Trying to understand Seamasters

[Estoril-5]

Tried to do some research but didn't come to a conclusive answer.

What is the difference between a Seamaster and a Seamaster Professional?

Also I've seen some referred to in shorthand as SMPc, what does this mean?

I may be in the market to purchase a pre-owned Seamaster but I've always had Seiko's and need to get a bit more educated before splashing out on one.

Cheers

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[NigeG]

I guess it depends on if you are looking at vintage Omegas or more recent versions

Seamaster has been around for decades as a term for a waterproof watch. There are loads of different incarnations.

Seamaster Professional is the Divers watch with rotating bezel, helium escape valve and waterproof to 300m. SMPc maybe the same watch but with ceramic bezel insert(?) I'm not 100% sure about this.

Then there is SM300 which could be the 60's vintage version or the modern interpretation of it.

Post a picture or two of what you're looking at. There's plenty of willing helpers around here

[Frakius]

I believe the SMPc means the ceramic bezel version of the SMP which is also the latest version, the SMP has been around since the early 90s and has had multiple variations and references the 2531.80 been one of the most popular variations. The original seamaster, which didn't feature any timing bezel, has been around since 1948 and is a wonderful vintage Omega and popular among collectors and Omega fans. The Seamaster 300 came out in 1957 and featured a rotating bezel and sword hands, it was revived in 2015 for a bond movie Spectre and also now as a 60th anniversary edition.

[MartynJC (UK)]

SMPc - this often means the Seamaster Professional with Chronograph function, although now with the new versions having Ceramic bezels this adds confusion.

This is my take:

SMP = Seamaster Professional (aka standard style)
SMPc = Seamaster Professional Chronograph - added Chrono 2 button function

either of these may be Ceramic or non-Ceramic (new ones are ceramic)

Looks like Omega calls these: Seamaster DIVER 300 M

but don't forget that there are many other watches in the Seamaster range - Aqua Terra, Planet Ocean, Railmaster, Bullhead, Ploprof

[Estoril-5]

Is there a difference between the Seamaster and Seamaster Professional?

This is the type I'm looking at, the 41mm which I believe is the biggest in this type.

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[MartynJC (UK)]

Is there a difference between the Seamaster and Seamaster Professional?

This is the type I'm looking at, the 41mm which I believe is the biggest in this type.

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Seamaster is a whole range of Omega watches - SMP (Seamaster Professional) as you've posted there - is one of them: Seamaster Diver 300m co-axial 41mm to give it it's official title and model number 212.30.41.20.03.001 -

https://www.omegawatches.com/watches...1230412003001/

[vortgern]

SMPc - this often means the Seamaster Professional with Chronograph function, although now with the new versions having Ceramic bezels this adds confusion.

This is my take:

SMP = Seamaster Professional (aka standard style)
SMPc = Seamaster Professional Chronograph - added Chrono 2 button function

either of these may be Ceramic or non-Ceramic (new ones are ceramic)

Looks like Omega calls these: Seamaster DIVER 300 M

but don't forget that there are many other watches in the Seamaster range - Aqua Terra, Planet Ocean, Railmaster, Bullhead, Ploprof

Pretty sure the c in SMPc refers to the ceramic bezel three hand dive watch - not the chronograph complication.

Seamaster could also refer to a vintage ‘dressy’ watch.

OP you probably want to look at 2531.80 and 2541.80 first

[Estoril-5]

Pretty sure the c in SMPc refers to the ceramic bezel three hand dive watch - not the chronograph complication.

Seamaster could also refer to a vintage ‘dressy’ watch.

OP you probably want to look at 2531.80 and 2541.80 first

Are these two the more common versions, what's the difference between the two?


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[Estoril-5]

Just realized it's the quartz and the auto

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[Padders]

Bearing in mind you are stated as being in Birmingham, is the user name an oblique N Mansell reference?

[Estoril-5]

Bearing in mind you are stated as being in Birmingham, is the user name an oblique N Mansell reference?

I didn't understand your question?

P.s. yes I'm in Birmingham
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[Padders]

Ah no worries then. I was trying to read too much into your username, as you were.

I didn't understand your question?

P.s. yes I'm in Birmingham
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[Estoril-5]

I like the estoril blue colour from BMW, hence the username.

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[Padders]

I like the estoril blue colour from BMW, hence the username.

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So do I, I have one in Estoril Blue II.

[Gullers]

I like the estoril blue colour from BMW, hence the username.

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I’m from Solihull with an Estoril blue BMW and Blue Seamster (2009) pre ceramic 41mm auto, sounds like grounds for a mini get together!


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[Sahara]

This may be of some help
http://www.chronocentric.com/omega/s....shtml#special

[snowman]

I've got a blue Golf, a few Omegas and lots of blue watches, but none are Estoril Blue or Omegas

I presume originally the 'use case' for a Seamaster was boating/yachting, hence the fairly modest WR (they'd withstanding some dousing from waves, maybe even a short dunk into the sea, but not constant submersion).

Later the range transmogrified into divers' watches.

