In The Shop - Shop Spotlight: 10 Of The Biggest, Boldest OMEGA Dive Watches Out There

I don't know about you, but I plan to go outside this summer. Hit the lakeside. Go fishing. Get a tan – if my ghostly pale complexion allows for such a thing. And when I do finally leave my laptop behind, I want to wear a watch I'm not afraid to get wet. One with some size, and with a little color. Something that's fun to wear on the boardwalk, but can take some serious underwater hits if needed. To me, nothing fits that description more than an OMEGA Seamaster. But not just any Seamaster – we're talking the heavy hitters, the real-deal divers that don't have to worry about pulling double duty during the workweek. Good thing we've got the OMEGA Ploprof on deck (and much more) in this Friday round-up of 10 new Seamasters that have stopped for a short while on land just for you. And don't hesitate – I have a feeling it won't be long before these divers hit the surf once more. OMEGA Seamaster Diver 300M Co-Axial Master Chronometer Nekton Edition You know the Seamaster Diver 300M. It's James Bond's watch. It's also one of the best values out there when it comes to the field of luxury Swiss dive watches. In fact, you won't come across another option in the same price range that offers the same combination of technical specs (METAS, you say?), durability (300m of water resistance – it's right there in the name), and general recognition (I repeat, it's James Bond's watch!). One of the most recent updates to the wide-ranging Seamaster Diver 300M series is a pair of watches produced in collaboration with Nekton, a not-for-profit research center that's dedicated to protecting our oceans for future generations. Danny has more details on the partnership in his Introducing post from when the watch was first announced, but if you're seriously considering a Seamaster Diver 300M, there are a few specific reasons the Nekton Edition(s) should be on your radar. First, the watches use a variant of the Master Chronometer caliber 8800 series with the date wheel removed. That means no date aperture on the dial and no phantom date position for the crown. Second, the bezel is textured and executed in three-dimensional positive relief, and it's been constructed from lightweight grade-5 titanium, rather than now-customary ceramic. Why? Well, titanium is less prone to discoloration in the laser-ablation process, and grade-5 titanium is a seamless fit with the tone of the stainless steel case. Other than those details, the Nekton Edition is largely identical to the standard series-produced Seamaster Diver 300M. That includes the laser-engraved wave-pattern black ceramic dial, the helium-escape valve, and same angular case design. Oh, one last difference is the caseback. On the Nekton Edition, there's a stainless steel caseback rather than the sapphire crystal exhibition back seen on most Seamasters these days. As a result, OMEGA has engraved a portrait of the one the submersibles in use by the Nekton foundation. Its name? The Seamaster 2. Fitting, right? The OMEGA Seamaster Diver 300M Co-Axial Master Chronometer Nekton Edition is available on either a stainless steel nine-link bracelet or black rubber strap, for $6,150 and $5,850, respectively. OMEGA Seamaster Diver 300M Co-Axial Master Chronometer Chronograph If the standard three-handed Seamaster Diver 300M is too straightforward, then these chronograph variants might be just what you need this summer. This is the same current-generation Seamaster Diver 300M you already know and love – complete with the engraved ceramic wave dial – but outfitted with a high-grade, METAS-certified automatic chronograph movement inside. Even discounting the Master Chronometer designation each of these chronographs receive, the caliber 9900-series movements inside are fully outfitted with all the trappings you might expect out of today's top-of-the-line automatic chronograph movements. Those include 60 hours of power reserve, a column wheel, and a vertical clutch. And since this is an OMEGA, you'll also find a Co-Axial escapement ticking inside, visible through the sapphire exhibition caseback. OMEGA upped the case dimension of the curvy Seamaster Diver 300M case to 44mm for its flagship diving chronograph. And the wave-like pattern of the dial is now interrupted by twin sub-dials at three and nine o'clock, one for small seconds and the other a stacked register indicating elapsed hours and minutes. The chronograph pushers are topped with ceramic buttons, and the chronograph can even be engaged safely when underwater, still a relatively rare feat in today's watch market. There are a pair of black and blue dial variants available in the HODINKEE Shop today, each on the classic nine-link stainless steel bracelet and priced at $7,450. But if you want an even more eye-catching execution, OMEGA also offers the Seamaster Diver 