Great review. I own both of these pieces. My thoughts: Comparing them head-to-head is like comparing a Gibson Les Paul to a Fender Telecaster. Any serious player will eventually want both! Personally, for whatever reason my Seamaster gets more wrist time. As you duly note, the Omega looks (much!) better on a leather strap, is fantastic on an Omega NATO, and I like the fact that it has less text on the dial. It’s a bit “under the radar” as well. At a glance, people know it’s nice, but they don’t always know exactly what it is.
So, to paraphrase, if you want the “better” watch, buy Omega. If you want “prestige” and make money, buy Rolex. Just about sums it up really. Surely you buy the watch you like and can afford? Personally, I prefer Omega which is fortunate because buying a Rolex is not straight forward and under no circumstances is a Rolex, any Rolex worth grey market prices. But that’s just my opinion. Lots of others would disagree but bearing in mind, for the grey price of some Rolex Professional watches, you could afford some serious high horology pieces which would blow Rolex away on whichever measure you care to choose.
@@gervers touch a nerve?? Not at all. I wouldn’t let an ignorant little f’’k on RU-vid upset me in the least. And I own and enjoy both brands myself. But you are an absolute idiot if you think this Seamaster is superior to the new 2020 sub.
Good review Tim. I think I'd go against the grain of the Rolex cache and choose this Omega. 234.30.41.21.01.001 I own a seamaster pro 300 chronograph and an Aquaterra latest Gen and still I crave the 300 vintage....
the omega in my opinion looks amazing and this is coming from someone who usually doesn't like vintage looking watches but I would pick the Omega anyday unless I felt like a pretentious showoff snob still a good watch but omega wins overall 😆😆😆😎👍
Agreed. Tim doesn't like the idea that the design was brought back from obsolescence, but it was brought back for a reason: its aesthetics. This is a homage to its original just like modern Panerai Radiomirs are, and nobody's complaining about those as teetering on the brink of obsolescence.
I have both - got the sub for college graduation and the spectre for promotion at my job. put the spectre on a leather strap and it's a perfect daily beater. the sub is more for weekends and special occasions. to each its own purpose.
In this comparison I'm inclined to disagree on everything except price (where Rolex always loses), as the Submariner has the objectively better movement, and wears noticeably better, especially on slimmer wrists. However, if this was the latest 2021 Omega SM300, I might be inclined to agree with you, as the new SM300 fixes almost all the ways the Rolex beat the Omega here, taking more than 1mm off the thickness, adding a METAS certified movement, with a new tapered bracelet, all while still winning the value comparison.
As you said the Rolex is more the status symbol with many people buying just because of the name, assuming you can even get one. From my point of view these are two distinctly different watches.
Both Rolex & Omega are similar and different at the same time, in my humble opinion. In terms of similarities, both Rolex & Rolex has their own lines of sport models (Submariner vs Seamaster, Daytona vs Speedmaster etc). In terms of difference, Rolex has more of a conservative approach on their designs, which is why there isn't much distinctive differences between older and newer models over the years. However, I believe Tudor is not just a more affordable alternative to Rolex ,but it has also become, from what I see, an alternative product where new designs are constantly being experimented while maintaining Rolex quality standards. Omega, on the other hand, is always releasing new designs. In addition, Omega ,many times, takes a step back into the past by releasing homages to older models (humble beginnings) while incorporating with their most current (and one of the best) technologies to increase durability.
Absolutely no winner and no loser in this battle. Take note - I just dropped nearly 12K on a 16610 random serial. Aesthetically and brand wise though - this Seamaster is my choice here.
My boi Tim delivers again with another masterpiece. Would love to see a comparison of heritage models from Longines (e.g. Longines Marine Nationale) vs perhaps Oris Big Date models! Cheers, Larry
Good review Tim! While you detailed the accuracy of the Sub quite well, I would have liked a bit more commentary on the Omega’s. Their Master Chronometer, METAS standard is, I believe equal to Rolex’s internal standards. I admit to some bias as I am an Omega fan. Thanks for keeping us informed.
Very true, however this Omega is not a METAS certified Master Chronometer; rather the earlier "Master Co-axial Chronometer" which features the current 15000 Gauss anti-magnetism, but is only a standard COSC chronometer. The new 2021 update of the SM300 does feature a 8900 series movement, with METAS certification, so I do believe the current model has a movement equal to this Rolex.
Agreed, between those two watches I'd have the Rolex (at MSRP of both). Now, if you had put the Rolex up against one of those new all-blue Seamasters in steel, it would be a whole other story (Seamaster wins, handily, in that case).
