Omega  Seamaster  Watches

Omega Seamaster Watches: Timepieces That Make a Splash

Since their release in 1948, Omega Seamaster timepieces have made a splash in the watch market with their reliable diving complications and robust builds. Omega constantly equips the Seamaster with top-notch materials and state-of-the-art technology that truly sets them apart from their competitors in the dive watch market. 

Vintage Omega Seamaster models touted hard-wearing O-ring gaskets while other dive watches from that time adopted fragile lead and shellac variants. The gaskets made the Omega Seamaster watches invulnerable to underwater temperature fluctuations up to a depth of 60 meters.

Today, modern Omega Seamaster timepieces boast sapphire crystal-protected dials with stable bi- or unidirectional bezels and automatic helium escape valves. These features protect the Seamaster from cracks and leaks in all sorts of underwater situations, whether it is being submerged 300 to 1,200 meters deep or being used in high-pressure decompression diving chambers.

Prices at a Glance: Most Popular Omega Seamaster Watches

How Much Are Omega Seamaster Watches?

With prices that range from low to high, there are Omega Seamaster watches for every segment of the luxury market. For more details, take a look at the Seamaster’s most popular sub-collections and their estimated prices below.

Seamaster Planet Ocean: Rugged and Reliable

The Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean series, launched in 2005, is among the newest Seamaster selections. It consists of statement timepieces suited for professional divers. Characterized by thick ceramic bezels with legible dive scale markings, Planet Ocean watches exude ruggedness and make their wearers look prepared and ready for the deep dive.

Seamaster Planet Ocean timepieces are not just remarkable because of their appearance. They are also great in terms of function, with their stable unidirectional bezel movements. That means when the diving scale rotates, it will not accidentally turn the other way around, messing up diving time measured and compromising the wearer’s safety underwater.

Additionally, the Seamaster Planet Ocean has water-resistance capacities up to a maximum depth of 600 meters and magnetic-resistance up to 15,000 gauss. These impressive ratings are due to the Master Co-Axial calibers. Third-generation timepieces from the Planet Ocean series, including the bestseller Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M Co-Axial Ref. 215.32.44.21.01.001, are powered by said calibers. These movements are METAS-certified, passing the relevant durability tests.

Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean watches paired with stainless steel or rubber straps retail at prices of $5,000 USD to $7,000 USD.

Seamaster Aqua Terra: Elegance in Diving

The Seamaster Aqua Terra series of watches work up to 150 meters underwater even when exposed to magnetic forces of 15,000 gauss. These timepieces were the first in the industry to reach such a high magnetic-resistance rating.

Despite being dive watches, the Seamaster Aqua Terra can also double as an elegant dress watch. Their versatile design is largely because they have less complicated dials compared to those of the Planet Ocean models. The Seamaster Aqua Terra’s face is quite uncluttered and keeps just the essentials, namely the hands, indices, and date window, with refined accents.

Although the Seamaster Aqua Terra is simpler style-wise, it still maintains the Seamaster’s familiar ocean theme. Men’s timepieces such as the Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 150M Ref. 231.10.42.21.01.003 feature dial patterns that resemble wooden ship decks. Ladies’ watches, including the Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 150M Ref. 220.10.34.20.02.001 highlight wave-like dial engravings and sailboat hull-shaped indices.

One extraordinary GMT watch from the series, the Seamaster Aqua Terra WorldTimer Ref. 220.12.43.22.03.001, takes the beauty of the ocean motif up a notch. It features a unique Earth relief design with striking laser-ablated seas.

A basic Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra is listed at $3,000 USD to $6,000 USD. The GMT version, meanwhile, costs nearly $10,000 USD.

Seamaster Ploprof: Depth-defying Water Resistance

The Seamaster Ploprof series is depth-defying, as Omega describes it. These timepieces are for diving up to 1,200 meters deep. That makes them great for professionals who wish to explore depths that amateur divers have not yet ventured to.

Omega was careful to ensure that the Seamaster Ploprof’s impressive water resistance was matched by an equally imposing and secure build. As such, they designed the Seamaster Ploprof with extended cases that had side lockers to prevent the crown and pushers from being accidentally toggled by high pressures in the depths of the ocean. As a result, the Seamaster Ploprof might seem a little chunky, but it is also a truly novel look style-wise. Take a look at the oversized and bold Omega Seamaster Ploprof 1200M Co-Axial Ref. 224.32.55.21.04.001, for example.

