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The Seamaster name stands for one of Omega's best-known collections, which today spans several distinct model lines. What unites every model in the collection is its maritime character, expressed in a different way in each case. Some watches are exceptionally water-resistant and built for use as dive watches, while others cut a particularly elegant figure on the wrists of sailors and yacht owners. Thanks to a steady stream of new model lines and versions, the Omega Seamaster collection now offers watches for very different audiences. Our Seamaster model overview explains the fundamental differences between Omega's sea-going watches.
Nearly Seven Decades of Success
Long before a model overview was needed: the first watch to bear the name Omega Seamaster was launched in 1948, which means the collection has been a success on the market for almost seventy years. The first Seamaster watches were not yet dive watches in today's familiar style, but elegant timepieces whose true ruggedness wasn't apparent at first glance. They did, however, feature screw-down casebacks and innovative O-ring gaskets that ensured a high degree of water resistance. Power came from a self-winding movement, which at the time was still more the exception than the rule.
Customers received the new models very warmly, which encouraged Omega to continue the collection and expand it step by step. By contrast, the remarkable Omega dive watch called the Marine, first introduced in 1932, had never achieved a real breakthrough on the market. With its broad range of models, the Seamaster collection offers the right timepiece for every taste and every occasion. Here is a comprehensive model overview that gives you a look into the fascinating world of Omega Seamaster watches.
The Start of an Era – Seamaster 300 Dive Watches
The era of the modern dive watch in the true sense, however, only began in 1957 with the Omega Seamaster 300. It already featured the characteristic rotating bezel for timing dives, along with a double crown seal and a crystal three times as thick as that of conventional watches. At the time, resistance to water pressure could only be tested up to 20 bar, and the Seamaster 300 clearly exceeded that figure.
Incidentally, to mark the 300's 60th "birthday," Omega presented a retro-styled special edition limited to 3,557 pieces at Baselworld 2017, powered by the highly precise Master Chronometer caliber 8806. In 1966, Omega's dive watches were equipped with a date display for the first time. The same year saw the debut of the Seamaster Cosmic, a model with a so-called Unicoc case. This case offered particularly high water resistance and enclosed the movement almost hermetically.
For repairs, the plastic crystal of these watches had to be removed, after which the movement could be taken out through the front, dial first. In terms of style, however, the Cosmic – much like the very first models – came across as a simple yet elegant men's watch whose considerable toughness wasn't visible from the outside. The 300 model lineup includes further variants of this legendary dive watch. Among them are the 300 M Chrono Diver, the 300 M Chronometer and the 300 M GMT Chronograph. Today, the more modern-looking versions introduced in 1993 and bearing the name Diver are also very popular. The lineup therefore also includes the Diver 300M and the Diver 300M Chronograph.
Bullhead and Professional 600: Innovative Design and Extreme Toughness
The Seamaster Bullhead – which, incidentally, was revived in 2013, at least in terms of its looks – caused a stir with its striking design when it launched in 1969. The case had a shield-shaped silhouette. The crown and two chronograph pushers sat on its top side, while the inner rotating bezel was adjusted from below.
The very next year, the manufacturer made another big splash in the dive watch segment: the Omega Seamaster Professional 600, unveiled in 1970 after roughly four years of development, set entirely new standards with water resistance to a depth of 600 meters. This sensational model is widely known as the Ploprof, a name derived from "plongeurs professionnels" – French for professional divers. The automatic caliber 1002 used in the Professional 600 displayed the date in addition to the time. The Omega Seamaster Ploprof 1200 M is even water-resistant to 120 bar (1200 meters/4000 feet).
To this day, this watch of superlatives stands out at first glance thanks to its distinctive case milled from a solid block, the red safety pusher on the right side for unlocking the diving bezel, and the crown, relocated to the left side and sealed by a knurled compression nut.
Another groundbreaking innovation was that this model was built so tightly that the helium added to the breathing gas in diving bells could not penetrate its interior.
The noble gas was added to protect professional divers working in diving bells from problematic partial pressures of oxygen and nitrogen. Helium that got into a watch, however, could have expanded sharply during decompression and, in the worst case, caused the watch to burst.
Professional 1.000m
While the Ploprof looked somewhat chunky, the Professional 1.000m dive watches introduced in 1971 appeared far less bulky, even though they were designed to withstand depths of up to 1,000 meters. Further milestones of the collection in the years that followed included the Automatik 120m, the first chronograph with non-screw-down pushers that could be operated underwater, various quartz models, and the Professional Chronograph Diver.
The latter made headlines in 1995 on James Bond's wrist in "GoldenEye," launching a partnership that has lasted through Daniel Craig in "Spectre" and will most likely continue in the future. Incidentally, the Apnea, launched in 2002, stood out for a particularly original dive-time display in the form of round windows on the dial that turned red.
Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean
The Seamaster Planet Ocean is the ultimate choice for extreme athletes and deep-sea divers. With water resistance of up to 600 meters and a rugged case material, it is ready for any challenge. The Planet Ocean's design is defined by its striking bezel, luminous indices and a clean dial that ensures optimal legibility in any situation.
2005 saw the introduction of the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean line, still in production today, which clearly draws on the design of the 1957 dive watches. Its water resistance of up to 600 meters, however, is considerably higher, and Planet Ocean watches also feature sapphire crystal and a caliber 2500 movement with Co-Axial escapement. Since 2006 they have also been available as chronographs, and in recent years the line has been repeatedly expanded with new versions – for example with a Ceragold bezel, orange accents or a GMT function.
Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra
The Aqua Terra embodies the elegant side of the Seamaster collection. With its refined design, classic dial and sophisticated details, it is the perfect companion for formal occasions or everyday wear at the office. Its 150-meter water resistance also makes it suitable for leisure activities on and around the water.
The Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra line also comes in a remarkable number of variations; its most striking feature is the Geneva stripes on the dial, reminiscent of the planks of a ship's deck. They are, in a sense, the dress watches of the Seamaster collection. Their water resistance is more than enough for swimming or snorkeling, but they are not dedicated dive watches with the typical features such as a diving bezel or a helium escape valve. They come in a wide range of versions, from all-steel models to pieces in solid red or yellow gold. Some versions are also available on leather straps.
Technically speaking, the simple three-hand watch with a small date window is the entry point, while the more complex wristwatches in the series offer more extensive calendar displays, a chronograph function or a second time zone display.
Aqua Terra > 15,000 Gauss
The Aqua Terra >15,000 Gauss attracted particular attention: it is characterized by extreme resistance to magnetic fields and can be recognized by its black-and-yellow seconds hand.
Elegant Dive Watches for Women
The models in the Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra line can be worn with sporty casual outfits just as well as with formal evening wear or at the office. Thanks to the enormous variety of sizes, materials and color combinations, this part of the collection should offer a suitable watch for just about every taste.
An Aqua Terra collection for women is also available, distinguished by especially refined and sophisticated details such as mother-of-pearl dials, diamond indices or diamond-set bezels.
All Omega Dive Watch Models
This comprehensive overview of the Omega Seamaster collection gives you an in-depth look at the diversity and appeal of this outstanding watch line. Whether you are an experienced diver, a style-conscious gentleman or an elegant lady: Omega Seamaster watches offer you a broad range of models, quality, precision and timeless elegance. Explore the Seamaster collection and find your perfect watch – one that reflects your personality and lifestyle perfectly.
