Maybe you 300MC guys can help me out since I still can't get it off my mind, but have some concerns. I'd love some thoughtful input from the first-hand experience of owners (since I've only been able to see this piece under the lights of the Omega Boutique).
••• Concern #1: Dial & Bezel Finish •••
The dial seems to come across extremely flat in finish. The bezel under the boutique lights comes across flat as well. This is a juxtaposition to the shiniest of the polished parts of the bracelet and case to my eyes. Others have mentioned how the bezel looks glossy though. More often than not, is the bezel a glossy black and the dial more of a vintage matte/flat black or grey under direct light or does it usually come across all black?
All Black?
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Or black bezel and grey dial?
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••• Concern #2: Light Play Across Dial •••
I absolutely love how the Planet Ocean dial can light up when the light catches it just right (hands, indexes and applied logo) and it's a big draw for me to just stare at the watch and watch the light play across the dial. How does the light play across the dial of the 300MC?
I've tried to find photos. The best so far has been this one. The hands catch light well and it seems like the numerals do too, but the sunken indexes kind of disappear. Is this pretty true to how the watch looks from an angle as light plays across it?
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And for comparison, this is what the 2201.50 can do and what keeps me checking the watch not for the time but for this light play across the dial. This alone is something I love on all the watches I own with polished metal on the hands/dial and I find the watches that lack this less visually interesting in day-to-day wear under different lighting conditions). This reason alone is why I'm considering the Black Bay alongside the 300MC. It's that big of a deal to me.
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••• Concern #3: Scratched PCLs & Polished Lug Tops •••
I work a blue collar job so the watch is going to see some use, and will likely get scratched. My PO has it's share of scratches on the twisted lugs and I feel like the polished flat tops of the straight lugs are going to be an even bigger scratch magnet along with the bracelet. Legitimate concern? Does anyone have photos of their 300MC with some wear?
••• Concern #4: Silver Ring Between Bezel & Crystal •••
Obviously the bezel and sapphire are scratch resistant, but what about the silver ring between the two? Is that raw metal? Is that another area that's going to pick up scratches and if so is that something Omega would likely polish out on services?
••• Concern #5: Overall Look Under Natural Lighting Conditions •••
This kind of ties into #2 above. I've only seen the watch under boutique lights. It does have a beautifully balanced aesthetic, proportionally speaking. How is it in day to day wear? I'm rarely dressed up. Some note it being dressy, others note it being easy to dress down. To me it seems like it could be dressy on the bracelet but it dresses down nicely on NATO or leather. I'd mainly be wanting to keep it on the bracelet however, and I'm a t-shirt and shorts or jeans kind of guy, and don't want it to be overly dressy. My Planet Ocean's only real bling is the dial details and they're subtle enough, where the rest of the package is pretty utilitarian/tool watch-ish which I like. I just worry about the 300 being too flashy.
••• Concern #6: Cost •••
What's a fair price range to fall within for a used 300MC in good shape with box and papers right now? Seems like I've seen them for $4200-4800. Does that sound right?
Thanks a ton for any help. It's either keep the Planet Ocean and add a Black Bay, sell my Planet Ocean and get a 300MC, or I could sell my Nomos then stretch to get the 300MC and keep my Planet Ocean too. Decisions, decisions.