The OMEGA Seamaster made its debut in 1948, marking the brand’s 100th anniversary. The model quickly gained popularity among watch enthusiasts and became one of OMEGA’s bestsellers. Today, the Seamaster remains the oldest collection in OMEGA’s lineup.
Early Diving Watch Innovations
Before the Seamaster, OMEGA had already introduced a diving watch—the Marine, released in 1932. This model was worn by Yves Le Prieur, a French Navy officer and the inventor of the modern scuba mask and autonomous diving suit. In 1936, explorer Charles William Beebe tested the OMEGA Marine by diving 14 meters off the coast of Bermuda. By the time the Seamaster was launched in 1948, OMEGA had already established itself as a trusted manufacturer of reliable diving watches.
The First Seamaster (1948)
The first Seamaster was inspired by waterproof military wristwatches developed for British forces during WWII. Unlike previous diving watches that relied on lead or shellac gaskets, which were prone to damage from temperature changes, the Seamaster featured an innovative O-ring gasket that improved water resistance.
OMEGA took inspiration from WWII submarine technology, incorporating a flexible rubber gasket to ensure durability. This innovation allowed the Seamaster to withstand depths of up to 60 meters and extreme temperatures ranging from -40°C to +50°C.
Proving Durability (1956)
To demonstrate the ruggedness of the Seamaster, OMEGA engineers attached the watch to the exterior of an aircraftthat flew over the North Pole in 1956.
Seamaster 300 & the Professional Diving Era (1957–1963)
As scuba diving gained popularity in the 1950s, OMEGA launched the Seamaster 300 in 1957, as part of the iconic Master collection alongside the Speedmaster and Railmaster. Although the Seamaster 300 was marketed as a 300m diving watch, it was officially rated to 200m due to testing equipment limitations.
A standout feature of the Seamaster 300 was its unique Naiad crown, named after the Greek water nymphs. The crown used an internal spring mechanism, which became more watertight as external pressure increased.
In 1963, Jacques Cousteau's team wore the Seamaster 300 during the Conshelf II experiments in the Red Sea, where they tested the feasibility of living and working underwater for extended periods.
Extreme Deep-Sea Models: Seamaster 600 & 1000 (1970s)
In 1970, OMEGA introduced the Seamaster 600 PloProf (Ref. 166.077)—a massive 54mm x 45mm watch designed for professional divers. Weighing 175g, it featured a helium escape valve, but its large size made it impractical for everyday diving. This led to the development of the Seamaster 1000, an improved deep-sea model.
The Fashion-Forward Seamaster (1980s–1990s)
During the 1980s, OMEGA introduced new Seamaster designs featuring bold case shapes and vibrant colors, reflecting contemporary fashion trends. By the mid-1990s, the classic Seamaster 300 was overshadowed by the newer Seamaster Professional models.
However, the Seamaster 300 regained popularity thanks to James Bond. Although Ian Fleming originally wrote Bond as wearing a Rolex, OMEGA was chosen for the films due to its historical association with the British Royal Navy.
In 1995’s "GoldenEye", Pierce Brosnan’s James Bond wore the OMEGA Quartz Seamaster Professional 300. In his following three films (1997, 1999, and 2002), he switched to the automatic Seamaster 300 chronograph.
The James Bond Legacy (2006–2019)
- Daniel Craig wore the Seamaster 300 and Seamaster Planet Ocean in Casino Royale (2006).
- In Quantum of Solace (2008) and Skyfall (2012), Craig continued wearing the Planet Ocean.
- In 2015, OMEGA released the Seamaster 300 Spectre Limited Edition for Spectre.
- In 2019, OMEGA unveiled the Seamaster Diver 300M 007 Edition, celebrating the release of No Time to Die(2020).
Seamaster Anniversary Editions
- 2012: For the London Olympics, OMEGA released the Seamaster 1948 Co-Axial London 2012, featuring a gold case back engraved with the Olympic logo.
- 2017: To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the original Seamaster CK2913, OMEGA reissued a vintage-inspired Seamaster 300 with modern upgrades like SuperLuminova markers and an aluminum bezel.
- 2018: OMEGA launched two Seamaster 1948 Limited Edition models for the collection’s 70th anniversary, staying true to the original design while using updated materials.
Conclusion
With a rich history, innovative designs, and deep ties to professional diving and pop culture, the OMEGA Seamaster remains one of the most iconic and enduring timepieces in horology. As the brand’s longest-running collection, it continues to captivate enthusiasts, divers, and collectors worldwide.