Project 300

[enkidu]

I'm excited about the changes to the 300 project. I love the idea of a sapphire bezel, especially if it is a flat profile like the ProPlof as I expect it would be. The high-domed sapphire crystal is an improvement in my mind also. If those two get combined into a case that has the lugs and case shape of the original Royal Navy Seamaster 300 and a big triangle, it would be just about the perfect retro-tool watch in my book. The new additions make the price increase well worth it. I would, of course, get mine made in a destro formation as is my wont. .

One thing, however, which I find annoying on my current big triangle watch, a "Great White" Seamaster GMT, is that the thin minute markers don't exist all along the edges, but are obscured by the big triangle at the top. This makes stopping the second hand "dead center" at the top a bit of a hit more miss proposition. I'd love it if there were all 60 tick marks (or 60 tiny dots) all along the edge of the dial.\

Oh, and I put my deposit down a while back.

[sunster]

Has Bill released any drawings yet on this?

[wats911]

Not yet, but on page 3 or 4, there's a couple great reference photo's of the old Omega SM300.

Also, I'm in. I don't mind the increased price point, as it's broken up into installments.

[tmoris]

CNC/Stamped presumably means some case parts will be stamped and other machined. There was some discussion earlier in this thread about the differences between the two processes, I think.

As for a bracelet with folded end links and solid links, I think Bill is reiterating earlier concerns that while he was trying to go for solid end links, he might only be able to get folded ones. The end links are the links where the bracelet connects to the lugs of the watch case. Solid ones are a single block of steel, generally with a hole for the spring bar and some sort of attachment mechanism for the other bracelet links. Folded ones are a thin sheet of steel that is folded into roughly the same shape, but is hollow. Generally, the same spring bar that goes through the end link also goes through the first bracelet link, which usually means that the end link comes off with the spring bar when everything is disassembled.

Original SM300s are commonly found on period 1171/633s, which are folded link bracelets of similar design as I've described.

thanks for the explanation. so if i understand correctly, then solid end is of higher quality, but SM300 used folded ends, thus getting as close as possible to the original would mean picking these over the solid end links?

i dont really care whether the watch is a 100-200 bucks more expensive or not, as long as i get a masterpiece. if i am to wait another 2 yrs for it, then i prefer perfection over cost..

[wats911]

Question: Bill's survey indicated that the original deposit that we put down would be applied at the second installment. Did I read that right? If so, when does the initial "place holder" deposit come due? Have any of you guys put that down yet? Just trying to plan accordingly. Thanks!

[medtech]

I'm just guessing, but I would assume all of our deposits are "original", then the remainder will be applied to the second installment. When the second installment time comes around we will all owe the balance, and so on.

Question: Bill's survey indicated that the original deposit that we put down would be applied at the second installment. Did I read that right? If so, when does the initial "place holder" deposit come due? Have any of you guys put that down yet? Just trying to plan accordingly. Thanks!

[ASRSPR]

thanks for the explanation. so if i understand correctly, then solid end is of higher quality, but SM300 used folded ends, thus getting as close as possible to the original would mean picking these over the solid end links?

i dont really care whether the watch is a 100-200 bucks more expensive or not, as long as i get a masterpiece. if i am to wait another 2 yrs for it, then i prefer perfection over cost..

Folded end links aren't really much "worse" or "better" than solid ones. They both share the same weak point: the spring bar. Well-constructed folded end links should also hold the bracelet link in place pretty well too. Solid end links are preferred because they are marginally heavier and give the impression of better construction.

On the other hand, folded link bracelets just feel flimsy. I don't have the same confidence in them since they're baring the strain placed on the bracelet where the solid end link usually isn't (since the bracelet links are directly connected to the lugs by the spring bar). Folded links would be more historically accurate, but I think less suitable for the Mk II creed. I have a period 1171/633 bracelet that came with my pre-moon Speedmaster. I wear that watch on leather because the bracelet feels so flimsy.

[Thieuster]

Yes I agree with you on the flimsyness of the Omega 1171 bracelet. But the same goes for old Rolex bracelets... Then again, lets assume that Bill produces a watch with the same lugwidth as the original SM300. How many of us will put the MKII on an original 1171 bracelet? A lot of people, I think.

And a lot of future owners will put the watch on an Omega mesh, I think! Thinking into that direction: a lot of us will give an arm and a leg for a decent quality Omega-ish mesh! I know that there's something similar on the market with removable links, but a MKII mesh, longer than the original Omega (which is too short for the average 21st century wrist...), with an Omega-ish clasp and / or compatible with the Omega extention pieces will sell like hot cakes! We would be able to wear it on more than one MKII model, making it interchangable!

Menno

[enkidu]

And a lot of future owners will put the watch on an Omega mesh, I think! Thinking into that direction: a lot of us will give an arm and a leg for a decent quality Omega-ish mesh! I know that there's something similar on the market with removable links, but a MKII mesh, longer than the original Omega (which is too short for the average 21st century wrist...), with an Omega-ish clasp and / or compatible with the Omega extention pieces will sell like hot cakes! We would be able to wear it on more than one MKII model, making it interchangable!

Having the mkii 300 come with a mesh bracelet instead of a spare bracelet would totally rock! I understand that the added complexity/difficulty of coordinating another separately manufactured component might not be worth the trouble. Of course, if you consider that the same mesh could be used/sold as an option for the upcoming TR watches and other watches it might be worth the investment in the long run.

[kmangino47]

Question: Bill's survey indicated that the original deposit that we put down would be applied at the second installment. Did I read that right? If so, when does the initial "place holder" deposit come due? Have any of you guys put that down yet? Just trying to plan accordingly. Thanks!

I HAD SAME QUESTION EMAILED MKII AND GOT THIS BACK VERY QUICK RESPONSE:

Not yet. Sometime after the survey is completed, if we have enough people on the project we'll send you another email for next step.

Regards,
Winnie