Omega Seamaster: the watch that conquered the depths and the cinema

The Omega Seamaster, has become over the years a true emblem of Swiss know-how and passion for exploration, while constantly adapting to the demands of each era. Discover its history in this retrospective article! 

The origins of the Seamaster: a military and civilian heritage

The Seamaster was born in 1948, at thesecond-hand of the centenary ofOmegaIts DNA draws directly from the experience acquired by the brand during the Second World War, where Omega supplied more than half of the waterproof watches of the Royal Air Force.

With this experience, Omega then created the very first model in the series Seamaster CK 2518 unveiled at the 1948 Basel Motor Show. This was aimed more specifically at the civilian market, including from urban gentlemen to outdoor adventure enthusiasts. It then offers watches with robustness and water resistance of up toup to 30 meters, borrowed from its military origins, with a new design that stands out with a touch of refinement and elegance specific to civilian life. In short, the Seamaster of this era aims to be a multidisciplinary watch, adapted: “for the city, the sea and the countryside”.

The diving revolution: the Seamaster 300

The real turning point came in 1957 with the release of the Seamaster 300 CK 2913. This watch is then part of the famous Omega trilogy alongside the Speedmaster and the Railmaster. 

The Seamaster 300 CK 2913 was designed to accompany professional divers, particularly those in the Royal Navy And the British army between 1967 and 1971, at a time when professional diving imposed increasingly high demands in terms of reliability and safety.

This model innovates with its spring-mounted Naiad crown, its ultra-legible display with large arrow hands and indexes on a black background, as well as its robust 41 mm case, guaranteeing better water resistance and readability at depth. 

Although its name promised resistance to 300 meters, the official certification only exceeded 200 meters, a detail that caused much controversy upon its release. But the essential point was there: a reliable instrument, equipped with a high-performance automatic movement, capable of withstanding the extreme conditions of the seabed.

The Seamaster 300 quickly became the watch of choice for many explorers and divers, particularly Jacques-Yves Cousteau, an emblematic figure of underwater exploration, who wore it during his "Precontinent II" experiments in 1963, in order to test prolonged life on the seabed.

The technical revolution of the 1970s : the Seamaster Ploprof 600

In this continuity, the 1970s saw the birth of exceptional models such as the Seamaster 600 Ploprof, capable of reaching depths of over 600 meters thanks to its one-piece construction and helium valve, specially designed for saturation diving and extreme environments; tested during operations carried out by the COMEX.

Its hermetically sealed, one-piece stainless steel case achieves water resistance to 600 meters, without the need for a traditional helium escape valve. This construction eliminates potential entry points for helium, a gas used in professional divers' breathing mixtures, thus avoiding risks during decompression. Its left-hand crown with protective stirrup and bezel locking mechanism prevent accidental adjustment and allow optimal readability even when wearing gloves.

Safety is enhanced by a push-button bezel lock, preventing accidental adjustment during deep dives. Powered by the Omega 1002 automatic caliber, the Ploprof 600 combines robustness, readability, and technical innovations, becoming an essential tool for professionals in industrial and scientific diving.

SHOM (Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service of the Navy) and the French Navy also selected this Seamaster to equip their professional divers at the end of the 1970s, demonstrating the confidence placed in the brand by specialist institutions.

Omega Seamaster 120 

In the 1980s, Omega called upon the famous designer Gerald Genta to reinvent the Seamaster with the 120 Titanium version. This watch, water-resistant to 120 meters, is distinguished by its integrated case and bracelet made of titanium, an innovative material for the time. The two-material appearance, with inlays of precious metals such as gold or palladium, and the contrast of the polished and brushed finishes, give the Seamaster 120 a futuristic and refined style. Powered by a quartz movement, it symbolizes aesthetic and technical innovation, while marking the relaunch of the Omega brand during a pivotal period in its history

Omega Seamaster 120 for Jacques Mayol 

The Seamaster 120 Jacques Mayol, is an iconic watch from the 1980s, designed by Gérald Genta to accompany the famous freediver during his record-breaking freediving descents to 101 meters in 1981.

With its 37mm case and integrated bracelet, it boasts an instantly recognizable design inspired by the creations of Genta. Equipped with an Omega 1337 quartz movement, it embodies modernism and precision. Available in steel or in a bi-material gold & steel version, the Seamaster 120 Jacques Mayol is particularly sought after today for its history linked to underwater exploration and its singular aesthetic, as well as Omega's creative audacity at that time.

Omega Seamaster Professional 200 m: the transition to modernity

In the late 1980s, Omega introduced the Seamaster Professional 200 m, also nicknamed "Pre-Bond". This model, available in steel or a two-tone version, features a 36 mm case, water resistance to 200 meters and a quartz movement (caliber 1438). Its modern design, robustness and versatility make it a watch suitable for both professional diving and everyday use. This model marks the transition to the Seamaster Professional Diver 300m, a future icon of the brand, and remains prized by collectors for its pivotal role in the evolution of the range.

James Bond's Seamaster

In the 1990s, the Seamaster entered a new dimension with the collection Diver 300M. This model, which has become famous on James Bond's wrist since 1995, is attractive for its sporty design, its robustness and its technical innovations such as the helium valve. 

Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra: versatile and elegant 

The Seamaster Aqua Terra was introduced in 2002 to combine elegance and sporty functionality, quickly establishing itself as a versatile watch suitable for both urban life and water activities. Its sleek design, with a dial often adorned with the "teak" motif reminiscent of yacht decks, subtly evokes the marine world while remaining highly sophisticated. Water-resistant to 150 meters, it offers sufficient robustness for most water-related uses. Over the years, the collection has been enriched with numerous versions, including Co-Axial Master Chronometer calibers guaranteeing precision and resistance to magnetic fields. Available in several sizes (including 34, 38 and 41 mm), it comes in a wide range of materials and colors, making it a popular choice for its balance between sportiness and elegance..

Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean

The Seamaster Planet Ocean was launched in 2005 to meet the needs of demanding professional and amateur divers. It features exceptional water resistance up to 600 meters, a unidirectional rotating bezel made of ultra-resistant ceramic, and a helium escape valve allowing saturation diving. Its robust case, often made of stainless steel or titanium, is designed to withstand extreme underwater conditions. The Planet Ocean incorporates the Co-Axial Master Chronometer calibers, ensuring increased precision and reliability. It also offers complications such as a chronograph and GMT function, reinforcing its status as a versatile tool watch for deep-sea explorers. Its sporty and contemporary design also makes it a highly sought-after watch beyond the diving world.

Omega Seamaster Ploprof 1200M, the last of the series

The Seamaster Ploprof 1200M is a modern reinterpretation of the iconic 1970s model, launched in 2016. Designed for extreme diving, it offers remarkable water resistance up to 1,200 meters thanks to a solid monobloc O-MEGASTEEL case, a protected screw-down crown and an innovative bezel locking system. Its oversized orange minute hand and blue sunray dial ensure optimal readability in the most challenging environments. Powered by the Co-Axial Master Chronometer caliber 8912, this watch combines robustness, precision and advanced technology. The Ploprof 1200M is a true professional instrument intended for very deep divers, perpetuating the technical and aesthetic heritage of the Seamaster in the field of extreme diving.

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