Omega Seamaster 300M Long-Term Review: Two Years Later
Introduction
This is my Omega Seamaster 300M long-term review after two years of ownership. I bought the black-dial model on its steel bracelet, then added the black rubber strap later. I wanted a black diver I could wear casually and with smarter outfits, and this watch has become my first true luxury watch.
There are already plenty of detailed breakdowns of the Seamaster online, so I’m not going to turn this into another technical guide. I’d rather talk about why I chose it, what it feels like to live with, and which strap I actually prefer now that I’ve spent time with both.
At a glance
| Brand | Omega |
| Model | Seamaster Diver 300M, black ceramic dial |
| Reference | 210.30.42.20.01.001(Bracelet) & 210.32.42.20.01.001(Rubber) |
| Movement | Omega 8800 (55 hours) |
| Dimensions | 42mm x 49.9mm x 13.56mm |
Why I chose the Seamaster 300M
I wanted a black dive watch that could move easily between everyday casual wear and smart-casual outfits. The Seamaster looked capable and substantial, but it also had a design I could imagine wearing well beyond the beach or the pool. I wanted one watch that felt special without being reserved for special occasions.
The Rolex Submariner wasn’t a serious contender for me. Several people around me already owned one, and I wanted my first luxury watch to feel more personal. The Seamaster had a connection that was already part of my own history: James Bond.
I grew up watching the Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig films. That connection helped make the Seamaster feel familiar and exciting at the same time. I wasn’t choosing it because it beat another watch on a specification sheet. I chose it because the design, the story, and the way it looked on my wrist all came together for me.
That mattered even more because this was my first true luxury watch. It marked a new point in my collecting life, and two years later, I still remember the feeling of choosing it.
Design and wearability
The Seamaster Diver 300M has a rugged, masculine presence. It doesn’t try to disappear on the wrist, and the overall look feels more assertive than refined or delicate. That was part of its appeal when I bought it: I wanted a black diver with character, not a watch that blended into the background.
It works with the casual clothes I wear most often, and I’m happy to pair it with smart-casual outfits too. The black dial and bezel make it easier to dress than a more colourful diver, while the case and bracelet give it enough presence to feel like the centrepiece of an outfit.
My taste has started to move toward smaller watches. That makes the Seamaster feel like a very different choice from the watches I’m drawn to lately. Some days I notice its size more than I used to. But I also appreciate that solid, full-size diver character. It still feels right when I want a watch with a bit of attitude.
The bracelet is the version I keep reaching for
I bought my Seamaster on the steel bracelet, then added the black rubber strap later. The rubber version is often recommended for this model, so I wanted to see how it changed the watch. It gives the Seamaster a sportier, more straightforward diver look, and I’m glad to have the option.
But the bracelet is still my favourite.
I know the bracelet divides opinion in the watch community. Its design has a very particular 1990s feel, and that is exactly what I like about it. It gives the watch a bit of nostalgia and makes it feel connected to the era of Bond films I grew up with. To me, it also makes the watch feel more premium overall than it does on rubber.
It took me time to get used to the bracelet, but now I find it comfortable. I wear the watch on it most of the time. The rubber strap is a useful alternative, but when I put the Seamaster back on its bracelet, it feels more like my Seamaster again.
That preference won’t be universal. Plenty of owners may prefer the rubber, and the strap does suit the watch. My experience has simply gone the other way: the bracelet’s comfort, distinctive look, and more premium feel make it the natural choice for me.
What I still like after two years
The Seamaster has stayed versatile in the way I hoped it would. I can wear it casually without feeling overdressed, and it still looks at home with smarter everyday clothes. It has enough visual character to feel special, but the black colourway keeps it easy to reach for.
I also still enjoy the Bond connection. Nostalgia alone wouldn’t be enough to make me love a watch for two years, but it gave me a reason to pay attention to the Seamaster in the first place. Once I owned it, the design and the way it wears gave me reasons to keep coming back to it.
Most of all, I like that the watch feels like a personal choice. I didn’t buy the obvious diver that everyone around me had. I bought the one that spoke to my own memories and style. The bracelet’s 1990s charm is a big part of that. Some enthusiasts may want a more conventional look, but I enjoy the Seamaster’s distinctive character.
What I’ve grown more aware of
The same presence that attracted me can feel like a lot of watch now that my taste is shifting smaller. The Seamaster is bold, and it doesn’t pretend to be subtle. If you prefer compact watches, or want a diver that stays quiet under a cuff, that character may become a drawback.
I’ve also learned that owning both straps doesn’t mean I use them equally. The rubber strap gives me another look, but I don’t find it as premium-feeling as the bracelet. I bought it because it is a natural pairing for the watch; after living with both, I know which one I prefer.
These are personal trade-offs rather than deal-breakers. They haven’t erased what I liked about the watch when I bought it, but they are part of an honest two-year ownership review.
Final thoughts: my Seamaster, still on the bracelet
After two years, I still love my Omega Seamaster Diver 300M. My taste may be moving toward smaller watches, but I haven’t stopped appreciating the Seamaster’s rugged character or the way it works with my everyday style.
The Bond connection helped me choose it, and being my first true luxury watch made it an important part of my collection. The black rubber strap gives me a different way to wear it, but the bracelet remains my clear favourite. I like its comfort, its 1990s charm, and the more premium feel it gives the watch.
The Seamaster Diver 300M may not be everyone’s idea of the perfect modern diver, and its bracelet certainly won’t win over every enthusiast. For me, that combination of personal history and distinctive character is exactly why I’ve enjoyed owning it for two years—and why I still reach for it on the bracelet.
If you enjoy other first-hand reviews from my collection, you can also read my Hamilton Khaki Expedition 41mm review.
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