Seamaster 300 Blue: A comprehensive comparison of GEN, VS, OR, ZF and AG

[Nashiey]

Anyone ever attempted to realign a bezel insert on these seamasters. The ZF I've received is ever so slightly out, it's enough to bug me but not enough if it's too risky/potential to scratch or ruin bezel insert by trying to adjust it. Was going to go to a watchsmith and see what they say, but just curious if anyone has had the same?

My mind could be playing tricks on me also. The bezel looks aligned depending on angle, but certainly if I look at the 12 marker against bezel it's slightly left and not centred with the scallop.

If I turn the watch and then look at each marker the same way ie from 12 point of view I see the same..hence its slightly out..

Dude where are the pictures come ooooon!

 

[Kup1712]

Anyone ever attempted to realign a bezel insert on these seamasters. The ZF I've received is ever so slightly out, it's enough to bug me but not enough if it's too risky/potential to scratch or ruin bezel insert by trying to adjust it. Was going to go to a watchsmith and see what they say, but just curious if anyone has had the same?

My mind could be playing tricks on me also. The bezel looks aligned depending on angle, but certainly if I look at the 12 marker against bezel it's slightly left and not centred with the scallop.

If I turn the watch and then look at each marker the same way ie from 12 point of view I see the same..hence its slightly out..

You can use acetone. Put some acetone in a plastic container or glass and then the watch upside down (the bezel and bezel insert need to be completely in acetone). Leave it for few hours and then you can remove it easily. Next step it to align it properly and fix it with new bezel insert glue ring (3M).

 

[jk007]

Dude where are the pictures come ooooon!

Haha I did post one but thankfully the mods look to have taken it down. In the photo it had some photos of a sick puppies toilet habits for the vet in the screenshot

You can use acetone. Put some acetone in a plastic container or glass and then the watch upside down (the bezel and bezel insert need to be completely in acetone). Leave it for few hours and then you can remove it easily. Next step it to align it properly and fix it with new bezel insert glue ring (3M).

That's a good idea, I might leave it to the experts. I would worry I would overglue or misplace the bezel...sounds like once it's on, it's on...

 

[Kup1712]

Haha I did post one but thankfully the mods look to have taken it down. In the photo it had some photos of a sick puppies toilet habits for the vet in the screenshot



That's a good idea, I might leave it to the experts. I would worry I would overglue or misplace the bezel...sounds like once it's on, it's on...

It is an easy fix, you just need to order some glue rings on aliexx and you are good to go

€ 3,35 36％ Off | 10/20/50pcs 3M double sided sticker watch bezel waterproof sticker fixing watch case part fit Dia 36/38/39/40/42/44mm Bezel Ring

https://a.aliexpress.com/_m02E7Ii

 

[apearce]

Great review and I fully agree the ZF is the best overall and with an ORF bracelet like I have on mine it’s a solid daily wearer and has been since the day it arrived.

This is the combination I want to order, but which TD would supply that combination, and not make me pay for 2 bracelets, one of which I will never use? All help much appreciated folks

 

[thorg]

Anyone have the blue rubber strap? I’ve decided on zf.
I currently wear a speedy on bracelet but really would like a blue dial on strap.

 

[Jazz01]

Anyone have the blue rubber strap? I’ve decided on zf.
I currently wear a speedy on bracelet but really would like a blue dial on strap.

just go for it - it is a new one:

 

[thorg]

Looks great!

 

[Got20Mate]

Ah man, I'm still so torn between the ZF and VS offering. HONT has some good prices on the VS at the moment, but the ZF does appear to be the more popular choice here for obvious reasons.

The detail in this review is steller btw - Props!

 

[johnchpark]

ZF definitely a better rep, with VSF right behind.
But ZF just cannot seem to get their index alignments right.
Seeing so many QC photos of the ZF 300m and I don't think I have actually ever seen an example where all of the indices are well aligned. Usually the 12 or 6 is crooked, and sometimes the 9 or 6. Even the comparison photo shows the 6 o'clock is crooked in this thread.
On the other hand, VSF has a better track record of index alignment on QC forums.
ZF makes great reps. I just wish their QC was much better. Right now, it's become a rarity to get a good ZF QC.

