Seamaster Professional Diver 2531.80 [Derek Ziglar]
Seamaster Professional Diver 2531.80 [Derek Ziglar]
OMEGA's line of water resistant watches dates all the way back to 1932. The Seamaster name was introduced in 1947. Up through the 1960's, the Seamaster models paralleled the traditional style of dress watches, such as the OMEGA DeVille (some were even labeled as a 'Seamaster DeVille'). While these watches were water resistant (back then, they could still use the term 'water-proof'), few had functions other than basic display of the time and occasionally the date.
In the 1970's, OMEGA took the Seamaster line in a much sportier and often trendier direction. During this decade, Seamasters took on a heavy sport and functional look and came with more diver-oriented features, such as higher depth ratings, calibrated rotating bezels, chronograph functions, and high-visibility dials.
OMEGA's current Seamaster line consists of the Seamaster Aqua Terra with 150 meter water resistance and the Seamaster Professional series (introduced in 1993) with 300 meter water resistance and diving-oriented features in a sports watch style. Other recent and generally still available models include the Seamaster 120 series with 120 meter water-resistance in a dress watch style.
At the time the Seamaster was introduced in 1948, standard watches were extremely susceptible to water damage from even a dip in a sink or tub. The Seamaster was created as a line of standard dress-style watches which were 'waterproof' (as they called them then) suitable for swimming and other light water activities. Their water resistance then is about comparable to a 10 to 30 meter rating today. The now common diver's watch style was unknown at that time.
Ten years later in 1958 Rolex introduced the Submariner, really starting the popular market for the sports/diving style of watch (though other brands did have such watches even earlier). A few years later, OMEGA added the comparable sportier models that were designed for even deeper water activities like diving that need a rating of 100 to 300 meters. They maintained the Seamaster name because of their water resistant designs. This split the Seamaster line of water resistant watches into both classic dressy and more rugged sporty styles.
That continues today, with the Seamaster Aqua Terra series being the direct descendant of the classic dressy Seamaster DeVille. Great for people who usually need a dressy watch, but still like to go for a swim. The Seamaster Professional is the sportier variation with additional features and deeper depth ratings needed by people involved with more serious underwater activities like diving--and those that are not diving professionals, but still enjoy the ruggest sporty styling.
Today, every watch OMEGA makes has at least as much water resistance as those early Seamasters did. So those vintage Seamasters might seem wimpy by modern standards--but when you understand the history, they were a significant step in the evolution of water resistant watches.
OMEGA currently makes several models of Seamaster watches, with numerous sub variations of color, bracelet, movement, and casing sizes. As of early 2004, the main Seamaster models in production are:
Recently retired Seamaster models include:
2004 suggested retail prices in the USA on these watches are in the $1,500 to $3,500 range for stainless steel versions. Up to $20,000 for solid gold versions -- except the Skeleton which reportedly sold for around $44,000. International pricing is based on many factors besides simply the currency exchange rate, so see a dealer in your specific country of interest for local pricing.
OMEGA reports that as of 1999, the most popular variations of the Seamaster Professional Diver worldwide are the:
Current OMEGA model numbers follow a mostly straightforward convention. A model number, such as 2831.80.08, can be interpreted digit by digit. The following list covers only the variations for the Seamaster Professional, GMT, and Professional Chronograph watches. Other OMEGA lines use the same sequence, but the numbers represent different options. Even here, you will see odd variations between some of the codes for the Chronograph versus the Pro. Newer variations, like the 1998 Titanium Pro Diver and the GMT also get designated somewhat less obviously. Only certain combinations of these options are available.