Between these two I'd pick the Omega for a couple of reasons. Firstly, I think it's the single best 007 collaboration, as instead of covering the dial with Bond references they instead created a legitimately different version of the SM300. Secondly, Omega's always win the value comparison for me and this is no different (high resale is nice if buy new, but sucks if it's the only way to get one). If I'm being objective however, I agree that the Submariner is the better watch, and the winner here. It's noticably slimmer, wears better, and has a better bracelet and movement. That said, if this was the new 2021 SM300, instead of the older version, this comparison would be a perfect draw, with a slight advantage to the Omega. The new SM300 is noticeably slimmer (although still a little thicker than a Sub) and now includes a tapered bracelet, closing the wearability gap (and it still better looking on a strap). It's upgraded to Master Chronometer, so movements are a draw. Finally, while more expensive than the better value SM Diver 300M, it's still the easy value/availability winner compared to a Rolex Submariner.
The Seamaster 300 Heritage models are my ATF timepieces. They just do it for me. The Spectre watch is stunning. That being said, there is no denying how great and classic the Submariner is. Tough choice; both get ample wrist time, but between them the Omega is my preference.
The newest version of the Omega looks the same as the Spectre version to all but the most ardent enthusiast. It has an updated movement (8912), it's slimmer, has a proper unidirectional dive bezel, an interesting cut-out dial for the luminescent indices which not only gives it a 3d look but increases the lume time and most importantly, can be bought on the used market for around $4500 against he Sub's $14,000! Compared in that real--world scenario, it makes the Omega not only the much better choice, it's the much smarter choice, unless you can buy the Rolex new of course...
I don’t like the 007 branding on anything that can been seen when the watch is worn. Put something on the caseback if they need to. In this comparison, IMO, the Rolex is a better watch but not a better value. I, however, don’t like the update to 21mm lug width. I wish Omega would just make the heritage Seamaster 300 without the faux patina. And make the lug width 20mm. Other than that, it’s a beautiful watch. Omega, I’ll be waiting for this.
Comparing the sub with the Seamaster 300 standard version (non spectre) is more evenly match. The spectre is not an apple to apple comparison. Besides u missed out the liquid metal bezel on the Omega which is more refined
I have a 14060m and the stamped clasp bracelet fits like skin. I never thought I’d say this but I also have a great white 2538.20.00 with a brushed 3 link and the bracelet is better! The clasp, Rolex takes it all day long with adjustability. I just wish I could get my hands on another sub to get that solid link bracelet!!! Mmmmmm…. Tim always finds a way to get me in trouble!👍
I like the Submariner better. They lost me for a while with the first six digit but with the 2020 redesign it has regained its beauty and has so many technical improvements over my five digit that I’m considering one in the future when I bring mine in for its next service.
Technically until No Time To Die is released this is still the current Bond watch, but you're absolutely correct that anyone that wants the latest Bond watch would instead pick the newer Diver 300M 007 (which is probably the second best Omega/007 collaboration since this Spectre).
Hat e the confidence ring on Rolex and I hate the 007 in the omega. Not trying to be a stubborn ass, but if either got rid of them I’d have both. Nitpickie I know.
Your review is so underrated, amazing knowledge, love it, if you were my salesman i would struggle to decide as much as i would at the beginning lol, not due to lack of knowledge but due to abundance of it! Im more of an Omega person overall but you introduced Rolex to me in a way it should be.
I would wear the Rolex in my pool but never to go on vacation to dive. To much attention. It’s a status symbol like you said. My heart says omega but honestly, there’s hardly anything beating that no date rolex
Rolex by a mile. Omega's bezels suck - even the Planet Ocean, a 6,000 dollar watch, has bezel play, like a cheap Seiko. Also, Omega watches are too thick, Omega doesnt have the finesse or the know-how to do a simple diver below 12,5mm. I hate Rolex as a brand, but Submariner is still unbeatable.
There isn't play on the Omega bezel. Yes it is thicker. New Omega is finished better than new sub. Rolex sub though will always be more demandable, Omega is better value
@@bdegrds Yes, there is. I had the two latest Seamaster versions, Planet Ocean 45mm (aluminium bezel) and the latest Planet Ocean (liquid metal) and all of them have play - some more than the others. I like the Omega design more, but, damn, why can't they do a simple thing like this?
@@maximoplf something is wrong with yours, I'm wearing the new 300m right now, no play on the bezel. I have an old "banana" 200m, that has no play either
My submariner has play too. Rolex is not the brand of ultimate perfection that fanboys pretend it to be. I agree on the thickness but that is due to the glass casebacks. The latest bond watch which has a normal caseback is the same thickness as the sub (if you don’t count the domed glass).
