There is a time when professional divers look at their equipment and decide it’s time for an upgrade. Whenever one is putting their life at risk, one has to weigh the benefits of investing in some heavy-duty gear.
A diving watch is no exception and there are many watches for divers on the market that are worth a look. This article will weigh the pros and cons of choosing from two luxury watch brands that produce the most popular diving watches.
For the sake of simplicity, let’s benchmark the Replica Omega Seamaster watch VS Rolex Submariner replica watch . NOTE: These are both excellent watches but let’s see which one is the best watch for you.
As you can see from the above picture, the Omega Seamaster and the Rolex Submariner are both great looking divers watchesand have a place on your wrist when you’re dressed up or dressed down.
For your convenience, you can examine any of these collections in a new window by clicking on the buttons below otherwise proceed with the comparison.
Take the Omega Seamaster watch for example. It comes from a well-respected and long-established Swiss watchmaker whose name is up there with the likes of brands like Rolex. These two brands are often head to head with their latest diver’s watches.
While both brands produce movements that are dependable and built to be rock-solid, the Omega Seamaster is said to be more legible underwater with more luminous fill but has a slightly lower power reserve if compared to the Submariner.
In addition, it is more affordable. At about only half the price, there is a substantial price difference between the Omega Seamaster Professional 300m and the Rolex Submariner.
PLEASE NOTE: This article was originally written for the Seamaster Diver 300m and it had since been updated to show the details for the new 2018 Seamaster Diver 300m Co-Axial Master Chronometer series.
Another great article in our blog compares the Seamaster 300m older model to the 2018 model; the Seamaster Diver 300m Co-Axial Master Chronometer and can be found here.
You’ll notice the Seamaster featured here has a date window but the Submariner doesn’t. That’s because the Sub in the above image is Rolex reference 114060. There are several models of Rolex Subs that have the date function and their trademark Cyclops magnifier lens.
There are some that prefer the appearance of Omega’s date windows since they find the Cyclops magnifier a bit distracting but then again, there are those who absolutely love it. You have to decide for yourself.
Functionality
An excellent choice for a diver’s watch and is used by diving professionals around the world
Antimagnetic
The new Seamaster Diver 300m Co-Axial Master Chronometer has been tested to resist magnetic waves up to 15,000 Gauss or 1.5 Tesla
Legibility
More legible under dark conditions
Helium Escape Valve
This watch features a helium release valve which is helpful when a diver resurfaces and needs to manually release any helium build-up which under normal above-water pressure conditions can cause the watch crystal to pop-off.
Style Options
The Seamaster is a large collection with many different style options
Price
It is about half the price of a Rolex Submariner
Brand Recognized
The Omega is a very prestigious brand with approximately 70% brand recognition worldwide but doesn’t have the same nearly 100% worldwide recognition as Rolex. 70% is still incredible, though.
Resale Value
The Omega brand generally has a lower resale value but this largely depends on the watch
Accuracy & Precision
The movement is not as accurate than a Superlative Chronometer
Bezel
Some say that the bezel on the Seamaster is not as easy to rotate as the “Cerachrom” ceramic bezel on the Rolex Submariner
Anti-Reflective Coating
The A.R. coating on the Seamaster is on the outside of the crystal whereas, on the Rolex Submariner, the anti-reflective coating is on the inside which keeps it from being scratched off.
In terms of prestige, the Rolex brand is, bar none, the most recognizable watch brand out there with almost 100% brand recognition worldwide while Omega watches is closer to 70%.
So as far as which watch is a bigger status symbol, one would have to say that the Omega Seamaster watches fall a little short. Nonetheless, the Omega Seamaster is an excellent watch from a very prestigious brand that also has great value but as a result of the difference in brand recognition, there is about a 30% loss in the resale value and street value on the Omega Seamaster compared to the Rolex Submariner.
Aside from being a COSC certified superlative chronometer, and having a slightly better power reserve, the fluted bezel on the Submariner according to some, has a better grip than the bezel on the Omega Seamaster so there are also some practical advantages to the Rolex Submariner versus the Omega Seamaster.
The model you see here is the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Submariner reference 114060 which has no date function. The Seamaster featured here does. For about a thousand more, you can opt for the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Submariner Date models starting with 116610, 116613, 116618 and 116619 that do have the date function with a Cyclopse magnifier lense.
Resale Value
Rolex watches generally have a higher resale value than Omega watches but this is not a blanket statement it often depends on the watch
Brand Prestige
Rolex has more brand recall and is a slightly more internationally recognized brand than Omega.
Precision & Accuracy
The Rolex Superlative Chronometer designation means that the precision of the movement is first tested by COSC, and after the movement receives a COSC certification with impressive accuracy and precision of -4/+6 seconds per day.
The movement is then returned to Rolex. Further testing is then conducted by Rolex, in-house while in the watch case until an accuracy of -2/+2 seconds per day is achieved.
However, there are those that believe that only a third party should be responsible for chronometric designations.
Bezel
Some say the “Cherachrom” ceramic bezel on the Submariner is much easier to rotate than the bezel on the Omega Seamaster
Anti-Reflective Coating
The Rolex Submariner, the anti-reflective coating is on the inside which keeps it from being scratched off whereas the A.R. coating on the Seamaster is on the outside of the crystal which can more easily get scratched off over time.
Style Options
Not nearly as many style options as the Seamaster Diver series shown here
Price Tag
Higher price tag
| Brand | Omega | Rolex |
| Series | Seamaster Diver 300m Co-Axial Master Chronometer 42mm | Oyster Perpetual Submariner |
| Model # | 210.30.42.20.01.001 | 114060 |
| Size | Men’s | Men’s |
| Case Material | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel |
| Dial Color | Black | Black |
| Bracelet/Strap | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel |
| Clasp | Push Button Folding Clasp | Folding Clasp with Safety Latch |
| Movement | Omega Caliber 8800Uses the new Co-Axial Escapement which contributes to the durability and the precision of the watch as well as how frequent it would require routine maintenance.Co-Axial escapement has less friction and reduces the need for lubricantsTested in 6 different positionsMagnetic resistant with an EMF resistance of up to 15,000 gauss / 1.5 TeslaMETAS Certified Master Chronometer designation and COSC certified chronometer designation with an impressive -0/+5 seconds per day precision. | Rolex Caliber 3130The Rolex Caliber 3130 is a Superlative Chronometer. This means that is has passed COSC testing for a standard chronometer designation which provides an accuracy of -4/+6 seconds per day. The movement is then returned to Rolex where it is installed in a watch case and tested further to ensure a minimum accuracy of -2/+2 seconds per day. |
| Movement Type | Automatic / Master Chronometer | Automatic / Chronometer |
| Power Reserve | 55 hours | 48 hours |
| Jewels in Movement | 35 Jewels | 31 Jewels |
| VPH | 25,200 | 28,800 |
| Bezel | Brushed Steel with Black Ceramic FillSatin-finished steel numbers and indexesUni-Directional / Rotating | Polished Steel with a Highly Durable Black “Cerachrom” bezel insert.Scratch and corrosion resistantUnaffected by UV rays and won’t fadeRimmed with a ribbed edge for enhanced gripUni-Directional / Rotating |
| Crystal | Scratch Resistant Sapphire | Scratch Resistant Sapphire |
| Case Back | Solid | Solid |
| Water Resistant | 300m/1000ft | 300m/1000ft |
| Case Diameter | 42mm | 40mm |
| Case Thickness | 13.7mm | 12.5mm |
