A steel and 18K Sedna Gold version with a two-tone bracelet and a steel version with a rubber strap, of the Co- Axial Master Chronometer Chronograph 44mm model which is a member of the Seamaster Diver 300M collection updated this year by Omega, one of the pioneering brand of the watch world, have been with us for a while to review and experience with as a user.
Before speaking of our user experience, let me talk about the watches a little bit. Let’s begin with the two-tone model first:
At this point, we must refer to the 18K Sedna™ Gold, which is one of Omega’s registered alloys. Sedna is named after the 90377 Sedna dwarf planet, one of the ruby-red celestial bodies in the solar system. The alloy is made up of 75% gold, and, 25% copper and palladium, one of the precious metals, each in definite proportions. Thus, blending an alloy of gold was aimed in order that it would have a long-lasting color.
Sedna gold is used in the timepiece’s crown, housings of the chronograph pushers, helium valve, indexes, and second and fourth beads of the bracelet in two thin strips. The bezel is crafted from Ceragold™, another patent of Omega. Ceragold is achieved by flawlessly bringing 18K gold and ceramic together under a special technic.
The dial is made of zirconium dioxide (ZrO2) ceramic and has a laser engraved, fabulous wave pattern.
After that much of words on materials used, let’s have a look at the specifications of the timepiece.
Both the two models have a 44mm diameter case, a water resistance up to 300m, a chronograph function, a black background date display at 6 o’clock, a unidirectional diving bezel, a helium escapement valve, a double AR-coated sapphire crystal, and a transparent caseback.
The watches are fitted with the Omega 9900 caliber with Column Wheel and Co-Axial escapements. The self-winding caliber, thanks to its silicone balance spring, has a magnetic field resistance reaching 15,000 gausses, a power reserve of 60 hours, a Master Chronometer certificate approved by METAS (Swiss Metrology Institute) and a rhodium-plated, Côtes de Genève en Arabesque decoration.
While the old generation Seamaster chronographs had a tri-compax display, in this new 44mm generation, the bi-compax display is preferred. Naturally, the most striking point here is that, on the right-hand sub-dial, the hours and minutes hands of the counter are positioned overlapping as two layers. By this mean, whenever you are on the move to another timezone, if you push the chronograph on just when the local time is 12:00, this sub-dial on the right functions like a second time zone.
Although the two-tone model with a bracelet (Reference 210.20.44.51.01.001), with its diameter of 44mm and voluminous bracelet, daunts you at first, things drastically change when you wear it on your wrist. Having a comfort unexpected of its size, the model is also very glossy and flashy. The polished and matte parts of the timepiece are pretty balanced and finished with a perfect craftsmanship. The contrast between Sedna gold and black ceramic is so striking. The chronograph pushers are made of ceramic, whereas their housings of gold. Pressing the pushers feels very nice, with no worrying sound or vibration at all. The chronograph has a flawless resetting.
Indexes and hands are filled with white Super LumiNova and offering a visual feast.
Although some fanatics are fond of just oyster and jubilee bracelets, I’ve found this bracelet very aesthetical. Having a diver’s extension to be worn on a diver’s suit, the bracelet has a massive construction but makes no rattling sound. Its clasp folds over with a rich sound and feeling.
However flashy and flamboyant and self-revealing the other model is, my favorite among the Seamaster 44mm Chronograph range is this steel version (Reference 210.32.44.51.01.001), a real tool watch with its black dial and rubber strap.
While the steel and ceramic display quite a balanced appearance, it has a very sportive and comfortable stance. The rubber band, giving a feeling of high quality, comes with a normal buckle instead of a folding butterfly clasp and I think such is much more useful on a diver’s watch with a rubber strap.
Having the same technical details with those of the steel-gold version, the basic difference is that the hands are produced rhodium-plated instead of gold-plated.
During the time we have had the opportunity to experiment with the watches, we enjoyed very much. Although we were not able to go for a diving, we sailed on the Bosporus since we didn’t want to keep the watches afar from the sea. Frankly speaking, though they might be comfortably worn on every occasion, I believe they are so fit for the sea atmosphere and yachting theme.
Finally, the Omega Diver 300m Omega Co-Axial Master Chronometer Chronograph 44 mm received a big applause from the Team WatchMania. We think it is a good alternative to be taken into consideration among the recent sports watches, absolutely.
For more information, other versions and prices, you may refer to Omega’s official website: https://www.omegawatches.com/
