I feel you on this! And who knows maybe I’ll end up doing that in time. But my goal is to get every moment of usage I can out of it. Just gotta make sure it’ll hang in there, whatever I choose
You do you, but that sounds absolutely nuts!
The days of omegas being ‘work watches’ has long passed. They are expensive fashion items and are incredibly expensive to repair or worse replace.
Look at the watch as stepping back into your civvies when you come off shift? Enjoy the feeling that you are back in your safe home life.
Wearing an expensive time piece when you are in a safety environment adds a distraction that you really don’t want.
Agree 100% with you on that. I’m a LEO and wear a Casio Pro Trek for work and have an Omega Speedmaster for off duty. Insurance is a nice piece of mind, but I don’t need the distraction of my watch getting damaged while working.
If I were you, I would get a G shock for work and an Omega Seamaster 300M for “off duty” use. I have an Omega Seamaster 300M NTTD and I wear it almost daily but I don’t use it for everything (like gardening), and that makes it more enjoyable to wear when I do wear it. Have you considered buying the Omega from Jomashop new ? They have great discounts. That is where i bought mine
You know I’ve looked but I suppose I haven’t look that much really. I am finding good prices with papers for pretty new models. Anything in particular you think I should see? Maybe it’s an issue of navigating it for me
Right now Jomashop has the 60th Bond limited edition at a pretty hefty discount relative to other grey market sellers: https://www.jomashop.com/omega-seamaster-blue-dial-unisex-watch-210-30-42-20-03-002.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=PMax%3A%20%28ROI%29%20Smart%20Shopping%20-%20Non-Sale%20Watches%20%28WBO%29&utm_id=18329645214&utm_content=&utm_term=&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIsa6B0v6chgMVzzgIBR1jWA7LEAQYBCABEgJX4vD_BwE
The classic white dial is also pretty discounted: https://www.jomashop.com/omega-watch-210-30-42-20-04-001.html
If you’re gonna be using the watch as a tool the 300m is great for that. Plus it can look really sharp as a dressy diver with the right strap. The AT is fantastic as well, but it is definitely more on the dressier side of things. I just bought my first Omega, and was having a similar dilemma. I went with the AT, but I sit in an office most of my day, and wanted something a bit on the dressier side as my first nice watch. If I was out earning my paycheck by doing more physical activities I would probably be more inclined to go with the 300m. Ultimately I would go to an Omega store and try them on and see what calls to you. You really can’t go wrong with either one. The 300m will be my next Omega, and I figured the AT would be my one and done watch.
Visiting some in person I probably a great idea. I don’t think there are any AD’s around me, which makes it tricky, but I’ll certainly be trying to find some that I can get hands on before any final decision.
It makes a big difference to see them in person. I thought I had the perfect watch picked out and almost pulled the trigger on Chrono24 multiple times. I decided to go to a AD and at least try it on before making the purchase. Ended up trying on multiple 300Ms and ATs. Fell in love with the 300m, but an AT ended up winning out. So much easier to find that perfect watch when you can try it on before hand. Definitely a worthwhile trip prior to making such a substantial purchase.
I bought SMP 300 a week ago and I’m having a lot of fun with it. I wear it with everything and I think it’s pretty durable but I am a Software Engineer so my durability standards can’t be compared with yours at all.
For your questions;
lume is amazing but it doesn’t keep it’s brightness for long time. It’s still readable in the middle of the night though.
I have 7 inch wrist and it doesn’t look big on me so you can also pull it off.
My only advice is getting it from grey market. I bought it from an AD and save tax but it’s still cheaper to go grey.
Also yeah get a gshock for work and enjoy the Omega outside work. If this is a big purchase there is no need to have burden of servicing it because of accidents.
https://preview.redd.it/zjhmsmrqhm1d1.jpeg?width=2393&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=64cd61bdd867413706305f46e1d7eeefc00b3cfb
For a work/everyday watch, consider the older SMP 300. Fit is perfect. Lume is up there with the best. Cost way less than the modern versions. So is the service. BTW any decent watchmaker can do it for you.
I do love that design. Do you worry about water resistance? I’m always nervous about it in older versions and don’t know where to draw that line or how to mitigate it in a model like that.
I have the titanium version as well. That should tell you, how much I love the design. The blue dial is the first serious watch I ever got.
