2913-3, Meister Dial Seamaster 300, Steel

Put very simply, this is objectively one of the most exceptional 2913 examples known today. Not only has it sat in a drawer or safe for the vast majority of its life, but this Seamaster 300 was retailed by, and has a dial signed by Omega for, Meister of Zurich. It was ordered in period with two bracelets by request in '59, both the original elastic 7077 flat link and this far rarer 'bamboo' beads of rice with an adjustable clasp. Plus, back when Omega used to issue them, it includes an Extract of Archive. This is the sort of watch that would not look out of place in Omega's own museum. In fact, this is the very watch which featured on Hodinkee's Reference Points as the example of 2913-3 Seamaster 300.

The 2913 debuted in 1957 with the broad arrow handset and classic straight-lug, Hugenin Frères 39mm case. There are 8 variations of 2913, from 2913-1 up until -8, which varied in handset and bezel. The broad arrow handset is unique to the first three iterations, and correct in this -3. It also sports a correct, rare early countdown bezel in original bakelite, which is flawless and looks unworn right down to the slight concavity and luminous dot. This -3 also includes the iconic Omega Seahorse engraving on its caseback. The luminous plots, which are in fact recessed in a sandwich dial construction, have aged to a deep pumpkin tone.

Moreover, the Meister signature holds a wealth of history. Now defunct, Meister worked directly with Omega through the decades of the mid-century in Zurich. Where later signed Seamaster 300 references had their Meister signatures above 6, only on the earliest 2913 Seamaster 300s did they appear below the Seamaster line at 12.

This is a true tool watch which has survived today to be an exemplar of the breed. The original 1957 trio of Omega professional offerings are the very foundations on which modern Omega is built. Seamaster 300 is an institution today, one which began with somewhat more pure and noble ambition, to dive deeper than 200m and be durable as hell. This is a watch that simply oozes a purity of soul, you can feel what Omega stood for in 1957 as soon as you hold it. The Seamaster 300 began here, and in that respect alone it is special. An example this well-preserved with the additional retailer dial, two bracelets, and extract is simply likely not a repeatable proposition, at least not without waiting decades.

This is one of the most original and well-preserved Seamaster 300s known to the collecting community. It appeared first in 2022 from its original owner at auction, who kept it unworn in a drawer since first purchase, with two bracelets he purchased with the watch originally. The lugs are perfect, its caseback engravings remarkably deep. The bakelite bezel is fully intact with no hairlines. Even the luminous bezel dot is clearly original and perfectly matching. Moving inward, this is the original Omega-imprinted acrylic crystal, which shows some signs of age like light temperature expansion/contraction lines on the inside of the crystal. These are difficult to capture in photography but we tried in latter images here to bring them out. The radium dial has minimal burn if any at all, despite a very deep orange tone to the original applications, both on dial and in the handset. All printed applications including the desirable Meister signature are clean, undamaged, and correct. The seconds hand an even darker patina which has likely developed from small radium burn over time. The bracelets are both showing little to no wear at all. The calibre 501 is running beautifully on our timing equipment, likely serviced before its auction appearance in 2022, we would advise not adjusting it until amplitude drops, it is very healthy today. The winding and setting feel is truly remarkable, Seamaster 300s never feel this precise anymore. This is a specimen that would not look out of place in the Omega museum. It comes with both original bracelets (an Omega 'bamboo' beads of rice and flat link both from 1959 with both sets of #6 original end links), Omega presentation box, and Extract of Archive confirming delivery to Switzerland.

This watch is modeled on a relatively large 7.7 inch wrist.