OMEGA Seamaster Diver 300M Summer Blue Review

By Alex K
2 Feb 2024

OMEGA Seamaster Diver 300M Summer Blue Watch

Longines is renowned in the luxury watch industry for excellent timepiece accuracy and high-quality craftsmanship. Here's what you should know before you buy.

A brief history of Longines Watches

Derived from the Swiss Les Longines meaning long meadows, Longines pays homage to the first factory site built in Switzerland in 1867 to manufacture the luxury watches we know today.

The Longines brand started in 1832 when Auguste Agassiz and his two partners established the Saint-Imier establishment to make and sell pocket watches. After becoming head of the company and the watches finding success in the United States, Agassiz took on his nephew, Ernest Francillon, to run the company. Here, Francillon worked on ways to improve the manufacturing methods in watchmaking.

While under Agassiz, the brand used common procedures used in watchmaking whereby watchmakers would work at home and supply their products to the trading offices. However, Francillon wondered about how the industrial revolution would impact the manufacturing process so he decided to take all the different stages of watchmaking and bring them all under one roof.

To achieve this, Francillon bought two adjoining pieces of land in 1866 and built his factory which was completed a year later. The factory was built on the bank of the River Suze, known locally as Les Longines', meaning long meadows, and so Francillon adopted this name for his factory.

Francillon then took on Jacques David who helped develop the machines required for perfecting watch manufacturing. Because of his innovation and industrial thinking, Francillion continually expanded the factory until the early 20th Century.

The research into technology at Longines rewarded them with various prizes, the first of which was awarded at the Universal Exhibition in Paris in 1867 for its first pocket watch product - the 20A. Throughout the brand's history, technical research has allowed Longines to produce high-precision timekeeping and quality manufacturing.

Due to its precise timekeeping reputation, Longines is the official timekeeper in many sports, including equestrian, horse-racing, Formula 1, alpine skiing competitions and gymnastic competitions. To this day, Longines continues to be a reliable and precise timekeeping brand, not only for sports but for all the masses.

Who owns the Longines brand today?

Longines has been a subsidiary of the Swiss Swatch Group, formerly Socit Suisse de Microlectronique et d'Horlogerie (SMH), since 1983. Founded by Nicholas G Hayek, the Swiss Swatch Group is the world watchmaking leader, with other brands such as ETA, Omega, Harry Winston, Hamilton and more under the company.

The current president of Longines is Matthias Breschan who has previously worked for the Swatch Group sister brands, Hamilton and Rado, for a number of years.

Where are Longines items produced now?

Longines watches are still being made in Switzerland, St-Imier, where they were first produced and have remained there since. They are the only watchmaker to have stayed in their original hometown to this day.

What is in the Longines range?

Longines continues to produce one of the most precise timekeeping watches in the world, but their range also includes sunglasses and straps for watches. The Longines tradition of keeping to quality is evident with their ability to provide original straps for watches so you can keep the authentic look of your watch or you can customise it to your preference.

In 2019, Longines began designing, producing and distributing the new optical and sun eyewear range for men and women. This new range embodies the brand's aesthetic and technological know-how to provide exquisite products. The optical and sunglasses range was developed in compliance with the strictest quality requirements and meticulous attention to detail, much like the production of its watches.

Where can I buy Longines products?

Longines products are widely available both online and in-store“ thanks to the company's selected network of retailers. You can find approved retailers in your country that sell authentic Longines products on their websites. Select countries can also purchase from Longines' online stores. At Chisholm Hunter, we stock a wide range of official Longines products including the high-performance HydroConquest for professional divers; the exquisite La Grande Classique collection; the classically authentic Master collection and the impeccable design of the Spirit watches.

How much do Longines products cost?

As with any luxury watch line, prices are on the higher end however, in relation to the rest of the watch industry, Longine places itself as a more attainable and affordable luxury brand compared to its pricier competitors.

Many high street retailers will have Longines products starting from around the £600 mark for the Conquest or La Grande Classique collections and up to several thousands of pounds for collections with more advanced technology and design.

The technical precision and high-quality build of Longines watches coupled with its devotion to tradition and research have helped place the company as the successful luxury brand it is today.

How can I tell if a Longines product is genuine?

Many Longines watches have very small numbers and markings printed on the dial below the number 6. These small markings show the movement number and plate number, which you'll need a magnifying glass to see. Counterfeit Longines watches usually don't have these markings but the ones that do are often done improperly, with defects and have more scratches on the dial surface.

Another way to find out if your Longines watch is genuine is to check the back of the watch case. A genuine Longines watch will be engraved with the watch brand name, the name of the country the watch was manufactured in and special trademark patterns for the watch brand. An authentic Longines watch case is fine and exquisite with a high finish and consistent assembly. A counterfeit watch will have a rough and imprecise watch case. Usually, letters are engraved on the open position of the case to show the amount of gold plating but counterfeit products will not have this mark. You can also check for the authenticity of your watch by going directly to Longines. Since 1867, Longines has kept a record of every single serial number of its watches so you can receive detailed information about your watch and a certificate of authenticity if it is genuine. Longines serial numbers are found engraved on the back of the watch case and are 5 to 8 digits long. In some cases, the serial number may be found on the movement or inside the watch so you may have to remove the case to see it.

Where can I get my Longines watch appraised?

If you'd like to get an appraisal of your Longines products then look for a local jeweller or watchmaker who offers a valuation service.

Older pieces that are in excellent condition will hold their value the best and holding on to pieces that have complicated mechanical workings will give you the highest resale price.

How do I wear my Longines watch?

