When it comes to vintage diver watches, few carry the depth of history, aesthetics, and collector admiration quite like the Omega Seamaster 300 165.024.
Affectionately known as the “Big Triangle” for its oversized 12 o’clock marker, this model is a standout from Omega’s golden era. First introduced in the mid-1960s, the 165.024 effortlessly fuses military-grade function with mid-century design sensibility—a blend that continues to fascinate both seasoned collectors and new enthusiasts.
Form Meets Function: Then and Now
With its 42mm twisted-lug case, the Seamaster 300 was larger than its contemporaries, such as the Tudor Marine Nationale, but remains comfortable and balanced on the wrist. Early references featured elegant “candy stick” hands, but were eventually replaced with the now-iconic broadsword hands, chosen for maximum legibility in military conditions. This change, once utilitarian, is now considered an aesthetic signature, cherished for its bold presence.
The dial tells its own story. Arabic numerals reminiscent of vintage Panerai pieces add an unmistakable utilitarian tone, while tritium lume—now beautifully patinated with age—lends every watch its own fingerprint. The warmth and character of these markers, paired with hand-drawn dial layouts and those fluid, cursive “Seamaster 300” fonts, remind us that this was a time when watch design involved pen, paper, and human intuition—not algorithms.
A Collector’s Canvas
Finding a 165.024 in pristine condition is no small feat. Many examples have stories to tell—dials marked by sunlight, bezels aged by salt and time, and bracelets long replaced. That’s part of the charm.
In fact, it’s often the search for the right strap that breathes new life into vintage pieces like this one.
Take, for example, @the_watch_perspective, who chose our Khaki Vintage Military 2-piece strap to pair with his Seamaster 300 “Big Triangle.” With distressed silver hardware (crafted from 30–45% recycled metal) and a poly-cotton weave that mimics vintage military webbing, the strap feels authentic—grounded in the very era this Omega was born in. Each hardware piece is tumbled for a unique texture, adding to the individuality of the pairing.
🟢 Explore the Vintage Military Strap
If money weren’t a concern, the Seamaster 300 165.024 would already be in more collections. And while its price is creeping up, it remains—for now—more accessible than the Tudor Marine Nationale. With every detail drawn by hand and every patina earned over decades, this watch isn’t just a tool—it’s a quietly powerful artifact from a design age we still admire today.