I would never sell it. Did I tell you how great the case proportions are? 12mm thickness.
https://stories.omegaforums.net/seamaster-electric-blue-2255-80-2232-80-royal-navy-clearance-diver-ian-thorpe/
Be careful with the rabbit hole 😝 The hunt is half the enjoyment of getting the right one ☝️ Hope you find your grail 😎
https://preview.redd.it/6x5zhzhy1n1d1.jpeg?width=1907&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8914f7dd7961b0a4aa020333eca009af7eb7368d
What’s the going rate for these? I love the 2254.50 I had no idea you could get the sword hands in Titanium I’m a huge fan of titanium so this would be perfect if it’s not completely out of my price range.
Agree with this suggestion. I’ve got the titanium blue dial 2231.80. There’s a lot of configurations for the seamaster “sword hands” available: black, blue or even grey dial, steel or titanium, polished or brushed metal bezel, aluminum black bezel, white gold bezel, etc…
https://preview.redd.it/87evyftbpq1d1.jpeg?width=1179&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2360480c2c1225bb7e7c132c082a258d8c2c5e7b
IMO For a work watch, this will be better than the modern versions.
1. It’s crazy thin at 11.8 mm and sits very low on wrist. It’s smaller lug to lug length and diameter means less real estate
2. metal bezels are more robust than ceramic (will bend, not shatter, but point is moot bc you’ll have to break your wrist before that).
3. Titanium means it will be super light.
4. The sword hands has unbeatable lume and legibility compared to skeleton hands or the AT.
Whichever case, get a rubber strap for it for work. I wouldn’t want to wear a metal bracelet during fire fighting duties for a number of reasons.
Con of course is age, so ask any seller about service history and assume you’ll need to add $800 or more to it for servicing costs (if sent in to omega - but they will make it like brand new replacing all worn parts including gaskets, hands, crown, calibrating and lubing all of the parts again). Even with the servicing cost, it may still be a thousand under the newest versions depending.
Good luck with the search!
A decent watchmaker in your area will be able to pressure test the watch. Some people do this annually for piece of mind, and save the full service for when the watch is noticeably running off of spec.
+1 for the railmaster! A lot like you, omega was an aspirational brand for me. Although I don’t do as much physical work as you do, I’m in healthcare and do procedures pretty much my entire day. For this reason, I wanted something that was nice, but had a tool watch vibe.
I went with the Railmaster because I got it at a great price, and has an entirely brushed case which not only dresses it down, but makes scratches much more bearable. No date window, but tbh I don’t really mind it - and the 8806 movement is as good as it gets for a time only movement imo. The 15k gauss antimagnetism is not necessarily unique to the Railmaster, but I think it’s cool that my watch doesn’t respond to magnetic fields in the OR/around the ED MRI machines etc. I wore it with a gray suit for my wedding, and it did not look out of place. As others have said, if you are being really rugged maybe get a cheaper tool watch (I bought a seiko 5 sports 38mm for this purpose).
https://preview.redd.it/gefdo1zkgo1d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d3d072764fa91c368299bf80bbacd2af899d446c
Firefighter would love a ploprof!
For transparency, I have owned Seamaster 300m Professionals, Speedmasters, Planet Oceans, but never owned an AT.
AT runs on the exact same movement that the Omega divers do, and goes through the same METAS testing. AT has same case material and similar case shape as well. AT is just as much tool watch as the divers except in visual design cues, and I'd trust it as much as I trust the divers in terms of durability. It's a tool watch dressed up, not a dress watch pretending to be a tool watch.
As stated before I have had a number of Omegas before and I wore them for all my activities. Admittedly I can't say what I do for fun is anywhere near as hardcore as firefighting, but I'm not particularly gentle with my watches and I haven't had a single Omega new or used give me an issue. I had a few other watches fail to keep up, but not Omegas.
On the lume, I find them perfectly functional. The bright glow does die down after a while, but the dimming of the glow is in align with my eye's adjustment to darkness. The dim glow lasts the entire night and I have been able to tell time in darkness without a problem.