M.

[Mark lowman]

SMPc =ceramic Bezel
Professional = true meaning is that it has been used by Professional units. Even recent Seamasters have been handed out to the Pathfinders and SBS. I suppose these days it’s more a mere dial advert like Rolex with Superlative
Lineage stems back to 1948.
Seamasters have always had a classic men’s Watch style with a bit of WR to give it a bit more toughness. In the 60’s, lines became a little blurred with Seamaster Devilles (dress watches) the modern Aqua Terra descends from the tough , practical go with anything Watch, to me it’s a bit of a revamp of the Cosmic 2000 models.
The Diving Range starts around 58’/59’ with the
Ck2913
165.014
165.024
Then it breaks up into ranges of Divers often very 70’s funky.
The 80’s appear a bit of a nadir followed by 90’s rejuvenation with the Seamaster 300 Range still produced today along with the Planet Ocean.

[Neil.C]

Just realized it's the quartz and the auto

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Exactly right.

Got both, the quartz version is slightly slimmer.

[Estoril-5]

Is the model after this one the one with the wavy dial?

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[Omegamanic]

Is the model after this one the one with the wavy dial?

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Current model is a gloss dial. The older 120m and 300m models all had wavy dials. Most notably the 2541/2531; 2221/2220 models, before the waves were replaced with the current gloss dial SMPc ceramic models.

[Alansmithee]

Even recent Seamasters have been handed out to the Pathfinders and SBS.

Let's face it - they don't want to wear their casio or timex on a friday night out on the pull.

[PickleB]

A little dated, but plenty of history at: Omega Seamaster Information, eg:

How far back does the Seamaster line go?

Omega SeamasterOMEGA's line of water resistant watches dates all the way back to 1932. The Seamaster name was introduced in 1947. Up through the 1960's, the Seamaster models paralleled the traditional style of dress watches, such as the OMEGA DeVille (some were even labeled as a 'Seamaster DeVille'). While these watches were water resistant (back then, they could still use the term 'water-proof'), few had functions other than basic display of the time and occasionally the date.

In the 1970's, OMEGA took the Seamaster line in a much sportier and often trendier direction. During this decade, Seamasters took on a heavy sport and functional look and came with more diver-oriented features, such as higher depth ratings, calibrated rotating bezels, chronograph functions, and high-visibility dials.

...

[reggie747]

Pleeeaaasse......don't get started with SPEEDmasters. There seems to be more iterations of them than the Chinese !

[Mark lowman]

Let's face it - they don't want to wear their casio or timex on a friday night out on the pull.

I did wonder why it had a whacking great SBS logo on the back! You might not always want to advertise yourself to the enemy. The local woman though....

[Mark lowman]

Here are a couple of Seamasters a 165.024 from 1965 and a 2254.50 from the early 2000’s
The 2254.50 references the 165.024 perhaps not immediately obvious from these images. But the big triangle 165.024 is the template.
Apologies to previous owner for nicking the image of my 165.024

[walkerwek1958]

Pre- Bond Seamasters from the mid-80s used the Professional term on the dial, not sure whether the quartz model that pre-dated it was termed 'professional'.

The originsl Seamaster watches were launched in 1948, I have a 1950 version on the bench at the moment, a watch I've owned for many years and finally decided to give it the full treatment.

Paul

[PickleB]

Omega's info: Seamaster.

[unclealec]

Pre- Bond Seamasters from the mid-80s used the Professional term on the dial, not sure whether the quartz model that pre-dated it was termed 'professional'.

The originsl Seamaster watches were launched in 1948, I have a 1950 version on the bench at the moment, a watch I've owned for many years and finally decided to give it the full treatment.

Paul

That's my birth year Paul; let me know if it's going anywhere.

[Riley]

If it's a divers style you are after you can't go wrong with an SMP. Bulletproof and Iconic. It was the first decent watch I owned and I suspect this is the same for many.

Available in Auto or Quartz and in 41mm or 36.5mm (Mid Size) with skeleton or sword hands. £1000-1200 will get you a decent one on here but prices have been on the up, rougher examples can be had for a bit less. If your budget can stretch have a look at the SMPc, the latest ceramic bezel version, it can be had for around £1800 and for me this represents the best value. For a bit more money, around £2k+ you are getting into Planet Ocean (another Seamaster diver model) territory.
Factor in servicing costs for an older model, around £400 from Omega, less from an independent.

[Padders]

SMPc =ceramic Bezel
Professional = true meaning is that it has been used by Professional units. Even recent Seamasters have been handed out to the Pathfinders and SBS. I suppose these days it’s more a mere dial advert like Rolex with Superlative
Lineage stems back to 1948.
Seamasters have always had a classic men’s Watch style with a bit of WR to give it a bit more toughness. In the 60’s, lines became a little blurred with Seamaster Devilles (dress watches) the modern Aqua Terra descends from the tough , practical go with anything Watch, to me it’s a bit of a revamp of the Cosmic 2000 models.
The Diving Range starts around 58’/59’ with the
Ck2913
165.014
165.024
Then it breaks up into ranges of Divers often very 70’s funky.
The 80’s appear a bit of a nadir followed by 90’s rejuvenation with the Seamaster 300 Range still produced today along with the Planet Ocean.

