As the official timekeeper of the 37^th America’s Cup soon taking place in Barcelona, Omega is marking the occasion with the Seamaster Diver 300M America’s Cup. A time-only version of the brand’s signature dive watch, the latest Seamaster features most of Omega’s material and movement innovations, including a laser-engraved ceramic dial and METAS-certified Master Chronometer movement.

The special edition also sports yachting-specific elements, including a blue ceramic bezel with a regatta countdown scale and a seconds hand counterweight in the form of the America’s Cup trophy.

Initial thoughts

As a special or limited edition, the new Seamaster is not especially interesting since Omega does a lot of them, with several commemorative editions for each sporting events it’s part of. And it’s not just for sports but also the James Bond film franchise.

But as a new Seamaster, the America’s Cup edition works well. For one it’s a good value proposition at US$6,500 on a bracelet, particularly given the specs and features. At the same time, the blue-and-white aesthetic is appealing, especially with the clean, no-date look. And there’s the subtle detail on the minute hand with a gradual colour fade finish that is novel and so far unique in the Omega catalogue.

So leaving aside that it’s yet another commemorative watch – it could do without the large logo on the sapphire back – the America’s Cup edition stands out as of the more appealing Seamaster models.

A regatta diver

Design tweaks aside, the latest edition sticks to the standard Seamaster template, with a stainless steel case that’s 42 mm in diameter and 13.8 mm in thickness.

Water resistant to 300 m, the case features a helium escape valve and a screw-down crown. The unidirectional bezel has a blue ceramic insert that’s unique to this watch. It’s engraved with 10-minute countdown for the start of a regatta.

The dial is also ceramic, a matte white ceramic that’s been laser engraved to create a relief wave pattern. The dial markings, hands, and markers are in blue, but the minute hand has a twist: it goes from blue to red towards the tip.

The blue seconds hand counterweight is in the silhouette of the America’s Cup

The 37th America’s Cup emblem is printed on the sapphire back, with a “B” for Barcelona, the host city for this year’s race. Visible through the back is the cal. 8806, which is METAS certified and thus a Master Chronometer.

Like all of Omega’s new-generation movements, the cal. 8806 is resistant to magnetic fields of up to 15,000 Gauss, boasts 55 hours of power reserve. Because of its silicon hairspring, it runs at an unusual 25,200 beats per hour (3.5 Hz).

Key facts and price

Omega Seamaster Diver 300 m America’s Cup
Ref. 210.30.42.20.04.002

Diameter: 42 mm
Height: 13.8 mm
Material: Stainless steel
Crystal: Sapphire
Water resistance: 300 m

Movement: Cal. 8806
Functions: Hours, minutes and seconds
Winding: Automatic
Frequency: 25,200 beats per hour (3.5 Hz)
Power reserve: 55 hours

Strap: Matching steel bracelet or blue rubber strap

Limited edition: No
Availability: Now at Omega boutiques and retailers
Price: US$6,200 on strap; US$6,500 on bracelet. 

For more, visit omegawatches.com