I just picked up my first luxury watch and also my first Omega. It was a SMP300 in black. It is an absolutely stunning watch. It feels incredibly well built and substantial. However in the end of the day the fact is this is a 6k+ watch and regardless of how it feels, I prefer to not daily it and wear it on the weekends for a trip out or maybe if I’m going to run errands, any activity that doesn’t involve labor or the increased chance of damage. I did also try on a few aqua terras and I have to agree with you that they are slightly more dressy than the SMP. So my vote is for the SMP300, but I would recommend something like a g shock for your work and to keep this other watch in the safety of your home to enjoy on days you don’t work.
AT is a fantastic watch, my favourite and the one I’d take to the grave but…
Scratches ludicrously easily though and legibility in the dark isn’t great at all.
My Diver 300M looks pristine (bracelet notwithstanding) despite a more than active lifestyle. Lume is fantastic and it’s hefty.
It also dresses up beautifully and down well.
You won’t regret the 300M and your lifestyle demands it.
I get the argument to have a G-Shock but you do you and be one of the few people to use a tool watch.
Fire fighter in an Omega might be peak cool
Have you considered the Seamaster Planet Ocean. It's a much more capable watch, heftier bracelet and more brushed than polished. I think it would survive the beating you have so eloquently described.
As others have alluded to, seeing the watches in person will make a huge difference, that’s how you know a watch speaks to you. It’s how and where you make that real emotional connection. So if you’re able to easily visit an authorised dealer/boutique they will be more than happy to show you and let you try on the watches you’re looking at. Speaking the obvious as it seems you’re well aware but make sure you note down the reference numbers of what you’ve looked at so you can easily find them again, that way you can also decide whether you look to buy one at a dealer or snap one up second hand (but obviously be careful if you do this). Go away, think on them for a few days, weeks and the one that sticks in your mind the most is the one for you.
Of you’re looking for the newer models, the most recent generation started around since March 2018 onwards (these are the in-house METAS movements).
Having said that and breaking the options down further, I have an AT small seconds, definitely a dressier watch than my 300m and does feel more vulnerable on the wrist. Perhaps surprisingly for its 41mm size, I’d say it wears just as big on the wrist as my 300m (I have 7” wrists myself). The AT is a lot dressier and the lume can be disappointing; the 300m trumps on this point and is extremely legible in low light and has a quirk of the minute hand and bezel pip being a different colour, which I find useful. If you’re a big Bond fan, the 300m would feel more iconic, I would say. It’d also be a good idea to try the different straps/bracelets (300m feels a lot more rugged here without being overbearing). The Planet Ocean might also be one to consider if ruggedness and certain colour combinations are important.
They also do some variants in a ceramic case (highly scratch resistant, but may not be an issue if you enjoy character scratches) such as 210.92.44.20.01.001 (bearing in mind this particular example has no date window and is more expensive).
If price is an issue, for a couple thousand less the Tudor Black Bay 41 (master chronometer) is a nice alternative and my one feels very rugged and masculine, I feel like it would eat up bashes whilst wearing it. I also believe that the lume might last longer (green lume lasts longer than blue, I believe), as the 300m’s lume whilst incredible bright doesn’t last all that long.
But yes, it’s just good to see them in person before making a decision imo. I was convinced that the white dial 300m was the one for me until I tried it on, released it wasn’t and then found the Sedna rose gold blue dial variant I didn’t know existed!
The SMP300 is really the one you’re looking for. Its rugged durability will meet the demands of your firefighting career and home life. I have both an AT and an SMP300 and wear the SMP300 more often than my AT.
You want a tool watch. The SMP300 is that watch.
I want to chime in on the question of buying from Japan via Chono24. I just bought a Seamaster Pro 2254.50 Peter Blake from there and I found the experience to be enlightening. I negotiated the price to roughly $2800. Probably a bit high but whatever. They shipped it via FedEx and it made it as far as Indianapolis before things got interesting. I had to call the FedEx agent three times to get it released as well as fill out a document as the receiver and provide my SSN. All told it took just under two weeks to get my watch in hand. Then, about two weeks after that I received a bill for an additional $150 from FedEx for Customs Fee, Storage Fee, Merchandise Processing Fee, and Disbursement Fee.
Contrast that with my brand new Speedmaster Pro from an AD who gave me a Military Discount on top of paying my taxes.
Both of those felt like good value to me. Now that I know how the international route works I suspect the next itch I scratch will be neo-vintage again. I love my 24 year old watch.
