The family of dive watches by Omega is wide, as it includes the both robust and elegant Planet Ocean 600m, the superlative Ploprof 1200m or the vintage-inspired 300 Master Chronometer. Those 3 are the high-end propositions but the range is also composed of a more affordable and professionally oriented tool-watch, the Seamaster Diver 300m. This legend that exists for ages is now the field for a new special edition celebrating the partnership between Omega, the America’s Cup and the ETNZ (Emirates Team New Zealand) – and it has to be said, this Omega Seamaster Diver 300m ETNZ is probably one of the best looking Seamaster 300m watches ever.
This new Omega Seamaster Diver 300m ETNZ special edition can be called a Yachting / Regatta watch because of its specific chronograph function. Let us explain what such a watch is. In the world of yachting races, navigators have to aligned on the starting line – like in every race. However, a boat is not static and the starting line has to be crossed at a certain moment. To help navigators, the organization teams of such races are launching a 5-minute countdown before the start to help the boats to align on the starting line. Aware of such a countdown, some brands decided to create Regatta watches. Two types can be found:
- the simple chronographs with a inverted 5-minute scale on the minute sub-counter – like the previous Omega Seamaster 300m Louis Vuitton Cup
- the complicated ones with a proper countdown mechanism – like the Rolex YachtMaster II or the Panerai Luminor Regatta
Omega choose the simple solution for this new special edition of the Seamaster Diver 300m chronograph – a solution which is however not void of interest and known to be easier to use. This is not a first for the brand, as they already uses the same base watch for the Louis Vuitton Cup Edition. They also used a Regatta display on the rare and vintage Omega Seamaster Chronograph Yachting 176.010. As said, the solution to have the 5-minute countdown is here simple. Omega goes for an inverted minute scale that works as a countdown (on the minute counter at 3) and use a classical chronograph movement without any mechanical changes (here is the Co-Axial calibre 3330, a movement with an Si14 silicon balance spring and column wheel).
The shape of the watch is known, as it uses the typical Omega Seamaster 300m shape, meaning a large and robust notched bezel and a 44mm case with the lyre lugs, so dear to Omega. However, if the look of this watch is common to Omega fans, the materials used are much different. First, the case is made of brushed grade 2 titanium. Then, the bezel features a black ceramic insert with relief numerals and scale (obtain with a laser that removes some material around these numerals). It has a matt finish except the upper part of the numerals that are polished, for a better contrast.
Like the case, the dial is also made of matt sand-blasted titanium, giving a nice light grey colour. The large indexes as well as the hands are contrasting with a white paint and some luminous tips. The dial features 3 classical sub-dials (what we call a tri-compax layout), meaning a small running second at 9, an hour counter at 6 and the regatta / minute counter at 3. It also comes with a date in a window at 6.
Several red accents (on the chronograph counter and on the chronograph hands) enliven this all grey / white dial. Same goes for the pushers, as the one to start the chronograph features a red aluminum insert and the one to stop it has a black ceramic insert. Thus, all the elements linked to the chronograph functions are enlighten by this red colour.
The Omega Seamaster Diver 300m ETNZ special edition comes on a rubber strap with a folding buckle. This strap has two distinct faces, as the outter face is black and ribbed and the inner face is red with a sail pattern that facilitates the circulation of water under the strap.
More info on Omega’s dedicated page.
[source by:http://monochrome-watches.com/omega-seamaster-diver-300m-etnz-35th-americas-cup/]
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