Seamaster 300 Ref. 2913-8

OMEGA, SEAMASTER 300, FIRST GENERATION, REF. CK2913-8, « LOLLIPOP »

ICONEEK price: SOLD

Iconeek is very proud to introduce here one of Omega’s most legendary and sought-after model, the safe and reliable 660 feet underwater model: the Seamaster 300, Ref. 2913-8 SC. The model is a very fine and rare, water-resistant, self-winding, large stainless steel professional diver’s wristwatch with sweep center second

The model was launched in 1957. That year, Omega introduced their now-celebrated “Holy Trinity” of professional timepieces: the Speedmaster (ref. CK2915) for timing industrial production, the Railmaster (ref. CK2914) for engineering and other specialized work in magnetized environment, and indeed the Seamaster 300 (ref. 2913, such as the present watch) for diving.  These were precision grade, highly engineered instruments for applications requiring accurate and reliable timekeeping. It may sound an evidence that for Omega’s collectors each of these 3 watches is highly collectible. These three models are considered so iconic and landmark, that two years ago (2017) a re-edition of all three was issued by Omega to overwhelming acclaim from the collector community.

The Ref. 2913 of 1957 featured a two-part bezel with a thin, outer portion in bakelite displaying numerals used for diving. It was equipped with arrow hands and an automatic winding caliber 500/501, such as the present watch.  Watches equipped with the lower jewel count caliber 500 were, because of duty restrictions, intended for export specifically to the US, while the ones featuring the caliber 501 were intended for the rest of the world, such as the present watch, delivered to Switzerland.

According to scholars, eight different versions can be traced, some using a thin dauphine minute hand and short arrow hand and others vice versa. Later versions are also found with a lollipop seconds hand, such as the present watch. The first three generations were fitted with anti-clockwise graduation on the bezel, however – the « new » Seamaster 300 differs from the previous models by having clockwise calibration on time-reserve indicator, luminous arrow was moved from hour hand to minute hand, and a luminous dot was added to the tip of the second hand – quoted an Omega booklet at the time.

Half a century later, the model has been reintroduced by Omega, and the legend is still living. The Omega Automatic Seamaster 300 was “specially designed for professional and amateur divers”. Although originally guaranteed waterproof to a depth of 200 meters, the model was named “Seamaster 300” instead of “Seamaster 200” because its performance was far beyond the capacities of the testing devices of the time. Thanks to its triple-sealed heavy-duty stainless steel case and hermetically sealed Naïad winding crown (with a « Mercedes » logo) (see Omega view of construction case below), the model withstands underwater pressure to a depth of 660 feet. Ref. CK 14755 replaced the celebrated reference CK 2913 Seamaster 300 Broad Arrow in 1960. This watch also featured arrow hands but was now equipped with the new caliber 550/552, also automatic.

Under Ref. 2913-8, the model has a three-body construction: a large polished and brushed, water-resistant, stainless steel case with downturned facetted lugs, a steel rotating bezel, upon roulement a billes, snap to the case and graduated for decompression times,  an armored cambered plexiglass crystal secured to the case by a screwed down steel ring, three times thicker than an ordinary crystal, sealed within by a tension ring, a screwed-down case back engraved with the Seamaster logo, a water-resistant NAÏAD winding crown.  The inside back is engraved « 2913-8 SC ». The case back is engraved outside « CERTIFIED HIGH PRESSURE WATERPROOF SEAMASTER ».

Under the hesalite glass, we find a matte black dial with gilt printings, painted luminous elongated triangular indexes and triangular 12,3,6,9, large minute and second division, painted Arabic 12,3,6,9, luminous Dauphine hour hand and luminous broad arrow minute hand, white Lollipop sweep center second. The dial is printed « Swiss made » at his bottom. Inside ticks an Omega caliber 501, copper colored, amagnetic, shock-absorbers, straight line lever escapement, monometallic balance, self-compensating flat balance spring, fine adjustment. Caliber 501 28 RA SC PC AM 20p was created in 1957 and is beating at 19’800 alt/hour (RA for Remontage Automatique, self-winding, SC for Seconde Centrale, central second, PC for Pare-Chocs, shock absorbers, AM for AMagnétique, amagnetic). Omega movement numbers beginning with 16’000’000 were produced circa 1958. Dial, case and movement are signed. The size between the lugs is 19 mm.

The present Seamaster 300, reference CK 2913-8 stands out, not only because it features the iconic “Broad Arrow” and “Lollipop” hands but also thanks to its overall appealing condition and its nicely patinated original dial with gilt printings.

Started in 1948, the Seamaster line is the longest-running series of Omega models, still in production today. But when it comes to a highly collectible point, only one model come to mouth: the Famous Seamaster 300. The recent limited edition Spectre OO7 is widely inspired by this iconic model. The present watch is delivered with an Omega Extract from the Archives confirming delivery to Switzerland on May 30th, 1961.

An icon !!

Condition: 8/10, in good overall condition for its age, some signs of wear in places, great dial and patina, black bezel with some restorations, no signs of rust