Thoughts on Omega 300 Seamaster + more

[koda240]

Gents, I'm looking for a good daily wear watch to use on natos most of the time. I'd like something really comfortable and not too large. Further, want it nice enough to wear to office but usable while running weekend errands and a trip to Home Depot. You get the idea.

Current considerations are an Exp 1 (Lume dial), Submariner, Milgauss and now the Omega 300.

The rolexes are a tad higher In price than I'd like since I want to stay below 5k.

Anyone have thoughts on these two based on what I've described?

[hoppyjr]

Explorer 1 39mm with lume 3-6-9.

Used around $5k, new can be had mid-high 5's.

Rolex quality, matte dial, normal 20mm lug width, killer bracelet.

Would be ideal on natos 94 bracelet.

100m

Do it. Stop looking at the others. If I had a spare $5k I'd own one.

[JP Chestnut]

Milgauss -- too shiny for what you want

Omega 300 - have you tried this watch on in person? It was easily my most disappointing release of that year. The dimensions are a mess. It managed to look like a small watch (in a bad way), yet wear like a big watch (in a bad way). Definitely try before you buy.

I think you should pony up the extra $500 and get a lume dial Exp1 or ND Sub. They're both much better choices.

[matt.wu]

214270 no question for my money (recently went through this thought process).

SM300 wears pretty thick for NATOs in my experience. I didn't necessarily think it was a disappointing release, but I also don't think it'll be the versatile watch you want it to be (especially on NATO).

[gr8sw]

I think the Omega is a nicer looking watch with excellent movement and rotating bezel that some of us find useful

not sure why the Omega was so disappointing to you? Rolex is so meh

[koda240]

Exactly the feedback I needed. I knew the Omega would get axed from the list the moment Matt said it's too big on a NATO for what I want.

Ok. Someone sell me an Exp1 or sub. Money in your account today.

[Panerai7]

I was gonna say SubcND but since you're saying "good daily wear watch to use on natos most of the time" that cancels that.
Exp1 if it's not too small or 14060M for the last sub ND that looked great on Natos

[Chocodove]

The modern Subs look/wear weird on NATO's IMO. I tried numerous times and the new lugs just don't feel right with nylon.

[koda240]

Ideally I'd like a pre ceramic SD. That was one of my favorites but selling above budget.

Separately, I've always like a SubC ND on a NATO but can see why others wouldn't with the chunky lugs

[hoppyjr]

I've been looking at the 214270 myself, but was concerned the 39mm size may be too small. Here are some photos I've found that make me believe it will be fine....and that I need one.



The photo that really pushed me over the edge....

[JP Chestnut]

I think the Omega is a nicer looking watch with excellent movement and rotating bezel that some of us find useful

not sure why the Omega was so disappointing to you? Rolex is so meh

Weirdly long lugs combined with (1) 21mm lugs spacing, and (2) stupidly big end links.





Look at how much visual mass that watch has north and south of the bezel. Look how small the dial appears in proportion to the
1) lug area
2) bezel including inner and outer ring.

I'll take "meh" over "poorly designed" all day. Don't feel bad though, most modern Rolex are poorly designed too.

[Panerai7]

Looks like the dial opening is larger than the sub in diameter

[JP Chestnut]

Here's another one that shows the endlinks in all their glory




Too long and shiny lugs looking weird on a nato.

[hoppyjr]

Here's another one that shows the endlinks in all their glory




Too long and shiny lugs looking weird on a nato.

I think it looks great on nato, but the 21mm lug width limits choices or forces a bunched strap. No thanks.

[Panerai7]

I think the Omega is a nicer looking watch with excellent movement and rotating bezel that some of us find useful

not sure why the Omega was so disappointing to you? Rolex is so meh

Weirdly long lugs combined with (1) 21mm lugs spacing, and (2) stupidly big end links.





Look at how much visual mass that watch has north and south of the bezel. Look how small the dial appears in proportion to the
1) lug area
2) bezel including inner and outer ring.

I'll take "meh" over "poorly designed" all day. Don't feel bad though, most modern Rolex are poorly designed too.

I've tried it on and the ti version, I don't remember another main stream watch that I didn't like so much. Those polished long lugs....

[JP Chestnut]

I actually can't find a picture of this watch that makes it look as bad as IRL. I was set to buy it, tried it on, and walked out the door.

[Panerai7]

I actually can't find a picture of this watch that makes it look as bad as IRL. I was set to buy it, tried it on, and walked out the door.

Same, put it on looked at the buzz saw cutoff polished lugs and that shiny ring between the crystal and bezel, handed back and walked out.

[Joeprez]

I like the Omega 300, but only on bracelet, too thick on natos plus it has 21mm lugs, which sucks.

Sub is too boring for me, unless you go with an older SD (which are thicker than the regular Sub for nato use)... have you considered an older Planet Ocean?

The 214270 is a great watch for what you want and if you're considering a watch without a movable bezel, what about an IWC Mark XVIII (or any other edition you prefer). What about an older Explorer II? Those wear great on bracelet and natos.

[jtbenson]

i'll be in the minority here as a lover of the sm300. I think it wears great on bracelet, nato and leather. Independently adjustable hour hand and no date are also huge bonuses for me. lugs are polarizing, but i am on the love side of it. not a one-watch, do-all watch for sure, but when i wear it, i love everything about it.

[JP Chestnut]

It definitely offers a lot for the money used. The Ti version was super expensive at MSRP, but now they're like $4500 or less.

[RALAustin]

I had both the steel and ti versions and wore them a lot. I did not like the 21mm lugs , but I wore them on a 22mm nato and never really could tell that it was too wide. To me, there wore a little bigger than a SubC, but looked smaller on the wrist.

[TSD]

Exp1 if it's not too small or 14060M for the last sub ND that looked great on Natos

Either of these would be my vote for a perfect everyday "strap" watch (nato or rubber). It's a dead heat, in my opinion, with the ND Sub being slightly better overall but only because it's COSC and has standard 20mm lugs.

14060M


SBDX019

[Ryeguy]

FWIW, I bought the Seiko SLA 017 for this same purpose. Reasonable size, looks good on NATO, diashield coating on the stainless will ensure it continues to look good even with rough treatment. Plus, with only 2000 available, more unique than most other options.

At MSRP the SLA leaves you enough left over to buy a good longboard.

[GregBe]

I am looking at some of the same watches for the same reasoning. Another I am considering is the Speedmaster Pro. Superb on steel, nato, and leather equally. I know water resistance sucks, but for me...I can't remember the last time I had one of my watches submerged.

[jimyritz]

Milgauss -- too shiny for what you want

Omega 300 - have you tried this watch on in person? It was easily my most disappointing release of that year. The dimensions are a mess. It managed to look like a small watch (in a bad way), yet wear like a big watch (in a bad way). Definitely try before you buy.

I think you should pony up the extra $500 and get a lume dial Exp1 or ND Sub. They're both much better choices.

---------------------

A bit of a different opinion than Jacob--I own the SM300 and at this point you can get these pretty cheap-- this watch has a lot to offer for the money, especially at today's going prices-- Overall, my wrist is 6.75 and it fits fine....you have to like the PCLs, though....I can't send pics from work but can when I get home....Just let me know...

I love the Exp 1..could be my next watch...

Just my .02..


Mike