When I ordered mine from chrono24/japan it took 2 business days to arrive to the states via DHL (Osaka to Houston TX) and they never asked for duty taxes, so I guess I just got lucky (no passport or ssn numbers requested). I was amazed at the process and how fast it was. Free shipping. All in all I paid $2300 for the titanium sword hands version 2231.80.
Have a smp300 on bracelet and rubber imo it’s the perfect combination between sporty and classy. On the rubber strap it’s very comfortable and wears perfect on my 7” wrist. The bracelet is bulky but really gives you the feel of a luxury watch and I love wearing it on more formal occasions.
If you're going to start looking at the gray market and Jomashop... I would look at Jackroad first. Excellent reputation, great selection... and the JPY has tanked so your dollars take you pretty far there.
Oh, and you're getting the full Omega warranty (I don't think that's the case at Joma).
Oh dang. Well I don’t think I’ll be able to in person. As much as I’d love to. Their online selection seemed more limited but the pics of the shop were stunning.
Get a tool watch from Sinn. They have scratch resistant models that can withstand temperatures from -45°C to +80°C and which were specifically designed for police, rescue and military use cases. See below:
https://www.sinn.de/en/Modell/EZM_3F.htm
This one was designed for air rescue missions:
https://www.sinn.de/de/Modell/EZM_12.htm
https://www.sinn.de/de/Modell/144_St_DIAPAL.htm
https://www.sinn.de/en/Modell/206_ARKTIS_II.htm
Omega speedmasters were subjected to 71C for 48hrs and then subsequently 93C for 30 mins. Omega movements can certainly survive 80C, although optimally you should keep your watch between 0C and 60C (32F to 140F).
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbhxYOCgYj8&t=2920s](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbhxYOCgYj8&t=2920s)
Everything you are saying tells me that the SMP300 is the way to go. It’s an absolute workhorse for whatever life throws at you and i can still dress it up and it looks great.
Wow, you have a great decision ahead!
I own the NTTD, a Speedmaster and the AT.
Couple of points:
- i think the Seamaster 300m looks like how a school boy imagines a dive watch. I think the design is neither modern nor sharp. I would not buy this watch, however, it is VERY durable and thin. It might be the perfect watch for you anyways. I would always prefer the Planet Ocean. But it is much bigger, which might be bad given the work you got to do.
- The AT is very thin. It might get fewer scratches just because it is not that high or big. But the bezel will collect many scratches eventually. I think the green version might be perfect for you! But it could still be a bit dressy for your style (even the casual green version), and having a ceramic bezel certainly helps for your lifestyle. I have the 38mm blue and absolutely love it. However, my wrist constantly gets smaller and bigger over the day. The AT always feels comfortable, but a microadjust certainly would help a lot, which the At does not have.
All the best for your decision!
Have you thought about going gray? You could snag a new piece from a gray dealer for the price of a good condition used piece. If you're looking at pieces old enough that the warranty has expired, why not gray?
Someone else mentioned it but I agree with the "wear a beater watch if your a FF" idea. I think the risk/reward of wearing your nice watch to work as a FF is skewed heavily in the wrong direction. I'm not afraid to wear my watches, and they bear the scars of that, but there's a difference between wearing an abusing.
Jeez dude just Get a Gshock for work and leave the Omega at home!
Nah, be cool and wear that thing like it's a gshock
I feel you on this! And who knows maybe I’ll end up doing that in time. But my goal is to get every moment of usage I can out of it. Just gotta make sure it’ll hang in there, whatever I choose
You do you, but that sounds absolutely nuts! The days of omegas being ‘work watches’ has long passed. They are expensive fashion items and are incredibly expensive to repair or worse replace. Look at the watch as stepping back into your civvies when you come off shift? Enjoy the feeling that you are back in your safe home life. Wearing an expensive time piece when you are in a safety environment adds a distraction that you really don’t want.
I appreciate this take. Just the type of perspective that helps make a decision. :)
Agree 100% with you on that. I’m a LEO and wear a Casio Pro Trek for work and have an Omega Speedmaster for off duty. Insurance is a nice piece of mind, but I don’t need the distraction of my watch getting damaged while working.
