Editorial Mind, Body & Soul New Releases New Watches Omega Seamaster

Dedicated to a worthwhile cause – Introducing the new Omega Seamaster 300M Nekton Edition

Dedicated to a worthwhile cause - Introducing the new Omega Seamaster 300M Nekton Edition

Dedicated to a worthwhile cause – Introducing the new Omega Seamaster 300M Nekton Edition

Editor’s note: This is a Mind, Body & Soul review of the new Omega Seamaster 300M Nekton Edition. In addition to our standard long form reviews, we sometimes preview watches in the form of short descriptions, technical specifications and a creative infographic. These short form reviews, or Mind (stats), Body (design features) & Soul (what’s special) reviews as we like to call them, are meant for those who are in a rush and wish to get their watch fix fast. For our standard reviews, please head to our review section here

new Omega Seamaster 300M Nekton Edition

What is it: The new Omega Seamaster 300M Nekton Edition 

Why: In partnership with Nekton, a not-for-profit research foundation committed to protecting our oceans. Established in 2015, Nekton is committed to the protection and management of the world’s oceans and this UK registered charity works in collaboration with the University of Oxford.

When released: August

Where: Available in stores from October 2020, not limited but special edition 

Who is it for: For the Omega enthusiast who cares about the environment and the oceans. Omega says “To purchase the watch is to play a part in the protection of the world’s oceans”.

How does it do: Bold and very diver-like, it’s a trustworthy watch with cool aesthetics to boast. I say trustworthy because it is certified by META, feature a 300m water-resistance, and can resist magnetic fields of 15,000 gauss. I appreciate that it is not another ‘limited edition’ but rather a special edition, in-production diver that’s dedicated to a worthy cause. Last but not the least I love the addition of subtle colour to the dial with both the ‘Seamaster’ branding and the seconds hand being in complementary red. 

Missing: The collection already has a black dialled 330M – Would have appreciated a new dial colour segue, a display case-back for the better finished calibre 8806, or calibre 8800 with an ever useful date complication. Plus that bezel colour way is reminiscent of some of Rolex’s Yacht-master models and Omega’s own Seamaster Professional America’s Cup from early 2000s. 

Omega Seamaster 400m Nekton Edition Infographic

The Mind

The reference 210.32.42.20.01.002, steel on a rubber strap features the calibre 8806 which is a self-winding with a Co-Axial escapement movement allowing for a decent 55 hour power reserve.

Watch Calibre 8806

It is certified Master Chronometer and approved by METAS. It is resistant to magnetic fields reaching up-to 15,000 gauss and is also highly shock absorbent leading it to be used for just about anything. With a distinctive grade-5 titanium bezel it is built for daily wear and surely is designed to take sufficient beating. The water resistance is a good 300m (30ATM) making it a perfect companion for those underwater missions to explore and conserve the Indian Ocean. 

Omega Submarine new Omega Seamaster 300M Nekton Edition
Omega Submarine

The 29mm diameter movement specifications are pretty much the same as the recently released Omega Seamaster Diver 300M 007 Edition, with the movement beating at a frequency of 3.5 Hz (25,200 vph) and contains 35 jewels. The movement has a free sprung-balance with silicon balance spring and features the capability to be automatically wound in both directions

new Omega Seamaster 300M Nekton Edition

The Body 

The Calibre 8806 is cased inside a 42mm stainless case with a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal that has an antireflective treatment on both sides.

The dial shows the functions of hours, minutes and seconds on a black ceramic [ZrO2] matt finished dial with polished waves in positive relief. The hour markers are applied, raised, and luminous that contrast well with the dial and further aide the time readability. As is the case with the 300M family watches, there is a fair amount of depth to these wave patterns — against the gloss of the dial the matte finish of the wave grooves really enhances this effect — that not only flirts with the light but also provides for a three-dimensional effect to the dial. 

new Omega Seamaster 300M Nekton Edition

The new Omega Seamaster 300M Nekton Edition comes with a screw-in crown to achieve its high water resistance and a unidirectional rotating bezel in grade 5 titanium with laser ablated diving scale in positive relief for the diver to see time elapsed. 

Even though the movement is nicely finished with Geneva waves in arabesque and rhodium-plated rotor and bridges, it is hidden here and features a nicely embossed Nekton submarine medallion and is engraved with NAIAD LOCK, DIVER 300M and the watch’s water resistance.

new Omega Seamaster 300M Nekton Edition

The Soul 

The redeeming quality of the new Omega Seamaster 300M Nekton Edition is an amalgamation of distinctive looks, combination of design features of the 300M family, the backing of a worthy cause and its price point. I also appreciate how the research submersible Seamaster 2 that Omega is supporting is called so in tribute to the boat skippered by the legendary round-the-world yachtsman, the late Sir Peter Blake.

Omega new Omega Seamaster 300M Nekton Edition
new Omega Seamaster 300M Nekton Edition
Sir Peter Blake

The Seamaster has been a staple in the Omega line-up — the Diver 300M collection was first introduced in 1993 and then revamped in 2018 — and undoubtably one of the best value for money entry level luxury watches in the market today. This watch joins the ever expanding range of Omega’s entry-level Seamaster 300M diver-tool watches. If we look at the the new Omega Seamaster 300M Nekton Edition, it sits at a good mid-way point, both price and aesthetics wise, when compared to the existing line-up. In the 42mm diameter segment, on the local end of the spectrum is the Seamaster Co-Axial Diver 300M costing $7’420 AUD in steel & ceramic (ref. 210.32.42.20.04.001) ticking with the calibre 8800 movement. On the other end is the new ‘007 Edition’ costing $12’375 AUD in titanium & aluminium (ref. 210.92.42.20.01.001) ticking with the calibre 8806 movement that takes all the technological beauty of these watches and re-packs them in a more high-end look.

Costing $8’925 AUD is the new Omega Seamaster 300M Nekton Edition. As a special release, it maintains its distinctive looks yet functions as a part of the 300M family. Taking the best of both worlds, like the ‘007 Edition’ it features the more premium finished and sans date calibre 8806 movement, and use of titanium with a distinctive looking bezel. And like the base model, it features the stainless steel body and laser ablated ceramic [ZrO2] dial we have gotten accustomed to. 

In my opinion the new Omega Seamaster 300M Nekton Edition has something for everyone. 

To find out more about this and other Omega watches, visit the Omega website here. All images unless stated otherwise are courtesy ©Omega.

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