Matt Clymo 
After a few months of waiting and speculation, and seeing it on Daniel Craig’s wrist, Omega drops the new Seamaster Diver in Bonze Gold, and it’s (almost) what we thought!
It seems that Omega’s new M.O. for product releases is working. Have Omega Ambassador, Daniel Craig, to wear a new watch at public events, get the watch industry and internet talking about, but make a few subtle detail changes so we’re kept guessing on the exact specifics. This is exactly what has happened again with the new Omega Seamaster Diver 300M in Bronze Gold and Burgundy!
While the internet spies got this one mostly right, a full Bonze Gold case and mesh bracelet with the burgundy dial, there were a few minor details that were not apparent from the photos at taken at last year’s Governors Ball, where Daniel Craig was spotted wearing it.
What we now know is that Omega has opted to replace the small wave dial with a matte black sandblasted aluminium dial and includes PVD 18K Bronze Gold hands and blackened indexes. Rather than white Super-LumiNova, the new model has vintage styled Super-LumiNova, which gives this piece that lovely vintage look we saw on the recently released Seamaster Diver 300 in titanium and Bonze Gold. The other markings, including the Omega logo and name, are transferred in light brown on the dial, completing the look of the watch.
The entire case of the Omega Seamaster Diver has been crafted in Omega’s proprietary bonze alloy, Bonze Gold, which aside from the bronze, incorporates a mix of gold, palladium and silver. With 37.5% gold, making this 9k, this metal sits somewhere in between Sedna Gold and Moonshine Gold in looks, but also thanks to the makeup of the alloy, will patina less, and gives this a much longer lasting lustre. The burgundy oxalic anodised aluminium bezel insert and bronze-coloured diver markers complete the look of the new Diver 300M.
Inside the watch is Omega’s Calibre 8806 automatic movement, the same found in the new range of time only Seamasters of late. The movement is finished in Omega’s typical style, with the Geneva waves in arabesque that are a hallmark of Omega’s automatic movements. Beating at 3.5hz and delivering a power reserve of 55 hours, it is METAS certified, so it’s highly accurate, anti-magnetic and highly shock resistant.
Omega is offering people the choice of either a full Bonze Gold mesh bracelet with a foldover push-button clasp or an integrated black rubber strap with a Bonze Gold pin buckle. Both look great in my opinion, but there is a considerable price difference between the two, so budget as well as aesthetics could play into which model you pick.
Initial Thoughts
Omega’s journey back to the Seamaster’s roots is a welcome one for many. Having owned both a Bond Seamaster 20 years ago, as well as the modern variant with the ceramic dial and large waves, these new iterations straddle the old and the new perfectly. I personally like having the date function on the Diver 300M, but with the new models, I’m happy to overlook this as the dial design and overall aesthetics come together so well.
What is also good to see is that brands are starting to play around with their bronze alloys. Bronze watches look amazing when new, and have a great shine and lustre, but the patina can put off some collectors, which I include myself in. The thought of having to use a solution every month or so to bring it back to new seems like more maintenance than I’d like. However, with the Bonze Gold, Omega has alleviated this to an extent, meaning the watch will stay looking newer for longer. So this is a tick in my books.
Reference: 210.90.42.20.01.003
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 42mm x 13.8mm thick x 49.7mm lug-to-lug
- Case Material: Brushed Bronze Gold (37.5% gold ~ 9k)
- Dial: Matte black sandblasted dial with black indices, 18k Bronze Gold PVD hands and vintage Super-LumiNova
- Crystal: Domed scratch‑resistant sapphire crystal with anti‑reflective treatment on both sides
- Water resistance: 300m (30BAR)
- Movement: Calibre 8806, METAS certified and anti-magnetic up to 15,000 gauss
- Power reserve: 55 hours
- Strap/Bracelet: Bonze Gold mesh bracelet with push-button folding clasp or black rubber strap with Bronze Gold pin buckle.