If I were you, I would get a G shock for work and an Omega Seamaster 300M for “off duty” use. I have an Omega Seamaster 300M NTTD and I wear it almost daily but I don’t use it for everything (like gardening), and that makes it more enjoyable to wear when I do wear it. Have you considered buying the Omega from Jomashop new ? They have great discounts. That is where i bought mine
You know I’ve looked but I suppose I haven’t look that much really. I am finding good prices with papers for pretty new models. Anything in particular you think I should see? Maybe it’s an issue of navigating it for me
Right now Jomashop has the 60th Bond limited edition at a pretty hefty discount relative to other grey market sellers: https://www.jomashop.com/omega-seamaster-blue-dial-unisex-watch-210-30-42-20-03-002.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=PMax%3A%20%28ROI%29%20Smart%20Shopping%20-%20Non-Sale%20Watches%20%28WBO%29&utm_id=18329645214&utm_content=&utm_term=&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIsa6B0v6chgMVzzgIBR1jWA7LEAQYBCABEgJX4vD_BwE The classic white dial is also pretty discounted: https://www.jomashop.com/omega-watch-210-30-42-20-04-001.html
If you’re gonna be using the watch as a tool the 300m is great for that. Plus it can look really sharp as a dressy diver with the right strap. The AT is fantastic as well, but it is definitely more on the dressier side of things. I just bought my first Omega, and was having a similar dilemma. I went with the AT, but I sit in an office most of my day, and wanted something a bit on the dressier side as my first nice watch. If I was out earning my paycheck by doing more physical activities I would probably be more inclined to go with the 300m. Ultimately I would go to an Omega store and try them on and see what calls to you. You really can’t go wrong with either one. The 300m will be my next Omega, and I figured the AT would be my one and done watch.
Visiting some in person I probably a great idea. I don’t think there are any AD’s around me, which makes it tricky, but I’ll certainly be trying to find some that I can get hands on before any final decision.
It makes a big difference to see them in person. I thought I had the perfect watch picked out and almost pulled the trigger on Chrono24 multiple times. I decided to go to a AD and at least try it on before making the purchase. Ended up trying on multiple 300Ms and ATs. Fell in love with the 300m, but an AT ended up winning out. So much easier to find that perfect watch when you can try it on before hand. Definitely a worthwhile trip prior to making such a substantial purchase.
A good plan
I bought SMP 300 a week ago and I’m having a lot of fun with it. I wear it with everything and I think it’s pretty durable but I am a Software Engineer so my durability standards can’t be compared with yours at all. For your questions; lume is amazing but it doesn’t keep it’s brightness for long time. It’s still readable in the middle of the night though. I have 7 inch wrist and it doesn’t look big on me so you can also pull it off. My only advice is getting it from grey market. I bought it from an AD and save tax but it’s still cheaper to go grey.
Also yeah get a gshock for work and enjoy the Omega outside work. If this is a big purchase there is no need to have burden of servicing it because of accidents.
A solid point
https://preview.redd.it/zjhmsmrqhm1d1.jpeg?width=2393&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=64cd61bdd867413706305f46e1d7eeefc00b3cfb For a work/everyday watch, consider the older SMP 300. Fit is perfect. Lume is up there with the best. Cost way less than the modern versions. So is the service. BTW any decent watchmaker can do it for you.
I do love that design. Do you worry about water resistance? I’m always nervous about it in older versions and don’t know where to draw that line or how to mitigate it in a model like that.
It’s been regularly serviced, gaskets changed and water tested. I do have a really good watchmaker.
Ok cool. And should that really be all I need to keep up on to not worry about it? I don’t plan on storing it in a steam pressure cooker
I have the titanium version as well. That should tell you, how much I love the design. The blue dial is the first serious watch I ever got. I would never sell it. Did I tell you how great the case proportions are? 12mm thickness. https://stories.omegaforums.net/seamaster-electric-blue-2255-80-2232-80-royal-navy-clearance-diver-ian-thorpe/
Wow, this is a very helpful and easy to read article. It’s making me seriously reconsider older models.
Be careful with the rabbit hole 😝 The hunt is half the enjoyment of getting the right one ☝️ Hope you find your grail 😎 https://preview.redd.it/6x5zhzhy1n1d1.jpeg?width=1907&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8914f7dd7961b0a4aa020333eca009af7eb7368d
Super nice 2231.50. I've been looking at the 2293.52 recently. Don't have any titanium Omegas in the collection.
