Omega Seamaster Diver 300 M Co-Axial Chronograph 41.5 mm Mens Watch 212.30.42.50.01.001

Great watch. Great Seller
Excellent and very well designed. Super high quality. I recommend this seller too. They are very reliable and very fair. Excellent service.

Would not buy again
Doesn’t keep time

Omega Seamaster Pro Chronograph is a classic and solid watch that’s now even better than ever!
I have this Seamaster Pro Chronograph and it’s one of my favorites. I owned the previous version of Seamaster Pro Chronograph in black, and the white gold sub-dial rings and markers really set off that dial; but in general the older dial with the wave pattern was not as legible as the new glossy dial, which combined with the glossy ceramic bezel is much more attractive and refined looking to me.The 42mm size is just right, as 40-42mm watches look best on my 7.3″ wrist. And this is one of my best looking watches, if not for the Bond style bracelet. I far prefer the older 1610/930 “speedy” style Seamaster Pro bracelet from the older model 2254. Unfortunately I tried that bracelet and the end links do not mate with the case head properly because the watch is so thick (although it works with my non-chronograph version of this watch). The clasp works nicely, and it does include a diving extension. It comes with removable full links and half links, to get the size right, but no micro-adjustment like some newer Omega and Rolex watches.Speaking of thick watches, you may have some trouble getting it to slip underneath a long sleeve dress shirt. It’s not really any thicker than an Omega Planet Ocean with the 8500 movement, but the non-chronograph version of the Seamaster Pro is a bit thinner. The scalloped bezel on this watch is easier to slip under a shirt sleeve than the coin edged bezel of the Planet Ocean, so that helps make up for the thickness.The markers and hands have decent lume, that while not nearly as bright as my Planet Ocean, they still glow throughout the night with brief exposure to bright sunlight or a bright flashlight. I’d still prefer my watches to glow in dim light like they’re electrified, such as when going from bright sunlight into the shadows or indoors, like the older 2254 models or Planet Oceans.What is really nice is that the sub-dial hands now have lume as well, so you can now use the stopwatch and see the continuous seconds hand and minute/hour timer hands in the dark. While the hour markers on the dial and the hour hand glow blue, the minute hand and bezel dot are both green in the dark, to make them easier to separate when taking a quick glance in the dark.The new 3330 movement is quite accurate for an automatic wind mechanical watch, and I only have to set the minute hand back about 1 minute about once a month. That’s about +2 sec a day and well within COSC specs. The quick date set is placed within the center of the helium escape valve, and it’s a recessed pusher that you use the included pointy tool to depress and make the date jump forward (similar to watches with the Valjoux 7750 movement). I have not tested the power reserve to zero yet, but it have taken it off for almost 2 days without sticking it on the watch winder, and it was still running when I put it back on. I don’t recall if the reserve is 50 hours or 60 hours (my Hamilton is 60).Speaking of Helium Escape Valves (HeV), this watch uses a manual valve unlike the automatic valve on a Rolex Dea Sea Sea Dweller. The HeV is a small crown that can be rotated open to allow high pressure helium out of the watch, after being used inside of a high pressure diving bell. Professional divers may spend time in a pressurized diving bell, using a helium/oxygen breathing atmosphere. The helium molecules are so small that they can squeeze past the rubber gaskets and equalize the pressure inside the watch.But when the diving bell is raised back to the surface and the atmospheric pressure drops, then the pressure inside the watch can be so great that it causes the watch to pop apart, sometimes dramatically. So you open the valve as the bell is taken to the surface and the helium can escape, until the inside of the watch is at normal atmospheric pressure at the surface.Note – the 300M water resistance will be compromised if the valve is not screwed down or closed when in the water, and the watch will be only 50M resistant with it open. It should only be opened (unscrewed) while in a breathable environment, such as inside the diving bell. The winding/set crown is also screw down like the HeV to improve WR, and while the chronograph buttons look like they can be screwed down and locked in place they don’t. However, these pushers can be operated at full diving depth, unlike most other dive chronographs!Omega has enough faith in these that they upgraded the standard warranty from 2-3 years to a full 4 years, while recommended service intervals is every 5 years. A service by Omega for a non-chronograph watch currently runs $525 and includes 2 years of warranty after the service, but for this watch they will tack on another $200 for a routine service.Omega service includes making the case and bracelet look like new again, with the proper polished or brushed finish where appropriate. The benefit of the older version of this watch was that the 1164 movement was easily serviced by independent watchmakers for a lot less money, being Omega’s COSC version of the Valjoux 7750 movement, and it’s not clear yet how the modified movement with coaxial escapement will fare with these guys.

Five Stars
The best watch I have ever owned. Heavy but NOT bulky. Always noticed when I wear it. Beautiful craftsmanship and it Shows. Rides nice on the wrist, I have this same watch in the 44mm version, so easy to read. and night viewing is very clear with well lit markings. If your only ever going to buy one high end watch I would tell the Omega seamaster or speedmaster should be it.