Understanding Omega Seamaster Watches

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The Omega Seamaster is best known today as Omega’s diving and watersport watch. Some may even identify it as the “James Bond watch”. The Seamaster, however, has more to offer than just one style – in fact, it’s the most varied line of Omega watches and the longest-running one, too.

In its 70-year history, the Omega Seamaster has grown to include anywhere from sophisticated dress watches to heavy-duty solid steel divers. To help you decide, let’s take a look at the models of the Omega Seamaster collection.

A Brief History of the Omega Seamaster

Seamaster watches weren’t always the sporty timepieces that Omega produces today. Its history began in 1948, when Omega launched the Seamaster line to celebrate its 100^thanniversary.

Back then, most watches weren’t water resistant yet; and were extremely susceptible to water damage, even from daily activities like handwashing. The Seamaster was created to address this need.

Vintage Omega Seamaster advertisement, photo from International Watch League. Vintage Seamaster and Seamaster DeVille watches.

The first Omega Seamaster design was modeled after the waterproof watches made for the British military during World War II. Equipped with an O-ring gasket, it had improved water resistance and was even dubbed “waterproof” at the time, even with a 10-30 meter depth rating.

Over the next decades, Omega designed new and sportier models that were designed for deeper water activities, like diving, and needed depth ratings of at least 100 meters. Today, there’s an Omega Seamaster for everyone – from casual, everyday watches, to specialized and more rugged styles.

Let’s check out the current models of the Omega Seamaster.

Current Models of the Omega Seamaster Family

Omega Seamaster 300M Stainless Steel Mens Watches

Seamaster 300M (1994)

Also called Seamaster Professional, this is Omega’s line of professional-spec diving watches. Its emblematic blue wave dial model burst into the scene in 1995, when it was chosen as James Bond’s (Pierce Brosnan) watch in GoldenEye. The partnership continues to this day.

Beginning 2006, Omega started fitting their Seamaster Professional watches with the improved Co-Axial Omega 2500 movement. The Seamaster Professional sports a unidirectional rotating bezel – older models have an aluminum insert, but in 2012 they’ came with a ceramic insert option.

Varieties: Available in automatic and quartz movements. Sizes come in mens, midsize mens, and ladies models. Models come with standard time-date, GMT, and chronograph complications. SEE ALL SEAMASTER 300M >

Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Blue Ceramic Dial, Planet Ocean 45mm Mens Watch

Seamaster Planet Ocean (2003)

The Planet Ocean range was made to go deeper into the sea. The models were equipped with the Omega Co-Axial 2500 movement from the start. They also have a helium-escape valve, a chronometer certification, and water resistance rating of 600M.

Planet Ocean watches were the first to be equipped with state-of-the-art materials such as Liquidmetal™ bezels, and the in-house Omega 8500 caliber. It also became a James Bond watch when Daniel Craig took over the role of Agent 007 in Casino Royale.

Varieties: Sizes are available in 42mm, 45.5mm and 46mm wide cases. Models come with standard time-date, GMT, and chronograph complications.
SEE ALL SEAMASTER PLANET OCEAN >

Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra Golf Edition Watch, Aqua Terra GMT Chronograph Watch

Seamaster Aqua Terra (2002)

The Aqua Terra line was inspired by the earliest Seamaster models (such as the Seamaster DeVille), which were essentially casual-to-dress watches that could withstand contact with water.

Aside from the smooth case and dressier feel, the Aqua Terra can be distinguished by the “teak concept” pattern – lines that run across its dial, that are reminiscent of wooden decks found on yachts.

The Aqua Terra has a water resistance of 150 meters; and the newer models are run by the Master Chronometer movement of Omega. These movements are noted for having passed 8 rigorous tests of the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology, including resistance to magnetic fields.

Varieties: Sizes are available in 30mm, 34mm, 38.5mm, 41.5mm, 44mm and 49.2mm cases. Models come with standard time-date, GMT, chronograph, annual calendar, and Worldtime complications.
SEE ALL SEAMASTER AQUA TERRA >

Omega Seamaster 300 Master Co-Axial in rose gold and stainless steel

Seamaster 300 Master Co-Axial (2014)

Vintage designs have been increasingly popular in the last decade, and Omega took advantage of their marvelous archive of designs. In 2014, they introduced the Seamaster 300 Master Co-Axial, a modern take on the Seamaster 300 of 1957.

It became successful due to its blend of retro styling and modern Omega technologies – particularly the fully anti-magnetic Master Co-Axial movement.

Varieties: Available in a 41mm case. Case metals include stainless steel, titanium, 18k yellow gold, and 18k Sedna™ gold. Limited edition models are available in 950 platinum.
SEE ALL MASTER CO-AXIAL 300 >

Omega Seamaster PloProf Steel Mens Watch with orange rubber strap, and stainless steel mesh “shark proof” bracelet

Seamaster PloProf (2009)

The Omega Seamaster Plongeur Professionnel (French for “professional diver”) is one of the most specialized watches Omega has made. Created by divers, for divers, its first iteration had a depth rating of 600M.

The modern version debuted in 2009, this time with a 1200M water resistance, a helium-escape valve, and a titanium case. It’s distinguished by its crown and crown protection placed at 9 o’clock, instead of at 3 o’clock.

Varieties: Available in a generous 55mm x 48mm titanium case. You can choose between a rubber strap or the more vintage-looking “shark proof” stainless steel mesh bracelet.
SEE ALL SEAMASTER PLOPROF >

Other Models of the Omega Seamaster Family

Seamaster also has smaller lines of watches. They come with more limited designs, but are superb nonetheless.

Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra Railmaster, Seamaster Bullhead Co-Axial. Seamaster 1948 photo by Omega Watches.

Railmaster, Bullhead and Seamaster 1948

Railmaster – officially designed for those who work near magnetic fields (such as railroad employees and scientists), this comes with a special double case that can withstand up to 1,000 gauss.

Bullhead – a quirky watch inspired by the original 1969 Seamaster Bullhead, a very rare Omega chronograph. It’s characterized by an asymmetrical, wedge-shaped case, and chronograph controls located on top of the case.

Seamaster 1948 – launched to commemorate the Omega Seamaster’s 70^thanniversary, the limited edition line pays tribute to the brand’s post-war Seamaster watch designs.
SEE ALL SEAMASTER >

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SEE MORE OF THE WATCHES IN OUR VIDEO:

Omega Seamaster Railmaster Luxury Watch Review | SwissWatchExpo [Watch Review]