The beauty of the Longines collection is that a single watch is enough to lift any outfit. Each of the Longines collections will match the occasion, day and outfit. For formal events, many of the Longines collections provide the simple, minimalistic and elegant watch you need to match your outfit.

For casual wearing, you can wear a watch from any of the collections and match it to your outfit, ensuring your arms have the right amount of luxury with elegant dials, gold or silver accents and a classic strap to elevate your look.

How to clean a Longines watch?

Longines watches have been designed to be durable but once in a while, they can require some cleaning to maintain their sharp and elegant look. It's recommended to use a toothbrush and soapy water to clean the metal bracelets and waterproof casings. Then, rinse with clean water and dry with a soft cloth. Your Longines watch should be looking as good as new.

Think a Longines watch could be for you? Take a look at their collection here today.

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STORY

To celebrate the iconic timepiece that is the Seamaster, OMEGA has produced a collection of watches with dials in various shades of Summer Blue. A striking tone reminiscent of a perfect day on a boundless sea. In this article, we’ll delve into the key features of the OMEGA Seamaster Diver 300M model, highlighting its functionality and OMEGA’s innovative design.

Introduction

Omega recently unveiled 11 new additions to its Seamaster collection, commemorating its 75th anniversary. Among these releases is a Summer Blue iteration of the beloved Diver 300M, a model that has held an iconic status since its debut in 1993. Over the past thirty years, the Omega Seamaster Diver 300M has solidified its position as one of the brand's most renowned offerings, firmly establishing itself in Omega's catalogue. Like the other timepieces in the 75th-anniversary lineup, this Diver 300M is meticulously crafted from stainless steel, distinguished by its captivating Summer Blue hue, a departure from the conventional variants of this immensely popular dive watch.

Functionality

Regarding its fundamental structure and functionality, the recently released 75th anniversary Omega Seamaster Diver 300M Summer Blue edition closely resembles its standard-production counterparts. This similarity is indeed advantageous, given that the present iteration of this model is widely acknowledged as a successful formula. Mirroring the core-collection Diver 300M models, the case of the new Summer Blue edition maintains the construction of brushed and polished stainless steel, boasting dimensions of 42mm in diameter and 49.9mm lug-to-lug. Additionally, it includes a signed screw-down crown positioned at 3 o'clock and a conical knob for the helium escape valve protruding from the opposite side of the case at the 10 o'clock mark.

In contrast to the display caseback found in the standard-production versions of the Diver 300M, the 75th anniversary Summer Blue edition showcases a solid screw-down caseback adorned with an engraving depicting Poseidon wielding a trident while being drawn by two seahorses. Despite this departure in the caseback design, the overall thickness of the new Omega Seamaster Diver 300M Summer Blue edition remains consistent at 13.6mm, mirroring the dimensions of the core-collection models. This measurement includes the domed sapphire crystal, which slightly protrudes above the bezel's rim and is treated with anti-reflective coating on both sides.

The new 75th anniversary Omega Seamaster Diver 300M Summer Blue edition is driven by the identical Co-Axial Caliber 8800 automatic movement as seen in the standard Diver 300M models. Operating at a frequency of 25,200bph (3.5 Hz) and possessing a 55-hour power reserve, the Omega Caliber 8800 holds METAS certification as a chronometer. This certification guarantees precise timekeeping within -0/+5 seconds per day (after casing) and ensures resistance to magnetic fields of up to 15,000 gauss. While the Caliber 8800 features a standard quickset for the date display, lacking the ability to adjust the hour hand forwards or backwards like some other Omega movements, it stands as a significant advancement compared to the previous generation of the Diver 300M.

Design and Aesthetics

The primary distinction of the new 75th anniversary Omega Seamaster Diver 300M Summer Blue edition lies in its dial and bezel, setting it apart from the core-collection models. The bezel, a 120-click unidirectional rotating feature, incorporates a high-gloss blue ceramic insert. This insert hosts a fully delineated 60-minute elapsed time scale, highlighted by a luminous dot nestled within the inverted triangle at the zero marker. While the bezel's overall design and markings remain identical to the standard-production versions of the Diver 300M, the timing scale on this new model introduces a Summer Blue-colored Grand Feu enamel finish, delivering an eye-catching tone-on-tone aesthetic.

In line with the Summer Blue color theme, the dial featured in the new Omega Seamaster Diver 300M Summer Blue edition showcases a blue surface adorned with blue-tinted Super-LumiNova applied to the rhodium-plated skeleton hands and hour markers. The dial, crafted from ceramic similar to the core-collection Diver 300M models, includes a date window at 6 o'clock and bears the iconic wave pattern engraving. However, unlike the single-colored dials seen in other Diver 300M watches, the blue ceramic dial of the 75th anniversary Summer Blue edition presents a PVD gradient effect. This effect results in a darkening tone towards the outer edge, creating a seamless blend with the bezel's deep blue hue. Moreover, diverging from the bright red accents found in the standard blue dial Diver 300M model, the new Summer Blue edition opts for a more subdued approach with monochromatic text, foregoing the sporty design detail.

Similar to the new 75th anniversary Summer Blue edition provides a choice between a stainless steel bracelet or a blue rubber strap. Both the bracelet and the strap closely resemble what is available with the standard-production watches. While the rubber strap follows a simple two-piece design, its exceptional execution merits more attention. Although some may express disappointment about its standard tang-style buckle instead of a deployant clasp, it's worth highlighting the thoughtful design of Omega's rubber strap. The secondary free-floating keeper boasts a notch on the inside that securely interlocks with the opposite end of the strap, ensuring a flush fit against the wrist. Additionally, the integrated keeper near the buckle features a robust internal core that extends to the strap's end, preventing potential tearing or damage—a common issue in areas subjected to wear over prolonged use.