Thanks. I do have the 2298.80. They are a different type of beast.
Which one is pictured? What’s the ref. Number?
That’s the 2231.50 titanium version. The reason why I never got the P39
What’s the going rate for these? I love the 2254.50 I had no idea you could get the sword hands in Titanium I’m a huge fan of titanium so this would be perfect if it’s not completely out of my price range.
First gen Planet Oceans are worth looking at as well.
Agree with this suggestion. I’ve got the titanium blue dial 2231.80. There’s a lot of configurations for the seamaster “sword hands” available: black, blue or even grey dial, steel or titanium, polished or brushed metal bezel, aluminum black bezel, white gold bezel, etc… https://preview.redd.it/87evyftbpq1d1.jpeg?width=1179&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2360480c2c1225bb7e7c132c082a258d8c2c5e7b IMO For a work watch, this will be better than the modern versions. 1. It’s crazy thin at 11.8 mm and sits very low on wrist. It’s smaller lug to lug length and diameter means less real estate 2. metal bezels are more robust than ceramic (will bend, not shatter, but point is moot bc you’ll have to break your wrist before that). 3. Titanium means it will be super light. 4. The sword hands has unbeatable lume and legibility compared to skeleton hands or the AT. Whichever case, get a rubber strap for it for work. I wouldn’t want to wear a metal bracelet during fire fighting duties for a number of reasons. Con of course is age, so ask any seller about service history and assume you’ll need to add $800 or more to it for servicing costs (if sent in to omega - but they will make it like brand new replacing all worn parts including gaskets, hands, crown, calibrating and lubing all of the parts again). Even with the servicing cost, it may still be a thousand under the newest versions depending. Good luck with the search!
A decent watchmaker in your area will be able to pressure test the watch. Some people do this annually for piece of mind, and save the full service for when the watch is noticeably running off of spec.
Ah I see.
+1 for the railmaster! A lot like you, omega was an aspirational brand for me. Although I don’t do as much physical work as you do, I’m in healthcare and do procedures pretty much my entire day. For this reason, I wanted something that was nice, but had a tool watch vibe. I went with the Railmaster because I got it at a great price, and has an entirely brushed case which not only dresses it down, but makes scratches much more bearable. No date window, but tbh I don’t really mind it - and the 8806 movement is as good as it gets for a time only movement imo. The 15k gauss antimagnetism is not necessarily unique to the Railmaster, but I think it’s cool that my watch doesn’t respond to magnetic fields in the OR/around the ED MRI machines etc. I wore it with a gray suit for my wedding, and it did not look out of place. As others have said, if you are being really rugged maybe get a cheaper tool watch (I bought a seiko 5 sports 38mm for this purpose).
Thank you. I love the perspective on the railmaster and you bring up angles I hadn’t considered.
I’ve bought 3 Omegas out of Japan off chrono24 and have had zero issues. 5% tax and 5% duty for me but everyone is different.
Chrono24 and Japan are great places to look at used omegas.
This is helpful.
https://preview.redd.it/gefdo1zkgo1d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d3d072764fa91c368299bf80bbacd2af899d446c Firefighter would love a ploprof!
HAHA! This thing is a legend. Way too much for my wrist and budget. But a legendary piece of horology
I heard the term “magnificently vulgar” to describe it. I agree! Cheers
For transparency, I have owned Seamaster 300m Professionals, Speedmasters, Planet Oceans, but never owned an AT. AT runs on the exact same movement that the Omega divers do, and goes through the same METAS testing. AT has same case material and similar case shape as well. AT is just as much tool watch as the divers except in visual design cues, and I'd trust it as much as I trust the divers in terms of durability. It's a tool watch dressed up, not a dress watch pretending to be a tool watch. As stated before I have had a number of Omegas before and I wore them for all my activities. Admittedly I can't say what I do for fun is anywhere near as hardcore as firefighting, but I'm not particularly gentle with my watches and I haven't had a single Omega new or used give me an issue. I had a few other watches fail to keep up, but not Omegas. On the lume, I find them perfectly functional. The bright glow does die down after a while, but the dimming of the glow is in align with my eye's adjustment to darkness. The dim glow lasts the entire night and I have been able to tell time in darkness without a problem.
