The Omega Seamaster Diver 300M line – like the serviced 2000’s Omega Seamaster 300M Ref. 2254.50 here, on its original bracelet – needs little introduction. With a professional-grade steel case and laser-engraved wave dial, the watch finds itself as the modern watch of choice for James Bond (but importantly, also actual real-life professional adventurers) – few divers deserve praise as much as the Seamaster 300M.
Omega debuted its Ref. 2254.50 in 2000, with its printed dial configuration recalling earlier vintage stylings – to include a pair of broadsword hands – of legendary Omega divers. There is much to love about this dive watch, given its faithful embodiment of 1990s/early 2000s Omega style.
The 2254.50 is purpose-built, stark, stripped of all unnecessary accoutrement of previous watches. Rather than the more decorative, smaller lume markers on its blue wave-dialed, skeleton-handed Omega Ref. 2220.80 “James Bond” counterpart, the 2254.50 features big blocky markers. The best ingredients of the Omega Seamaster line are all here — brilliant aluminum insert and bold numeral scalloped bezel, classic sharp twisted cased lugs, and Omega’s timeless sword hands.
And the 2254.50 design still features many historic fan favorites, like a curvy 300-meter water-resistant case and unidirectional bezel, polished and brushed finishing throughout, and 10 o'clock helium escape valve. It’s a timeless, elegant, and rugged design.
Speaking of sword hands, Omega’s 2254.50 isn’t the first model to feature these – the design was featured in some historic legendary Omega divers, to include the 1960s Seamaster 300 165.024, a classic Seamaster reference with a rich history involving the British Royal Navy, which commissioned a number of these watches; the 1970s Omega PloProf Seamaster 600 (166.077), Seamaster 1000 (166.093), and “Baby PloProf” Seamaster 200 (166.0177). Alas, in contemporary times Omega appears to abandoned all traces of its iconic swords hands – the current Omega catalog features nary a single watch with the same hands.
But let’s back up a bit.
Omega debuted the Seamaster family in 1948 to celebrate the company’s Omega’s 100th anniversary loosely based upon designs made for the British Royal Navy near the end of World War II, and was, in essence, a “splash-proof” dress watch – it now holds the honor of the longest running model since Omega’s founding in 1848.
By the mid-1990s, Omega Seamaster had fallen slightly out of popularity; however the Seamaster received a major boon when it was selected as the James Bond watch. Although Bond’s author Ian Flemming had Bond with a Rolex watch in his novel (and Flemming wore a Rolex himself), Omega pushed Rolex out of the film as the costume designer noted Omega was more historically relevant to the British Royal Navy and, in turn, the James Bond character.
This Omega diver comes with its original Omega Seamaster-signed bracelet, nylon strap, springbar tool, and rugged travel case.
2000s Omega Seamaster 300M Ref. 2254.50 Diver w/Original Bracelet
DIAL: Omega Seamaster-signed dial, with its signature “wave” pattern, and matching hands – second hand maintains its vibrant red hue, with no fade. Excellently bright lumed indices and hands, which shine brightly when exposed to strong light.
CASE: A hefty 42mm (w/o crown, 45.5mm with) x 47mm stainless steel case, with brushed sides and sharp caselines, as well as the usual wear for a watch thats been worn as designed; matching caseback features a crisp Omega Seamaster hippocampus logo.
CRYSTAL: Original sapphire crystal, no cracks, scratches, or blemishes.
BAND: Original stainless-steel Omega Seamaster-signed bracelet with normal light “desk diver” rash; links remain tight. Bracelet will accommodate up to an approx. 7.25 inch wrist (with wetsuit extension used, 8.25 inches). This Seamaster 300M also comes with a leather-backed grey canvas strap.
MOVEMENT: Original chronometer-rated and rhodium‑plated finished Omega Calibre 1120 automatic movement, based upon the ETA 2892-A2. This Omega 2254.50 diver has recevied a service.
CROWN: Omega stainless-steel crown; separate original Omega-signed helium escape valve. The 2254.50's decompression system allows helium to escape from inside the watch when worn for professional use (long-term underwater work, crude oil exploration, etc) in pressure chambers.