One of the first watches that ever fascinated me was an Omega Seamaster. It belonged to my father, and I used to spend hours on long car trips playing the watch’s unidirectional rotating bezel. However, the Seamaster might have that impact — and retains a psychological importance to many.
When you begin to dive a little deeper into the history of this iconic Omega, it might be clear why such a hardy item of kit so commonly transcends out of its roots that are practical.
Origins of these Seamaster
Made out of necessity, the very first Seamaster was launched in 1948 according to designs of a watch Omega created for airmen in the Second World War. This inaugural edition arrived two variants: middle seconds, and small-seconds at the base of the dial. It had been constructed from stainless steel, equipped with short, sturdy lugs and given a slender profile to encourage its use as a regular watch.
But this original iteration did not look similar to the modern, recognisable version on sale now. Actually, it seemed nothing beats a diver’s watch. That development came nine years after — after the Seamaster 300 was released.
The first professional diver’s watch to come to light from the watch house, this milestone included that child-confusing unidirectional rotating bezel, a black dial with luminous markers and a track record of rigorous water testing. This was the start of the Seamaster we understand today — a watch that we have taken to the deepest depths potential.
It may have been a lengthy 24 years because Pierce Brosnan first strapped on his Walther PPK, however, the celebrity’s incarnation of Bond also eschewed the role’s signature Rolex Submariner to strap an Omega Seamaster.
Brosnan, also Difficulties after himgave Bond a new favourite timepiece — and possess motivated lovers throughout the world to go to boutiques in their droves and inquire especially for’the James Bond watch’. It has been a quarter of a century because one star picked up another, and both have been considerably reinforced — and punctual — because of this association.
Where the land meets the sea
And next, in 2005, came another step in the Seamaster narrative. The release of this Aqua Terra saw new life breathed into this underwater staple, and opened it to some whole new market of clients.
Today, despite its title, the Seamaster is no more only worn by sailors. The Aqua Terra marked a technical breakthrough with its co-axial movement — made to resist over 15,000 gauss of magnetic drive along with unparalleled precision. In its ticking core, the watch was to stay an instrument to be used in the most extreme of conditions, however the ridged dial was unique enough to raise this over a very simple timepiece, and allow us to assign it a higher significance.
The guys who wore a Seamaster
And we're not the only people to think so. This watch, at once aspirational and achievable, has been worn by several of the planet’s most beautiful guys.
But maybe the most touching story, and evidence the Seamaster is not just a practical tool, comes from our very own shores.
It is a connection we're able to connect to, and there seems to be no better heirloom than this particular Omega watch. Therefore, whether you want a functional piece of kit to head into rough seas, or some way back to front seat of the Volvo in which you fell in love with watches, then there’s nothing so suitable like a Seamaster.