Omega Seamaster Ploprof timepieces’ specialized design for deep diving has made these watches the top choice for professionals since the 1960s. The high demand has also raised its price range. Today, you can get a Seamaster Ploprof for $5,000 USD to $10,000 USD, higher than most models in the Seamaster collection.

Seamaster Bullhead: Collectors' Must-Haves

The Omega Seamaster Bullhead series features the most eccentric Seamaster watches ever made. This timepiece’s dial is tonneau-shaped, with external bull horn-like pushers at the 11 and 1 o’clock positions, hence the series’ name. In addition, the crowns of the watch are placed at the 12 and 6 o’clock positions, slightly overlapping the black perforated leather straps with red stitching. The overall design of this handsome timepiece made in 2013 remains faithful to that of the original 1969 variants.

Buyers can choose between the dark-faced Seamaster Bullhead Co-Axial Chronograph Ref. 225.12.43.50.01.001 and light-faced Ref. 225.12.43.50.02.001. A watch from this series costs $6,000 USD to $8,000 USD.

Seamaster Railmaster: Non-Diving Omega Seamaster Watches

With the Omega Seamaster Railmaster series, anyone can master the vast lands. These non-diving watches, originally designed for railroad personnel back in the 1950s, are able to withstand incredibly strong magnetic forces.

Since its relaunch in 2003, the Omega Seamaster Railmaster has been aimed towards  people who want to master everyday fashion. As such, the latest Railmaster models all come in sturdy brushed stainless steel exteriors that exude class. The Seamaster Railmaster Co-Axial Chronometer Ref. 220.10.40.20.06.001, for example, has a finish that is not overly sleek. As a result, it can be used for more than just formal wear.

Some Seamaster Railmaster variants are also a lot more leisurely, with designs that match casualwear such as jeans. One such example is the denim-hued Seamaster Railmaster Co-Axial Chronometer Ref. 220.12.40.20.03.001, with its comfortable denim fabric strap.

The Seamaster Railmaster watches are quoted at $3,000 USD to $6,000 USD and are the most affordable pieces in this collection. 

Are Vintage Omega Seamaster Watches Good Investments?

For investment purposes, the vintage Omega Seamaster watches are definitely a good bet. Historically, the value of Seamaster timepieces has risen by an estimated 10 to 15 percent every two years due to the collection's popularity and the official price increases that resellers base their quotes on.

Experts suggest choosing the basic bestsellers for men as investments. The logic behind this is that more casual or dressy diver’s timepieces are able to attract the wider general market, as opposed to complicated tool watches that might only be appealing to professionals.

That being said, the vintage Omega Seamaster Professional 300M is arguably the most recommended watch for resale. Its simple dial and classic stainless steel or steel-leather build suit all kinds of fashion. Furthermore, this watch remains famous as being James Bond’s watch.

2021 Omega Seamaster: What's New?

The launch of the 2021 Seamaster watches has made watch collectors extremely excited. The best selling Omega Seamaster 300M and dressy Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra series are getting revamped with intriguing new designs and features that make them a must-have for Omega fans. Let’s take a look at the new Seamaster watches Omega has to offer below. 

Seamaster 300

The 2021 Seamaster 300M watches might measure 41mm in diameter, much like the 1950s series of the same name, but they somehow look bigger and bolder when worn. Omega achieves the visual trick of making the black or blue dial look larger by Omega slimming down the case and rotatable bezel.

Another difference between modern and vintage Seamaster 300 timepieces is the bronze alloy diving helmet-inspired case adopted by one of the new models. The straps, meanwhile, come in either thinner stainless steel for a more lightweight fit, or the same quality of leather.

The prices for this series range from $6,000 USD to $11,000 USD, depending on the materials used.

Seamaster Diver 300M Black Black

The 2021 Seamaster Diver 300M Black Black timepieces, as the name connotes, are the first diving watches from Omega that are all-black. That said, luminous material is generously coated over these watches, so that they are still highly legible in the dark and underwater. 

These timepieces have dials that highlight PVD-coated markings. They also integrate must-have diving complications, including a laser-ablated dive scale bezel and helium escape valve. 

Style-wise, the extra detailing on the timepieces is still noticeable even if done on all-black materials. The dials and rubber straps have prominent wave patterns and straight grooves, respectively.

These monochromatic watches go for $8,000 USD and are expected to be popular even among non-divers.

