Omega’s Seamaster 300M Paris is clad in medal gold
Fergus NashOmega’s relationship with the Olympic Games dates back to Los Angeles 1932, acting as the Official Timekeeper and enjoying the handy bonus of having their logo plastered everywhere. It’s undoubtedly one of the most important partnerships in watchmaking, as the Games have been among the most popular sporting events in the world ever since their modern reincarnation in 1896. There has been no shortage of Omega special Olympic editions in the past, but for Paris 2024 it seems they’ve taken inspiration from the world’s fashion capital. As a result, the Omega Seamaster Diver 300M Paris 2024 is perhaps the most glamorous Seamaster yet.
The dial
Omega are no strangers to creating beautiful sports watches in the colours of blue, white and red, and it frankly would have been too easy to create an Olympic special edition with France’s national colours. Instead, they’ve adapted the official colours of Paris 2024 and made them shine with luxurious finishing. Gold was an obvious choice of highlight for the Olympic Games do to the medal connotations, but Omega went beyond that. The white ceramic dial, which is usually laser-etched to create deep grooves, now has the wave dial in positive relief and a polished finish. This creates a more subtle effect, as well as some reflectivity that plays with the golden glints of the hands and applied indices.
Another subtle touch is the date wheel which displays numbers in the Paris 2024 typeface, specifically designed to represent the city’s link with the Art Deco movement. Less subtle is the luminous emblem carried by the seconds hand, depicting the symbol of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The figure of Marianne is widely dispersed throughout the French Republic, and is intrinsically linked with the “Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité” motto. This version of her is heavily stylised with a modern bob, giving her silhouetted face the shape of an Olympic flame.
The case
As a structure for an athletics-themed watch, it makes a lot of sense to use the Seamaster Diver 300M. It’s just refined enough to feel formal, especially when it’s given gold touches, but still sporty enough to actually lead an active life. A lot of focus is drawn by the bezel, not just because of its 18k Moonshine Gold lustre, but because of its finishing. The majority of the bezel is blasted to give it a rough, stippled texture, allowing the polished numerals and markers to be read easily without distracting contrast.
The 42mm case does tend to wear a little bit large because of the 50mm lug-to-lug length, however not uncomfortably so. The delicate styling helps to balance out the intimidating wrist presence which is usually reserved as a big and bold diver, although the 13.7mm thickness feels flatter than you’d expect. As you’d guess from the name, it’s water resistant to 300 metres, making it suitable for pretty much any water activity you can think of.
The movement
Powering the Seamaster Diver Paris 2024 is the Omega Calibre 8800, one of their recent in-house movements. It’s stringently tested by METAS to become a Certified Master Chronometer, ensuring a daily rate within -0/+5 seconds. It’s also highly resistant to magnetism and boasts a free-sprung balance with a silicon spring. It beats at 25,200 vibrations per hour, or 3.5Hz, and has a power reserve of 55 hours. Instead of the sapphire display window to show off the movement’s finishing, Omega have gone for a solid caseback with a Paris 2024 engraving. It features the Olympic rings, as well as an 18k gold medallion of the Marianne emblem to commemorate the Games.
The straps
The Omega Seamaster Diver 300M Paris 2024 comes on the standard stainless steel bracelet for this model, with Omega’s five-link design having alternating polished and brushed finishes for extra sophistication. The folding clasp features a diver’s extension, and the end-links are equipped with a quick-change button that releases the spring bars without a tool. Omega have also designed a new range of NATO straps in the five colours of the Olympic rings, and one with the stripes of the French flag. If none of those options are for you, the 20mm lug width will make it easy to find other options. The strap that is featured on this particular Seamaster Paris Olympics is one of Omega’s NATO-style ones that we spotted on the wrist of a collector. It’s worth noting, however, that it needs to be purchased separately.
The verdict
Given the dressy touches bestowed on the Omega Seamaster Diver 300M Paris 2024, this watch could be an excellent option for anyone who wants something a little different from the norm. Its details are thought out and deftly executed, capturing a feminine essence of Paris without feeling overtly gendered. The Marianne emblem on the seconds hand does make it difficult to separate the watch from the event, however if you have a particular reason to commemorate the Paris 2024 Olympics, then it will be perfect.
The Omega Seamaster Diver 300M Paris 2024 pricing and availability
The Omega Seamaster Diver 300M Paris 2024 is now available exclusively from Omega’s Paris boutique. Price: A$14,400, US$8,700
Brand | Omega |
Model | Seamaster Diver 300M Co-Axial Master Chronometer 42mm Paris 2024 |
Reference Number | 522.21.42.20.04.001 |
Case Dimensions | 42mm (D) x 13.7mm (T) x 50mm (LTL) |
Case Material | Stainless steel and Moonshine Gold |
Water Resistance | 300 metres |
Crystal(s) | AR-coated sapphire |
Dial | White ceramic with engraved wave pattern |
Strap | Five-link steel bracelet, folding clasp with diver’s extension |
Movement | Calibre 8800, in-house, co-axial, METAS-certified |
Power Reserve | 55 hours |
Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds, date |
Availability | Exclusively from Omega’s Paris boutique |
Price | A$14,400, US$8,700 |