1967 Omega Seamaster 300 (Ref. 165.024) "W10 British Royal Army"

The art of collecting military-issued timepieces has never been more interesting or captivating than in today’s day and age. These alluring timepieces have been sought after for as long as collectors have existed, however, due to the availability of archived information we now possess, the community has never been more interconnected or informed. As we collectively continue to discover new information we reinforce our understanding of where, when, and why these incredible timepieces were enlisted.

Upon first glance this Omega Seamaster 300 may seem like any other well-preserved reference 165.024 model, however, this unassuming example happens to be a part of one of the most prestigious family of timepieces, those issued by the British Ministry of Defense. Like the Rolex ref. 5517 “MilSub”, which the Omega “MilMaster” actually predates, this watch was created to adhere to the exact specifications set forth by the MOD to fit the necessary military applications it would be used for while also being able to survive the environment of global conflict.

Omega created two very similar Seamaster 300 models for the MOD, one for the British Royal Navy, and the other for the British Royal Army which is also designated as the “W10” model. While both of these remain almost exactly the same, both feature military branch-specific engravings on the case back and the British Navy models are also more commonly seen with the iconic circle “T” printing on the dial which designated the use of tritium for the luminous material. Though some “W10” models also featured the circle “T” designation on the dial, most were fitted with standard dials with no military designations.

Besides the previously listed differences, both the Navy and Army models feature the iconic sword-shaped hands (which carried over to the Rolex contract), bakelite luminous bezels, fixed strap bars, and the in-house Omega Cal. 552 automatic winding movement.

Considering vintage diving watches as a category, the Omega Seamaster 300 has
cemented itself as one of the most important watches to come from the “Golden Era” of sports timepieces. The specific aesthetic of the 165.024 evokes a true feeling of adventure and exploration which is all but amplified by the military specifications and provenance.