Within watch circles, the Omega Seamaster Diver 300 Professional is known as the Seamaster Professional, or more simply as the SMP. I will start with a negative, the index marks on the ceramic bezel look great in photographs. However, the lack of white enamel in the index marks makes them a little hard to read on the wrist, this is especially so underwater – this is a dive timepiece after all.

Whilst a new model has now superseded the SMP, the 212.30.41.20.03.001 may well become the collector’s model with the deep lacquered dial and unobtrusive Helium valve. The 2500 automatic movement has the co-axial escapement and whilst not entirely an in-house METAS certified movement – it goes ok.

The Co-axial 8800 is undoubtedly a better movement, that is true, but the 2500C is based on the base ETA 2824-2 with Omega refinements and the George Daniels designed co-axial escapement. The base movement is certified to Omega certifications, that will be the highest specifications available, although the movement isn’t METAS certified, I have no issues with that.

I prefer the deep blue lacquered dial of the older model, this is when Omega decided the waves were to be replaced for a plain and uncluttered dial. The steel-on-steel 210.30.42.20.03.001 returned to the waves on the dial making the blue lacquered dial of the 212.30.41.20.03.001 somewhat of an abnormality that could well make it more collectable in the future.