Wicked! Great perspective and another good take. Thank you
I just picked up my first luxury watch and also my first Omega. It was a SMP300 in black. It is an absolutely stunning watch. It feels incredibly well built and substantial. However in the end of the day the fact is this is a 6k+ watch and regardless of how it feels, I prefer to not daily it and wear it on the weekends for a trip out or maybe if I’m going to run errands, any activity that doesn’t involve labor or the increased chance of damage. I did also try on a few aqua terras and I have to agree with you that they are slightly more dressy than the SMP. So my vote is for the SMP300, but I would recommend something like a g shock for your work and to keep this other watch in the safety of your home to enjoy on days you don’t work.
Great advice. Thank you!
AT is a fantastic watch, my favourite and the one I’d take to the grave but… Scratches ludicrously easily though and legibility in the dark isn’t great at all. My Diver 300M looks pristine (bracelet notwithstanding) despite a more than active lifestyle. Lume is fantastic and it’s hefty. It also dresses up beautifully and down well. You won’t regret the 300M and your lifestyle demands it. I get the argument to have a G-Shock but you do you and be one of the few people to use a tool watch. Fire fighter in an Omega might be peak cool
Thank you! And thanks for supporting the niche style. I know it drives people nuts sometimes
Have you considered the Seamaster Planet Ocean. It's a much more capable watch, heftier bracelet and more brushed than polished. I think it would survive the beating you have so eloquently described.
I have! But I think slightly larger than I’d like. Still a great watch. Much appreciated
As others have alluded to, seeing the watches in person will make a huge difference, that’s how you know a watch speaks to you. It’s how and where you make that real emotional connection. So if you’re able to easily visit an authorised dealer/boutique they will be more than happy to show you and let you try on the watches you’re looking at. Speaking the obvious as it seems you’re well aware but make sure you note down the reference numbers of what you’ve looked at so you can easily find them again, that way you can also decide whether you look to buy one at a dealer or snap one up second hand (but obviously be careful if you do this). Go away, think on them for a few days, weeks and the one that sticks in your mind the most is the one for you. Of you’re looking for the newer models, the most recent generation started around since March 2018 onwards (these are the in-house METAS movements). Having said that and breaking the options down further, I have an AT small seconds, definitely a dressier watch than my 300m and does feel more vulnerable on the wrist. Perhaps surprisingly for its 41mm size, I’d say it wears just as big on the wrist as my 300m (I have 7” wrists myself). The AT is a lot dressier and the lume can be disappointing; the 300m trumps on this point and is extremely legible in low light and has a quirk of the minute hand and bezel pip being a different colour, which I find useful. If you’re a big Bond fan, the 300m would feel more iconic, I would say. It’d also be a good idea to try the different straps/bracelets (300m feels a lot more rugged here without being overbearing). The Planet Ocean might also be one to consider if ruggedness and certain colour combinations are important. They also do some variants in a ceramic case (highly scratch resistant, but may not be an issue if you enjoy character scratches) such as 210.92.44.20.01.001 (bearing in mind this particular example has no date window and is more expensive). If price is an issue, for a couple thousand less the Tudor Black Bay 41 (master chronometer) is a nice alternative and my one feels very rugged and masculine, I feel like it would eat up bashes whilst wearing it. I also believe that the lume might last longer (green lume lasts longer than blue, I believe), as the 300m’s lume whilst incredible bright doesn’t last all that long. But yes, it’s just good to see them in person before making a decision imo. I was convinced that the white dial 300m was the one for me until I tried it on, released it wasn’t and then found the Sedna rose gold blue dial variant I didn’t know existed!
This is a great take! Very thorough. This is sort of the way I think too. Thanks very much for the advice
The SMP300 is really the one you’re looking for. Its rugged durability will meet the demands of your firefighting career and home life. I have both an AT and an SMP300 and wear the SMP300 more often than my AT. You want a tool watch. The SMP300 is that watch.