 

[shinynewbling25]

I don't know. VSF left a bad impression on me. I bought a black and blue VSF. The black one was great but I sold it after a month and a half because I liked the blue. The blue watch was just off. Gritty winding, 20+ winds before hands started moving. It will keep time for a bit then stop, then keep time again. It's pretty much dead. I'd swap a gen movement in but the crown or tube feel like they're about to strip so that would be pointless and getting another VSF that might have the crown strip issue would really bother me...... I've been looking to replace it for two yrs now and this ZF looks like it. I don't notice the yellow tint on the lume. None of that stuff bothers me nor does slight misalignment issues. I just want the things to work and have invisible crystals. If there is any glare I hate it. This thread is great and I will be getting it Steve that's for sure. Never bought from him before.

 

[Cilu]

Awesome comparison!
This is immensly helpful!

 

[Valaj]

ZF definitely a better rep, with VSF right behind.
But ZF just cannot seem to get their index alignments right.
Seeing so many QC photos of the ZF 300m and I don't think I have actually ever seen an example where all of the indices are well aligned. Usually the 12 or 6 is crooked, and sometimes the 9 or 6. Even the comparison photo shows the 6 o'clock is crooked in this thread.
On the other hand, VSF has a better track record of index alignment on QC forums.
ZF makes great reps. I just wish their QC was much better. Right now, it's become a rarity to get a good ZF QC.

Personally I don't pay too much attention to the crooked markers. Mainly because I don't notice it on the wrist.
Another thing is. I went to an OB last week. I checked out three watches. Speedy '57, green SMP300 and green AT. If those watches were put through QC, they would've been RLed by a lot of people. The Speedy and AT had datewheels that weren't centered. I tried changing the time on it but the date wasn't perfectly centered. The SMP300 had the 6 o clock marker shifted to the right and the omega logo was slightly tilted as well. I didn't notice it on the wrist but looking at it very close, it was obvious. I spoke to the salas guy there and he noticed it too after I pointed it out to him. We checked a few other SMPs. Some were spot on. Some had the date not centered.

What I'm trying to say is that these defects can be present on the gen version as well.

 

[Got20Mate]

Personally I don't pay too much attention to the crooked markers. Mainly because I don't notice it on the wrist.
Another thing is. I went to an OB last week. I checked out three watches. Speedy '57, green SMP300 and green AT. If those watches were put through QC, they would've been RLed by a lot of people. The Speedy and AT had datewheels that weren't centered. I tried changing the time on it but the date wasn't perfectly centered. The SMP300 had the 6 o clock marker shifted to the right and the omega logo was slightly tilted as well. I didn't notice it on the wrist but looking at it very close, it was obvious. I spoke to the salas guy there and he noticed it too after I pointed it out to him. We checked a few other SMPs. Some were spot on. Some had the date not centered.

What I'm trying to say is that these defects can be present on the gen version as well.

Highly recommended if you get the chance to see gens in person, real eye opener. I was looking at a speedy a few months ago and it was perfect, could've easily bought it that minute. The Seamaster on the other hand had a couple of issues on the bezel, shocker.

 

[phelan771]

Wow Steve. Thanks for all the hard work. Very detailed comparison.

 

[UkBionic]

Is it possible to get that rubber strap separately?

just go for it - it is a new one:

 

[Kup1712]

Is it possible to get that rubber strap separately?

Yes, vsf version.
Just found this amazing item on AliExpress. Check it out! € 50,78 | AAA 20mm Soft Quality Fluorine Rubber Watch band Buckle Grind Arenaceous Belt Replacement for Omega Strap for Seamaster 300

https://a.aliexpress.com/_mOUNQBq

 

[phelan771]

So what's the current consensus for the best seamaster diver clone? VSF or ZF?

 

[Teamjlf]

So what's the current consensus for the best seamaster diver clone? VSF or ZF?

Unless VSF have fixed their crap crown and tube quality, I’d go ZF every time.

 

[Jazz01]

ZF vs. Gen - a really nice close call. Rubber even nicer/softer on ZF than on Gen. Re. any misalignment: have in mind that most pictures (even the QC pics from TDs) are taken marginal edge-sided and typically by hand - in reality/looking straight on the watch you have far less misalignment (and without magnification even less recognizable). I am not saying that there are not some badly misaligned examples - just saying that the picture analyzes often does mislead do to marginal edge-wise pictures (for example the 6'o clock and 30' below looks quite misaligned on the first pic and less on the second pic; but also the second pic was done by hand, so also not as professional as it could be - and in reality it looks nicely spot-on on the wrist)