Omega Seamaster 300

The Omega Seamaster is not Omega's first approach to produce waterproof diving watches. In fact, even as the earliest Aqualung units were still being vetted, Omega was producing its waterproof predecessor to the Seamaster, the Marine.

It's commonly known among watch-collecting tables that the Rolex Oyster was the first waterproof watch to be invented; however, many don't know that the Omega Marine was the first waterproof watch to be tested and certified as such.

But the Marine was complex. Too complex. The early gasket systems were faulty and the case design (a slim movement that was inserted into a two-piece outer case that snapped together) wasn't reliable.

It wasn't until the 1950s that diving would become a global phenomenon, and with it, the need for a new, reliable watch for professional and amateur divers alike. Early interest in the sport, rooted in the widespread fame of pioneers like Jacques Yves Cousteau was fueled by the exploits of adventurers, oceanographers and aquanauts like Jacques Piccard, Don Walsh and Robert Sténuit.

Omega went back to the drawing board and created a new watch in the hopes of competing with long-time rival Rolex for a place among divers. The new watch was released in 1957 and dubbed the Seamaster, alongside Omega's two other offerings from the same year, the Speedmaster and Railmaster- all three of them icons in their own right to this day.

While the Seamaster collection of waterproof watches had been in production since the 1940s, the Seamaster 300 released in 1957, the Reference CK 2913, was a turning point for the line, and in turn, Omega. Finally, they had created a robust, reliable diver with mass appeal. The CK 2913 was produced for several years successfully, until it was replaced with the CK 14.755 in 1960 and finally the Reference 165.014 in 1962.

Like its bretheren, the Speedmaster and the Railmaster, the Seamaster was constantly evolving in its earlier years, with cosmetic tweaks and new subreferences appearing virtually every year. Combined with the batch manufacturing of the era, there are a variety of configurations and subtle changes for contemporary collectors to hone in on.

Also of note is the bezel. For those familiar with Seamaster 300s, the name 'Aldo' is well-known. For years, 'Aldo' bezels have been prized for their incredibly precise restoration of the rarely intact Bakelite inserts. Where factory-original SM 300 bezels can trade for more that $4,000 on the open market, 'Aldo' bezels command several thousands owing to their incredible fidelity to the originals and their acceptance among Omega collectors.

Early examples of the Seamaster 300 are becoming exceedingly difficult to locate, and most that trade hands are stratospherically valued. This watch, coming from a personal cache, is an excellent option for the collector looking for a great looking, approachable example of this historic divers watch.

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International Buyers

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All of our watches include complementary insured shipping within the 50 states.

Most of our products are on hand and will ship directly from our headquarters in New York City. In some cases, watches will be shipped directly from one of our authorized partners.

We generally ship our products via FedEx, fully insured, within 5 business days of purchase. An adult signature is required for receipt of all packages for insurance purposes. Expedited shipping is available at an additional cost. We are also happy to hand deliver your purchase in Manhattan or you may pick it up at our showroom.

Returns must be sent overnight or by priority international delivery, fully insured and paid for by the customer. A restocking fee may apply. Watches must be returned in the same condition as initially shipped.

We welcome international buyers, please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.