Introducing: The Omega Seamaster Diver 300M Olympic Games Paris 2024 Edition
There’s a long shadow since the events of 2020 that have skewed the sense of passing time. With major sporting events such as the Euros 2020 and Tokyo Olympics being moved to 2021, we are already gearing up for 2024’s schedule. Returning to the regular four-year cycle means the delta between each ceremony temporarily condenses to three years for both events. It still renders me in disbelief that next year is the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, and therefore, the new release from Omega caught my colleagues and me completely off-guard. Nevertheless, we will discuss this surprising new 42mm stainless steel Omega Seamaster Diver 300M with Moonshine gold relief bezel here.
Despite this new release seeming premature, Omega took lessons from the 2018 Speedmaster Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games quintet for the Japanese market. While no one in 2018 could predict the Tokyo Summer Olympic postponement to the following year, even two years before the event felt a bit eager. For this new release, Omega marks the one-year countdown. It kicked off on July 26th, 2023, with none other than Omega CEO, Raynald Aeschlimann cutting the ribbon. Coinciding with the clock’s countdown, Omega has launched a new Seamaster Diver 300M with a relief bezel in Moonshine gold. This gold dive scale is the most striking element of the new Diver 300M.
A positive relief Moonshine bezel
Positive relief describes the effect of the indices placed higher than the main surface. In ancient pottery, for example, this is achieved by molding around the intended scripture rather than engraving it. With this new Seamaster, the embossed bezel design emphasizes the numerals. Combining with an alternative finish between the surface in frosted texture and the polished scales offers the visual distinction despite being the same material. Relief bezels are nothing new to the Diver 300M range. In fact, during the Diver 300M collection revival in 2018, the flagship model was the titanium, tantalum, and Sedna (Omega’s proprietary rose gold alloy) version. The Sedna elements formed part of the links, the crown, the valve, and, most importantly, the dive-scale bezel.
In 2018, the relief bezel was new to the Seamaster collection and was achieved through laser ablation. But we have also had the Nekton with grade 5 titanium relief bezel and the Black Black Seamaster with the same design in ceramic. Omega employs the same process to structure the gold bezel for the latest release. Only this time, the gold is another Omega alloy. Moonshine gold was first showcased in the 2019 50th anniversary Moon-landing Speedmaster. This is a model I still maintain as the greatest Speedmaster of all time. As far as I can surmise, Moonshine for the Paris 2024 model is the first use of the gold alloy for the Diver 300M collection. That said, Moonshine gold was previously applied to the Seamaster family, for example, in the Aqua Terra Shades case.
Omega Seamaster Diver 300M Paris 2024
The positive relief wave pattern on the white Zirconium Dioxide (ZrO2) ceramic dial is consistent with the bezel. With a primarily matte dial, the polished waves will animate as light reflects on the curvy patterns. The dial will be familiar to fans of the Seamaster Diver 300M, with subtle commemorations of the Paris Olympics. An example is the 6 o’clock date wheel typeface matching the Paris 2024 typography. Also very nicely integrated is the logo on the central seconds hand, replacing the circular lume plot. Gold PVD hands and solid gold markers house the white Super-LumiNova luminescent material. This harmonic color palette ensures that Moonshine gold is the main attraction. Gold is also emblematic of the Olympics, symbolizing the highest honor in all sporting categories. Flipping the watch over reveals the laser-ablated Moonshine gold medallion with Olympic torch motif engraving.
Surrounding the offset inlaid medallion is the frosted solid stainless steel case back. This case back is secured with a NAIAD LOCK. This ensures the raised and mirror-polished Art Deco “Paris 2024” wording and the Olympics five-ring logo remain upright even when applying the maximum torque when screwing the case back. Powering the watch is the Co-Axial Master Chronometer-certified caliber 8800, with a 55-hours power reserve that operates within a tolerance of 0 to +5 seconds per day deviation. While the medallion may grab your attention, Omega pulls a sneaky and unveils the new bracelet’s quick-change release button. This quick-release is a new addition to the Seamaster Diver 300M collection. The bracelet is swappable with a rubber strap with a similar system. This feature is worth looking out for as it gradually replaces the traditional spring bar connection.
Further details and pricing
Unlike the Tokyo Olympics 2020 Speedmaster quintet, which was limited to 2,020 pieces per watch with a complete set of all five watches limited to 55 examples. This new release does not have a limitation. That is also a lesson learned, as the Tokyo Speedmasters were more or less sold out by the time the games took place in 2021. However, like the Tokyo games, the new Omega Seamaster Diver 300M Paris 2024 is only available in the host city via Omega Boutiques. It is also interesting that Omega updates the bracelet with a quick-change function yet keeps the same taper-less bracelet link structure as before. This is despite the many comments raised against the Diver 300M bracelet that’s existed in this format for five years.
The bracelet defines the Diver 300M’s style, and I still prefer it to the mesh design of the Bond editions. While the quick-change is a nice feature, you can still use regular spring bars to fit aftermarket straps or any of Omega’s standard 20mm lug-width options. The new Paris 2024 NATO straps will especially suit the design and theme of the watch, including this white and gold toned NATO. The Omega Seamaster Diver 300M Paris 2024 is currently only available from Paris Omega Boutiques. However, I have been informed that this may change as the event draws nearer. The retail price is €8,900 (CHF 7,600). You can read more from the Omega site here.
What do you make of this latest Seamaster? As always, leave your thoughts in the comments section below.
