[gamehawker]

I currently have an Omega Constellation Chronograph (quartz) and have been thinking about a new watch lately. I have narrowed it down to two choices:

1) Seamaster Planet Ocean Chronograph (orange bezel, black dial, stainless steel band)

or

2) Seamaster 300 M Chronograph Diver (blue bezel, blue dial, stainless steel band)

Does anyone have any experiences with either of these two watches or opinions which one should I buy?

TIA

[codeyf]

I love the 45mm PO. Would be one of my first purchases upon winning the lotto

[pens]

The Planet Ocean is a great watch...

But it is not considered "elite", which may exclude you from select gatherings of smokers.

[gamehawker]

Anymore opinions?

[hoffman]

Ask SuperBelly, or Corona Gorda.

[cigarvp]

Digging my latest add from Panerai.

Happy piece hunting!

[GGinSF]

Both are very nice. I'm partial to the looks of the Chrono Diver, since I've always liked the blue faced Seamasters. I also prefer the medium-sized 41.5mm case of the Diver over the large 45.5mm size of the Planet Ocean. However, I'm pretty sure the Omega 3313 movement in the Planet Ocean is a better movement than the Diver's 1164.

If you're asking which is the better watch, I'd answer the Planet Ocean (but I'd probably buy the Diver).

[GGinSF]

Hmm, just read up a bit on the Omega 3313 movement. Although it's more "exclusive " than the 1164, it doesn't get as favorable reviews.

[GGinSF]

Here's an interesting comment about diver chronograph models (not important if you're not using it for actual diving, though):

The non-functionality of the chronograph on divers' watches has always struck me as a glaring sticking point.

The case perforations for the chronograph crowns, even though the screw down, are potential failure points for the case integrity under pressure. And since the function they exist to support isn't even available while the watch is used for its main purpose - diving - it's hard to see how they are justified in being there. You essentially have two watches - a divers' watch below the surface where you can't use the chronograph, and a chronograph above when you're not diving. The chronograph only weakens the reliability of the diving function, and the diving functionality is irrelevant to the chronograph function. Bad design.

But chronographs that do function underwater can be useful for timing decompression stops and other events - if they are reliable in terms of overall watch integrity. There are many so-called diver chronographs on the market today, but most of them fall into the "bad design" category described above - and it can sometimes be difficult to tell from their marketing copy which are and which are not functional.

[cjswag]

I have two of the Seamaster pro's. The ones I am down to now are the Titanium chronometer with the electric blue face and the SS chronometer with white dial and SS bezel. I love both. In the next few weeks I'll be picking up a Planet Ocean with Orange bezel.

While not elite, I love the Omegas. They work very well, keep excellent time, and look classy. If you have any more questions about the SMP's (or want to sell the Omega you have now), drop me a line. I may be interested.

[CPT STOGIE]

There were three iterations of the 3313 movement. The first one had a lot of issues and the successive iterations have seemed to eliminate them.

Check out the Omega forum on www.timezone.com for some additional info.

I love the look of both watches but they are too much of a "presence" i.e. HUGE on my wrist for me to actually enjoy either one.

[Monte3]

The blue seamaster chrono will be more versatile than the orange bezel PO.

[Docbarry]

I wear the Seamaster 300. It is a geat utility watch because it has a sweep second hand and date.

I HATE the band, it constantly pops open and in the summer when my wrist swells in the warm weather I have to get it resized.

I asked if I could replace the band with a leather band and was told I could not.

[cjswag]

Barry, you most certainly can. Check out Timezone.com. Lots of companies make replacement bands. I've SEEN Seamaster 300's with leather bands.

[STARDOGG]

Originally Posted by gamehawker

Anymore opinions?

IMO Audemars makes a impeccable watch no doubt It's not a watch u see on a day to day basis either! Unique for the lack of a better term

[gamehawker]

Thanks for the watch advice and opinions!

[pens]

My favorite watches are two vintage models, and they perform as well as any new watch I've ever had.
The Tudor Submariner, and Omega 300.

[cjswag]

Your watch has an INVISIBLE BAND???? COOL!!!! :wink:

[pens]

Originally Posted by cjswag

Your watch has an INVISIBLE BAND???? COOL!!!! :wink:

I don't think you would prefer a wrist pic with the watch and band virtually buried in hair.

[cjswag]

LOL

[Monte3]

Only if it were buried in beaver hair ...