300M Chronograph in solid 18k Sedna gold with a laser-ablated black ceramic bezel insert and black rubber strap. Remember, Sedna gold is OMEGA's proprietary alloy that's been blended from a combination of gold (at least 75%), copper, and palladium to achieve a vibrant red hue that's particularly long lasting. OMEGA even upgraded the caliber 9900 inside to the caliber 9901, with a case-matching Sedna gold rotor and balance bridge. It's priced at $28,500. Now, if you prefer to spend your time above water rather than below, OMEGA's most recent addition to the Seamaster Diver 300M Chronograph line commemorates the recent conclusion of the America's Cup, the world's most prestigious yachting race, which the brand sponsored this year for the first time since 2003. If you appreciate the esoteric world of vintage yachting chronographs (like we do at HODINKEE), then you'll want to go ahead take a close look at this release. The new America's Cup edition features a special regatta countdown indicator ring crafted in red anodized aluminum inside the three o'clock register. The indicator features an additional hour disc underneath the sub-dial, which is designed to highlight the minute hand while sailing. Further, the minute and small seconds hands are inspired by the shape of a boat hull, while the central seconds hand features the America’s Cup trophy – believed to be the world's oldest – on its counterweight. That's not all. OMEGA also unveiled a new "CHRONO LOCK" system with the watch that is able to secure all chronograph functions when necessary, including the ability to lock your measured time. And, finally, this chronograph is also the debut of OMEGA's new quick-change, tool-less system for switching between the stainless steel bracelet and rubber strap options included with the watch. It's priced at $10,700. OMEGA Seamaster Ploprof 1200M Co‑Axial Master Chronometer Any fan of OMEGA dive watches knows there's only one true King of the Deep – the Ploprof. This fan-favorite dive watch hits all the right notes with its entirely purpose-built design featuring 1,200 meters of water resistance and a unique bezel locking mechanism to make sure nothing disrupts your dive time. The Ploprof has a much, much longer story and has served as a watch of serious fascination with nearly everyone that has come across it. One such individual is our own Cole Pennington, who just last year documented the watch's one-of-a-kind history and development over time in this in-depth report . The latest update to the Ploprof, and the model we have here today, comes fully equipped with a Master Chronometer movement inside. It's also cased entirety out of titanium, which ensures it wears light on the wrist even if its chunky 55mm × 48mm case dimensions are intended for maximum wrist presence. The subtle grey dial, orange accents, and titanium mesh bracelet are all sure to stick in your mind until you walk away with a Ploprof in your collection. It's priced at $13,800 and can be purchased right here. OMEGA Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M Co-Axial Master Chronometer The final three watches in today's round-up all come from the Planet Ocean family. They're watches you've likely seen before, but each deserves a closer look, and each for a specific reason. First up, a white-dial, orange-bezel Planet Ocean that is OMEGA's way of reflecting on its recent dive-watch history. If you've followed OMEGA throughout the 21st century, you'll likely know that the Planet Ocean is the most recent dive-watch development from the brand. Born only in 2005, the Planet Ocean is a hard-core dive watch, but splits the difference between the Seamaster Diver 300M and Ploprof's depth ratings, with a more-than-solid 600 meters of water resistance. Since it was first added to the catalog, the Planet Ocean has been associated with the color orange, and this 2019 edition highlights the color with a bright orange ceramic bezel that contrasts with the clean polished ceramic white dial. It's a killer look, and a fitting one for such a serious sport watch. Rounding out the group is a smaller diameter Planet Ocean, measuring 39.5mm, with a blue ceramic dial and bezel, and then the large-and-in-charge Planet Ocean Chronograph, forum-famous for its substantial thickness. Opt for the 39.5mm Planet Ocean if you like the PO looks but prefer watches in the sub-40mm range, or go for the PO Chronograph if you want the biggest, boldest chronograph on the beach this summer. It's hard to go wrong, whatever you decide is right for you. Find Your Favorite Seamaster In The HODINKEE Shop There are plenty of fish in the sea, and there are plenty of OMEGA Seamasters available in the HODINKEE Shop. Each one is different from the other, and you can make sure you're covered for summer fun before the season gets fully underway, by clicking right here .Did someone say Ploprof?