Hands-On: The New Omega Seamaster 300 In Bronze Gold
Omega updated its Seamaster 300 collection and added a bronze gold version (reference 234.92.41.21.10.001) as well. Bronze certainly isn’t new to the industry. Nor is gold new to the Seamaster 300. However, this fresh new alloy — the aptly-named bronze gold — is something new to us all.
The Omega Seamaster 300 collection receives a few subtle changes, including an upgraded movement (caliber 8912, Master Chronometer certified) and modified case proportions. The 41mm diameter remains, but the case band and bezel combined are slimmer than before, with the old height retained by virtue of a boxy sapphire. The classic Broad Arrow hands and straight lugs remain. Without further ado, let’s have a look at the new bronze gold Seamaster 300 and see how it wears.
Omega Seamaster 300 Bronze Gold
Omega sent us a box of watches under embargo, and inside we found three new Seamaster 300 models. The bronze-gold Seamaster 300 234.92.41.21.10.001 is the one that received the most attention in our office. This new alloy has a number of characteristics that make it an interesting choice for a watch. First, there’s no risk for people with an allergy. Bronze watches often have a steel or titanium case back, so there’s no skin irritation. With bronze gold, there’s nothing to worry about.
The bronze-gold alloy consists of copper, 9-karat gold, silver, gallium, and palladium. Omega doesn’t want to reveal the exact percentages of each material, but let us know that the color of this alloy sits between Moonshine (yellow) gold and Sedna (rose) gold. The use of palladium keeps the color bright and will reduce the patina effect. The Au375 engraving at least let us know there’s 37.5% gold in this alloy.
Copper sandwich dial
As you can see in the pictures, the Omega Seamaster 300 bronze gold uses a sandwich dial. There’s a German silver base plate, and a cover plate in bronze (92% copper). The German silver base plate is etched with the markings and filled with lume. The upper dial is then blackened, before being delicately brushed to reveal some of the warmer brown tones of the underlying substrate. This resulting “tropic” effect means that every dial will be unique due to this aging process of the bronze. The open 6 and 9 numerals were used in some of the earlier Seamaster 300 types from 1962.
There’s no “Automatic” or “Master Chronometer” wording on the dial. Less is more, and this watch is a great example of how it should be done. Unlike the steel versions of the new Seamaster 300, this watch does not come with a lollipop second’s hand. Omega used the lollipop for their Seamaster 300 in 1959, but this is not an exact re-make of those watches, of course. It is inspired by various vintage Seamaster 300 watches.
Diving scale bezel
The diving scale bezels on the very first Seamaster 300 from 1957, reference CK2913, were bi-directional with an unusual security system to prevent them from being accidentally turned. As you know, divers needed safety, and knowing the exact time they have left underwater is crucial. On the original Seamaster 300 bezels, one had to push the bezel down to unlock it before one could rotate it in either direction. This was later updated to the unidirectional method, which this bezel uses — another slight update to the older models. In contrast to the new steel models, this bezel has a brown ceramic insert.
Caliber 8912
Omega’s in-house developed caliber 8912 is inside the Seamaster 300 Bronze Gold watch. Based on the 8900 — as it can be found inside the Constellation Globemaster for example — the 8912 lacks a date function. Caliber 8912 has a power reserve of 60 hours, and an unusual operating frequency of 25,200vph. It goes without saying that the Seamaster 300 Bronze Gold has the Master Chronometer certification by Metas. Therefore, it is anti-magnetic to at least 15,000 gauss and has a daily average performance of 0/+5 seconds. If you want to know more about the Master Chronometer certification process, click here.
Seamaster 300 Bronze Gold on the wrist
As always, the proof is in the pudding. When I strapped on the new Omega Seamaster 300 Bronze Gold and the new steel models, I thought the watch appeared to be bigger than its predecessor. But that is not the case. The diameter of the Seamaster 300 is still 41mm. What changed is the aperture of the dial. It increased by 1mm. Omega made the case part and bezel a tad smaller, making it possible to increase the dial size. The height of the watch is 14.4mm, and the lug-to-lug is 48mm. The Seamaster 300 Bronze Gold comes with a calf leather strap, reminding me of the Speedmaster Speedy Tuesday strap. The lug-width is 21mm and the strap tapers to a 16mm (bronze gold) buckle.
The dial on the Seamaster 300 Bronze Gold is superb in sunlight, giving it this “tropic” look. The creamy color of the Super-LumiNova really matches perfectly with the bronze-gold case material and the numerals on the diving bezel. I’ve worn the watch for a few days in a row, and it is an easy wearer. It looks great and it wears comfortably on my 19cm wrist. I am a Speedmaster guy, but I can definitely see myself wearing a Seamaster 300 as well.
The bronze gold is in between the Moonshine and Sedna gold alloys, so it is slightly darker than yellow gold but not as red as rose (or pink) gold. Compared to my Oris Big Crown Pointer Date in bronze, it is clearly visible we’re talking about a different composition of materials here. It’s less coppery and more yellow. While there Oris started developing patina after a day, the Seamaster 300 Bronze Gold still looks like new after a weekend of wearing.
First thoughts on the Seamaster 300 Bronze Gold
The bronze-gold alloy that Omega has patent-pending solves the problem of toxic bronze. Wearing a bronze watch directly on the skin may result in skin irritation and this new Seamaster 300 bronze gold can be worn without any issues. The use of noble materials like palladium, a significant amount of gold, and silver make this watch more expensive than a “regular” bronze watch, but in the end, it isn’t a bronze watch as we’ve come to expect from some other brands. Omega made an effort to keep the Seamaster 300 watch looking good at all times, and by using at least 37.5% gold in the alloy, the price is between the steel variation and a full gold watch.
Somehow, I didn’t think of this watch as a bronze watch when I wore it. But neither as a gold watch. So the positioning seems to be just right and well thought of. If you don’t like bronze gold (or gold), Omega also introduced this watch in steel with a black dial and with a blue dial. The Seamaster 300 Bronze Gold has my preference though, as I think it looks good and I like the brown dial and the non-lollipop hand.
Price and availability
The Omega Seamaster 300 234.92.41.21.10.001 will have a retail price of €11,500. The watch will become available as of June 2021. More information can be found on the official Omega website.