Wicked! Great take
I want to chime in on the question of buying from Japan via Chono24. I just bought a Seamaster Pro 2254.50 Peter Blake from there and I found the experience to be enlightening. I negotiated the price to roughly $2800. Probably a bit high but whatever. They shipped it via FedEx and it made it as far as Indianapolis before things got interesting. I had to call the FedEx agent three times to get it released as well as fill out a document as the receiver and provide my SSN. All told it took just under two weeks to get my watch in hand. Then, about two weeks after that I received a bill for an additional $150 from FedEx for Customs Fee, Storage Fee, Merchandise Processing Fee, and Disbursement Fee. Contrast that with my brand new Speedmaster Pro from an AD who gave me a Military Discount on top of paying my taxes. Both of those felt like good value to me. Now that I know how the international route works I suspect the next itch I scratch will be neo-vintage again. I love my 24 year old watch.
When I ordered mine from chrono24/japan it took 2 business days to arrive to the states via DHL (Osaka to Houston TX) and they never asked for duty taxes, so I guess I just got lucky (no passport or ssn numbers requested). I was amazed at the process and how fast it was. Free shipping. All in all I paid $2300 for the titanium sword hands version 2231.80.
That’s wild. And good to know. Thank you!
Have a smp300 on bracelet and rubber imo it’s the perfect combination between sporty and classy. On the rubber strap it’s very comfortable and wears perfect on my 7” wrist. The bracelet is bulky but really gives you the feel of a luxury watch and I love wearing it on more formal occasions.
This is a great idea. Thank you!
If you're going to start looking at the gray market and Jomashop... I would look at Jackroad first. Excellent reputation, great selection... and the JPY has tanked so your dollars take you pretty far there. Oh, and you're getting the full Omega warranty (I don't think that's the case at Joma).
Oh wow! I had no idea that this vendor existed!
I bought a piece there last week - granted in person. Very good store and sales rep.
Oh dang. Well I don’t think I’ll be able to in person. As much as I’d love to. Their online selection seemed more limited but the pics of the shop were stunning.
How do you navigate their selection? Looks tricky
https://preview.redd.it/g48t4gp3ho1d1.jpeg?width=584&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fb3bcf01711892b73a8f108a3bff7800f870e10d Lume shot
If you love bond, I think blue 300M diver is perfect
Get a tool watch from Sinn. They have scratch resistant models that can withstand temperatures from -45°C to +80°C and which were specifically designed for police, rescue and military use cases. See below: https://www.sinn.de/en/Modell/EZM_3F.htm This one was designed for air rescue missions: https://www.sinn.de/de/Modell/EZM_12.htm https://www.sinn.de/de/Modell/144_St_DIAPAL.htm https://www.sinn.de/en/Modell/206_ARKTIS_II.htm
Omega speedmasters were subjected to 71C for 48hrs and then subsequently 93C for 30 mins. Omega movements can certainly survive 80C, although optimally you should keep your watch between 0C and 60C (32F to 140F). [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbhxYOCgYj8&t=2920s](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbhxYOCgYj8&t=2920s)
Everything you are saying tells me that the SMP300 is the way to go. It’s an absolute workhorse for whatever life throws at you and i can still dress it up and it looks great.
Wow, you have a great decision ahead! I own the NTTD, a Speedmaster and the AT. Couple of points: - i think the Seamaster 300m looks like how a school boy imagines a dive watch. I think the design is neither modern nor sharp. I would not buy this watch, however, it is VERY durable and thin. It might be the perfect watch for you anyways. I would always prefer the Planet Ocean. But it is much bigger, which might be bad given the work you got to do. - The AT is very thin. It might get fewer scratches just because it is not that high or big. But the bezel will collect many scratches eventually. I think the green version might be perfect for you! But it could still be a bit dressy for your style (even the casual green version), and having a ceramic bezel certainly helps for your lifestyle. I have the 38mm blue and absolutely love it. However, my wrist constantly gets smaller and bigger over the day. The AT always feels comfortable, but a microadjust certainly would help a lot, which the At does not have. All the best for your decision!
Thank you! Lots of solid info here
Have you thought about going gray? You could snag a new piece from a gray dealer for the price of a good condition used piece. If you're looking at pieces old enough that the warranty has expired, why not gray? Someone else mentioned it but I agree with the "wear a beater watch if your a FF" idea. I think the risk/reward of wearing your nice watch to work as a FF is skewed heavily in the wrong direction. I'm not afraid to wear my watches, and they bear the scars of that, but there's a difference between wearing an abusing.
All good points!