believe the next Seamaster Diver 300M will be a massive reinvention. The current generation is super popular and there isn’t much that can be improved upon, so I think we’ll see only minor improvements and tweaks on the watch’s next version. And some of those those changes might be the ones that pop up on the America’s Cup Edition.

First, let’s talk about the strap. At first glance, it appears to be the standard integrated rubber strap that’s available as an option on all current Seamaster Divers — but look closer.

omega rubber watch strap on a mans wrist — As much as I love the rubber strap on the standard Omega Seamaster, I would take this deployant version over it ten times out of ten.

This strap is fitted with a stainless steel deployant clasp and utilizes a minder-less system for a cleaner fit and appearance. Having used both this version and the standard pin-and-buckle strap on my own Seamaster, I vastly prefer the deployant. It’s just so comfortable and attractive.

The strap also features a patented quick-change mechanism that has existed at Omega for three years but has sparsely been implemented — I’m not sure if it’s ever been used on a Seamaster Diver 300M before.

The system consists of a carbon fiber housing and slider. Press the slider down, and it retracts the spring bars, allowing you to remove the strap without the use of any tools. I love it, as it’s easier to use than any other quick-change strap mechanism I’ve tried on other brands, some of which can be downright painful.

closeup of an omega rubber strap and caseback — The quick-change strap system on the America’s Cup Seamaster is the best example of this type of mechanism I’ve used.

On the back of the watch, you’ll notice another change. Instead of the usual Cal. 8800 engraved on the rotor, you’ll see Cal. 8806. This is the no-date version of the 8800, which means — you guessed it — the America’s Cup Seamaster doesn’t have a date.

We’ve seen other no-date Seamasters, and like this version, they’ve all been special editions (e.g. the “No Time to Die“). But the masses are clamoring for a standard no-date option, and if Daniel Craig’s recent Olympics wrist candy is any indication, we’re going to get one eventually.

Finally, we move to the dial. The lack of a date is the most obvious change here from your standard Seamaster, but there’s another change too. Rather than the wave pattern being engraved into the ceramic dial, the waves on the America’s Cup version are raised in relief. This creates a sort of happy medium between the old stamped waves of the original Bond Seamaster of the ’90s and the current laser-engraved version. It’s a subtle change, but it looks fantastic.

closeup of an omega seamaster watch dial — Will the next iteration of the Seamaster feature raised waves and a no-date option?

If I were a betting man — which I am, I’m just not sure where I could place the following bet — I’d bet that the next generation of the Seamaster will come with raised waves, a quick-release rubber strap with a deployant clasp, and the option to go sans date with the Cal. 8806.

But for now, if you want those features, your best bet is to nab the Seamaster Diver 300M America’s Cup Edition while you can.