Seamaster Aqua Terra

With the release of the 2021 Seamaster Aqua Terra watches, Omega seeks to change the series' image to better suit women’s tastes. 

These new Aqua Terra watches, from the dials to the bracelets, come in pink and red hues that are typically loved by ladies. Moreover, their bezels are now fully embellished with luxurious diamonds to complement the 18K Sedna gold and stainless steel cases.

The new Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra series for women is quite expensive. The watches go for $15,000 USD to $20,000 USD because of the precious gemstones used.

Omega Seamaster’s History: King of the Deep Since the 1940s

Seamaster watches are worthy of being called kings of the deep, for they have been providing wearers with better diving experiences since the 1940s.

These watches’ legacy started with the first Seamaster in 1948. The original Seamaster model was inspired by World War II British military timepieces. It looked like a regular dress watch but outperformed those when underwater. This stainless steel Seamaster had the unique O-ring gasket that made it submersible to depths of 60 meters and it was the sole watch that remained accurate in water temperatures between -40°C and 50°C. The original Seamaster’s achievements led to later iterations being used as the official timepieces of the London Olympics that year.

In 1956, a Seamaster successfully traversed the North Pole while attached to an aircraft. It was a publicity stunt that cemented its reputation of being a durable timepiece.

The following year, the Omega Seamaster 300, Professional, and Railmaster series were launched. These timepieces were all water-resistant up to 300 meters and had stable unidirectional bezels for safe diving. The Seamaster 300 became the most popular out of the three because it was worn by iconic explorer Jacques Cousteau while navigating the Red Sea.

In the 1960s, the Seamaster Ploprof watches were made. The most iconic model was the Seamaster 600 Ref.166.077. It had the signature chunky asymmetrical case with crown and pusher protectors and 600 meters of water resistance. While it was not designed to go 1,200 meters deep like the post-BaselWorld 2009 variants, this watch was adored by professionals who frequently dive for long periods. 

In 1969, Seamaster Bullhead timepieces were unveiled. They stood out for their integration of quirky tonneau-shaped heads with easy-access top pushers for greater diver convenience.

During the 1990s, the Omega Seamaster collection received the best possible exposure, allowing it to truly stand out from other diver’s watches. The Seamaster timepieces made several appearances in James Bond films, starting from 1995 all the way up to 2015.

With the popularity of the Seamaster collection skyrocketing because of the media, Omega released more watches in 2005. The Seamaster Aqua Terra and Planet Ocean series were introduced. The former featured 150 meters water-resistant diver’s timepieces that were also designed for use as dress watches. The latter was a curation of watches with big rotating dive scale bezels and 600 meter water-resistance ratings, geared towards professional divers.

In 2017, the Omega Seamaster collection turned 60 years old. This milestone led to a BaselWorld launch of limited editions. The anniversary watches closely resemble the first Seamaster timepieces but possessed modern complications that made them more formidable underwater.

5 Reasons to Buy Omega Seamaster Watches

Patrons usually choose Omega Seamaster watches for diving or everyday use. There are many reasons for this and listed below are five of the best:

1. They are accurate amidst depth and temperature changes.

2. They are functional yet stylish.

3. They were used in the Olympics and by famous personalities.

4. They stand the test of time.

5. They are from a reputable brand that has been in the industry since the 1800s.

The Omega Seamaster and James Bond

Omega Seamaster timepieces are also known as James Bond watches. Several models were worn by actors Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig – two generations of 007s. 

The Seamaster watches and respective James Bond movies they appeared in are as follows:

1. Omega Seamaster Professional 300 in 1995 movie Golden Eye

2. Omega Seamaster 300 Automatic Chronometer in 1997 film Tomorrow Never Dies, 1999 movie The World Is Not Enough, and 2002 film Die Another Day

3. Omega Seamaster 300 in 2006 movie Casino Royale

4. Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean in Casino Royale, and 2008 film Quantum of Solace

5. Omega Seamaster in 2002 movie Skyfall

6. Omega Seamaster 300 Spectre in 2015 film Spectre

Omega Seamaster: Must-have for Braving the Seas

Seamaster watches have become the go-to accessories for divers and watch enthusiasts who want to brave the seas. These timepieces have been making diving safe since the 1940s, and over the years, Omega has only done an impressive job upgrading the accuracy and durability of the Seamaster to meet divers’ changing needs.