Is it correct that recent SMPs were issued to special forces or are they in fact just another squadron special of the type Breitling and Bremont favour ie a run of watches commissioned and/or modified by a servicemens association for member purchase? I too have seen SBS backs on SMPs but they don't remotely look like they were issued by MOD etc. I am thinking along the lines of the Panerai clearance diver watch or worse still the Rolex Seaking, a std watch with in effect an aftermarket back.

[Mark lowman]

Is it correct that recent SMPs were issued to special forces or are they in fact just another squadron special of the type Breitling and Bremont favour ie a run of watches commissioned and/or modified by a servicemens association for member purchase? I too have seen SBS backs on SMPs but they don't remotely look like they were issued by MOD etc. I am thinking along the lines of the Panerai clearance diver watch or worse still the Rolex Seaking, a std watch with in effect an aftermarket back.

You may well be right . Is there actually a MOD spec still in existence? The CWC divers in the 1980’s look very much like SM300 Dial wise so I assume that the Spec was still in force then. Nowadays I’d guess they’re using a variety of citizens , seiko’s Luminox , Marathon etc. Need a military expert to put me right.

[HenPecked]

As a newbie, be wary of ebay "bitsa" specials. I fell foul to a couple of "Seamasters" on there, which while they were made of Omega parts, the only actual "Seamaster" bit was the dial and/or caseback.

[Alansmithee]

You may well be right . Is there actually a MOD spec still in existence? The CWC divers in the 1980’s look very much like SM300 Dial wise so I assume that the Spec was still in force then. Nowadays I’d guess they’re using a variety of citizens , seiko’s Luminox , Marathon etc. Need a military expert to put me right.

CWC claim on their website:

In 1987, a new watch was requested by the MOD, the black Special Forces RM SBS issue quartz divers' watch. CWC continues to supply this watch to the MOD.

So whatever the spec of that watch, if they still supply it to the MOD then it must met their specification?

Given they sell these to the public for £699, the MOD is likely not paying that so I doubt they'd issue these and a far more expensive Omega...

(Paging actual military experts...)

[Omegamanic]

Surely all MOD spec watches are currently available from stores, and not issued as such.

[Alansmithee]

Surely all MOD spec watches are currently available from stores, and not issued as such.

I suspect they mean "can be issued to".

[PickleB]

Surely all MOD spec watches are currently available from stores, and not issued as such.

I'm not sure I understand you.

As I understand it:

• MOD specifications are used to define meaning and standards within MOD contracts
• MOD purchases watches against such contracts
• kit, eg watches, may be issued as personal equipment (ie standard issue) or as specialist equipment (eg divers, SF etc)...I believe that both are signed for and are accountable stores items, although the standard of accountability may vary

[Omegamanic]

In the good old days I believe you were charged for not returning an issued watch. Now you are required to buy whatever watch you select from the stores.

[Estoril-5]

As a newbie, be wary of ebay "bitsa" specials. I fell foul to a couple of "Seamasters" on there, which while they were made of Omega parts, the only actual "Seamaster" bit was the dial and/or caseback.

To be fair when looking for a suitable Seamaster, I'll only be buying on SC.

I don't know enough to buy from eBay and the likes.

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[PickleB]

In the good old days I believe you were charged for not returning an issued watch. Now you are required to buy whatever watch you select from the stores.

G10 Watches:

Most squaddies will never be issued a watch. Just try it. Go in to stores and see what happens. Go on... I dare you. The only other alternative is to buy your own. This has several... erm make that one... advantage. When you smash it in a alcohol-soaked frenzy or leave it in the ablutions after a forgetful post-piss up shave, you won't be reamed a fresh hoop by the Q.

Most service personnel opt for something robust and cheap, which is why Casios were the de facto 'issue' squaddy watch for so long. But squaddies - being the kit whores that they are - now have a much wider range of timepieces to choose from in the never ending pursuit of allyness.

[Alansmithee]

G10 Watches:

Most squaddies will never be issued a watch. Just try it. Go in to stores and see what happens. Go on... I dare you. The only other alternative is to buy your own. This has several... erm make that one... advantage. When you smash it in a alcohol-soaked frenzy or leave it in the ablutions after a forgetful post-piss up shave, you won't be reamed a fresh hoop by the Q.

Most service personnel opt for something robust and cheap, which is why Casios were the de facto 'issue' squaddy watch for so long. But squaddies - being the kit whores that they are - now have a much wider range of timepieces to choose from in the never ending pursuit of allyness.

From the same wiki...

It goes without saying that 99.9% of people who wear deep sea divers' watches are not divers, merely big-timing walty bluffers who like to create the impression that their sad, pathetic, worthless lives possess some modicum of excitement. But they do look rather spiffy it must be said - especially the CWC Special Forces model in sexy anodised black.