Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. A Special Omega Seamaster Diver 300m for the 37th America’s Cup
Omega's classic dive with a regatta timing touch.
In recent news, watchmaker Omega has recently announced the renewal of its role as the Official Timekeeper of one of the the world’s most intense sailing races and the oldest trophy in international sport, the America’s Cup. The brand began its partnership with Emirates Team New Zealand and legendary sailor Sir Peter Blake in 1995 and continues to be a strong provider of regatta-themed watches. Speaking about this, there’s a new family member for the America’s Cup, a dedicated Seamaster Diver 300m specifically designed for the 37th edition of the race.
Taking place between 22nd August and 27th October in Barcelona, the 2024 America’s Cup will see the Emirates Team New Zealand, the successful defender in the 36th America’s Cup, fighting against another team yet to be announced (after the qualification races). Omega will once again be the official timekeeper of the event and as such has just introduced an appealing new take on its classic dive watch, the Seamaster Diver 300m. But there’s more to this new edition than just a different colour scheme.
At first, there’s nothing drastically different in this context, with a classic SM300 case of 42mm, with the twisted lugs, the conical crown at 3 o’clock and the Helium Escape Valve at 10 o’clock. Look closely at the blue ceramic insert of the unidirectional bezel and you’ll see the main selling point of this America’s Cup edition: a regatta scale, comprised of two 5-minute pre-start sections, and a START section with a regatta-inspired flag. Practical in the context of a race, the bezel remains also usable as a classic diver’s watch. All other specifications are classic Diver 300M, as seen here.
A classic theme for a sailing watch, the Seamaster Diver 300m America’s Cup Edition is presented in a combination of blue bezel and white dial; the latter being now adorned with a wave pattern laser-engraved in positive relief on the white ceramic matt-finished base. The lumed markers are surrounded in blue and, good point, the date window at 6 o’clock has been removed. Another unique element, the handset has been modified with a blue-red gradient minutes hand and a seconds hand with an America’s Cup trophy counterweight. The same logo, paired with the B of Barcelona, is visible on the see-through back.
The watch is powered by the calibre 8806, an in-house automatic and master chronometer movement, beating at 3.5Hz and storing 55h of power reserve. The watch is presented in a commemorative blue box with red stitching, and can be worn two ways: on a stainless-steel bracelet or blue rubber strap. Both include a patented Quick-Change system.
Released a special, non-limited edition, the Omega Seamaster Diver 300m America’s Cup Edition is priced at EUR 6,800 on rubber and EUR 7,100 on steel. For more details, please visit omegawatches.com.
5 responses
At first I tought they came out with a 37mm. I was happy
As someone who has crewed a racing yacht I am fairly certain this watch is going to be virtually useless as a regatta timer. Omega have a habit of issuing regatta timers that are nearly useless in watches that would make sense as a sailing watch. The Speedmaster X-33 Regatta Timer was an excellent regatta timer and a great idea but the watch had just 30M of water resistance which is hardly adequate even if you manage not to get swamped by a wave. Then there was the Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon Alinghi which was both too fragile for sailing having a ceramic case and had only 50M of water resistance but was nearly illegible as it had a skeletonised dial. The Planet Ocean Deep Black Chronographs for both the Americas Cup and the Volvo World Ocean Race had the legibility and the water resistance but were ceramic so a real problem when racing. In case you did not know it is very physical, very hard work and you get thrown about a lot against hard surfaces. A ceramic watch would be lucky to survive a race. The best regatta timers Omega have come up with are the Aqua Terra NZL chronograph from around 2006 to 2008, enough water resistance at 150M, a highly legible timing function with dots rather than a small sub-dial and stainless steel. The others have been based on the Seamaster Diver Chronographs both the Cal.9900 Master Chronometer from a couple of years ago and the older Cal.3330 versions available from around 2014 to 2016, again enough water resistance and good legibility (not as good as the Aqua Terra NZL though) and stainless steel. To be honest though I used to wear a G-Shock for sailing.
totally agree with SPQR, other problem sailing with a Planet Ocean (42mm diam and 16MM height) is the height, that in my case was always getting hooked with hallyards, sheets, or any rope near the pit.
My Semaster 300m (Nekton edition) is much thinner and do better…
The bigger story here is that Omega is likely to outfit quick release bracelets and no date versions across the model line soon.
Seriously!! Did anyone notice that there is no date at 6 which is only echo the ceramic version and also the “not-yet-released” Roland Garros Daniel Craig version?