[bkwalker]

I had the Planet Ocean Chrono; eventually sold it for about $400 more than I bought it for. It was too big and heavy. I have a 7 1/2 inch wrist. Just too big to wear every day in my opinion. On the bracelet, it's well over 300 grams.

The Seamaster is nice, but not my taste either. The vintage Omega SM300 mentioned above. I have that and love it. I also find the Speedmaster is extremely comfortable and goes with the bracelet or strap. Pic's of both. I have 2 Speedy's.

[cjswag]

How easily does the face scratch on that Speedy? I looked into them but was turned off that they use a plastic instead of sapphire crystal. I'd guess they were much easier to scratch but could be very wrong about that.

[eldorado]

My "Moon" scratches pretty easily. Never have had a problem with my "Bond" sapphire.

[cjswag]

That's what I was thinking. None of my SMP's scratch easily at all.

[bkwalker]

Originally Posted by cjswag

How easily does the face scratch on that Speedy? I looked into them but was turned off that they use a plastic instead of sapphire crystal. I'd guess they were much easier to scratch but could be very wrong about that.

I'm told it scratches easily. To stay true to it's heritage, it's made of hezalite. For space travel, they needed something that wouldn't shatter. sapphire crystal does shatter, but won't scratch (or is very hard to). The hezalite won't shatter, but can scratch. But, with polywatch, it buffs out perfectly in less than 2 minutes, so there's no hassle. You have the nicer look of hezalite, plus it makes the watch a tad lighter. Non-issue for me. Of course, they make the Speedy with the sapphire crystal as well, if it's an issue.

[BrooklynNYCigarLover]

I just called my best friend who is one of the biggest jewlers in nyc and this is what he said "personally I would go with the Planet Ocean Chrono it is one of there newest styles and its pretty popular right now the 300 M Chrono Diver is the new style Jams bond watch its been around for a while and I think they are fazing it out" if you need a price let me know I could ask him what he could do or I could give you his number and you could ask him yourself

[Fuente Fan]

Originally Posted by hoffman

Ask SuperBelly, or Corona Gorda.

Second

[MNeadle]

Are watches about performance or status and styling? I check my Blackberry when I need to know the time.

[Fuente Fan]

ditto Mark, I just use my cell phone.

[GGinSF]

Originally Posted by MNeadle

Are watches about performance or status and styling? I check my Blackberry when I need to know the time.

For me. a mechanical wrist watch is about sophisticated mechanical design, jewelry, history, art & function. Getting the time from your cell phone or a simple digital watch only satifies the function part.

[eldorado]

How do you use polywatch. Hand buff or wheel?

[bkwalker]

I have skills

Originally Posted by eldorado

How do you use polywatch. Hand buff or wheel?

[avoxo]

my watch is my jewlrey

[Brandon]

I don't have an opinion on the Planet Ocean, although I've heard it's a really good watch (mechanical wise.) I heard it supposedly has the co-axial movement that Omega invented. I have a 2002 (or is it '03) 50th Anniversary Seamaster GMT and this guy is a workhorse! It's a no nonsense always faithful timepiece that I wear maybe 75% of the time. Not to mention it's a chronometer. (Thats always a good thing. My other watch is a chronometer too.)

[Brandon]

What the heck,....I took some pictures but it didn't link in my last post...dang it!

[Brandon]

[Brandon]

Ahh - there you go!

[gamehawker]

Nice looking watch!

[cjswag]

That Seamaster GMT to me seems like the Omega version of the Rolex GMT. Good looking watch, to be sure.

[Heartdoc]

I have a Planet ocean with orange bezel and stainless band. I've had it for a couple of years now and have found it to be nearly indestructable. I wear it daily from the clinic to duck hunting. Other than wear on the outside of the clasp it looks new. Also I get more complements on it than any of my other watches which are considerably more expensive. I would try it on before you buy b/c it is a very heavy watch but I love mine.

[cjswag]

Agree with HeartDoc regarding the weight. Between that and the size, I decided against it. I'm just too short and small of a frame to pull it off. But it's gorgeous.

[Heartdoc]

Also you could Swim like Michael Phelps! I also like the black rubber band that you can but as a replacement.

Bryan

[cjswag]

Despite the size, I'm strongly considering the PO with black rubber strap. Great look imho. There's a black rubber PO strap for sale right now by itself on Timezone.com for $135 which is a steal. Kind of a FYI in case you need a replacement, Heartdoc.

[Heartdoc]

Thanks, cjswag,

I'll have to check that out.