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How to read OMEGA Seamaster model numbers for the Aqua Terra, Professional Diver, GMT, and Chronograph Warning: Codes are not used consistently by OMEGA, use this table only as a rough guide | ||
| 1 | Product | 2=Seamaster |
| 2 | Case / Bracelet | 1=Gold (yellow or white), 2=Steel (Pro 2000 bracelet) OR Titanium (Chronograph), 3=Stainless Steel and Gold, 5=Stainless Steel (Pro Diver, GMT, or Chrono) or Titanium (Pro Diver), 6=Red Gold w/Strap (Pro Diver), 8=Stainless Steel w/Strap, 9=Seamaster Pro 2000 w/Strap, 0=Seamaster Pro 2000 w/alternate bracelet (USA) |
| 3 | Size / Movement |
Size/movement codes are not consistent, especially with the new models introduced in 2000. 0=Coaxial, 3=Pro Diver full-size Automatic or GMT Automatic, 4=Pro Diver full size Quartz, 5=Pro Diver mid size Automatic, 6=Pro Diver mid size Quartz, 7=Ladies Auto, 8=Ladies Quartz, 9=Chronograph Automatic |
| 4 | Bezel |
Bezel codes are not consistent by color - they vary by model and case material. 1=Blue (Steel Pro) OR Gold (Gold Pro) OR Brushed Steel (Titanium Pro Diver), 2=Polished Steel (Steel Pro) OR Gold (Two-Tone Pro) OR Blue (Gold Pro) OR Polished White Gold (white Gold Pro, silver dial limited edition 150th Anniv. Pro) 3=Plain (Aqua Terra), Steel w/black numbers (Titanium Diver) 4=Black (Steel GMT or Steel Pro) OR Yellow Gold (Yellow Gold GMT), 5=Steel w/blue numbers (Steel Diver), 6=Gold (Titanium/Tantalum Chronograph), 8=Polished Steel (Steel Chronograph or GMT) OR Gold (Two-Tone Chronograph) OR Blue (Titanium Chronograph), 9=Blue (Steel Chronograph) |
| 5 | Dial | 2=White, 3=Silver, 5=Black, 7=Special (such as Mother-of-pearl), 8=Blue (dark or electric) |
| 6 | Option |
Currently used for miscellaneous options. 3=Blue hands (Aqua Terra), 4=Gold hands on steel model (Aqua Terra) |
| 7 | Option | 0=undeclared, 3=Foldover clasp for strap models, 9=Rubber strap |
| 8 | Option | 0 or not shown=standard bracelet, 1=rubber strap with steel clasp (Pro Diver) or black alligator strap (Aqua Terra), 3=rubber strap with non-steel clasp, 7=brown alligator strap (Aqua Terra), 8=blue sharkskin strap (Pro Diver), 9=green sharkskin strap (Pro Diver) |
So, a model 2831.80.08 is a full-size Seamaster Professional, stainless steel case, with blue bezel and dial, on the optional blue sharkskin strap.
Many of the Men's Seamaster watches offer both automatic (self-winding mechanical) and quartz movements. The Ladies' Seamaster Professional is available only with the quartz movement, except for one solid gold model introduced in 2000. The Seamaster Professional Chronograph, Seamaster GMT, and titanium Seamaster Professionals are available only with automatic movements.
There are many opinions on the subject as to which movement is better. But since they are all opinions -- your choice should be made based on what works best for you. Also, there are several feature (and a few minor cosmetic) differences between the automatic and quartz movement versions of the Seamaster Professional.
Seamaster Aqua Terra and Railmaster (OMEGA Coaxial movements)
Seamaster Professional Automatic (OMEGA #1120 automatic movement, also used in the Seamaster 120M)
The Seamaster Pro Chronograph and Seamaster GMT use different automatic movements, so have some feature differences:
Seamaster Professional Quartz (same movement used in the Ladies' Seamaster Pro and Seamaster 120M Quartz)
If you haven't yet bought an expensive wristwatch, read the topic 'An expensive watch is more accurate, right?' in the accompanying Fine Wristwatch FAQ.
The Seamaster automatic models have received a Chronometer certificate from COSC. This certifies that the movement measured within -4 to +6 seconds of variation per day. Like most fine watch makers, OMEGA does not bother to certify their quartz models.
Many owners on the Internet have reported their Seamasters often far exceed COSC standards in daily use. Reports of automatics staying within +/-3 seconds per day and quartz staying within +/-3 seconds per month are not uncommon. This makes the Seamaster Professional one of the better choices for a highly accurate wristwatch. Each watch is different. Mechanical watches are much more prone to variation based on how you wear and store them. Because of this, the differing variations of a mechanical watch tend to cancel each other out somewhat, making the watches usually much more accurate than the single-day allowed variations may make it seem.
Overall, since many of us have to reset our watches twice a year to comply with daylight saving time or other local time changes, if your watch stays within 1 minute of correct time between those changes, you should have a watch that is more than sufficiently accurate for normal use.
The serial number on most current OMEGA Seamaster models is laser etched in very small type on the back of the lug closest to the 7 o'clock position on the watch. Some newer Titanium models have it on the back of the lug closest to the 11 o'clock position. OMEGA reports that they do not always put the serial number in the same place.
If you know where to look, you can see that a number is there with the naked eye. You will probably need a magnifier to actually read the number. Serial numbers, except on particularly old models are 8 digits long. The OMEGA serial series are different -- different models and model lines use different counting sequences. For OMEGA watches made within the most recent decade, automatic Chronometer models usually start with a 4, 6 or 8 while quartz and non-chronometer models usually start with a 5. Only serial numbers starting with the same two digits are comparable. They are issued to the movements when manufactured, so do not represent a perfect chronological sequence of when the finished watches roll off the assembly line.
OMEGA has made several special and limited edition models of Seamaster watches within the past few years. See the Seamaster Photo Gallery for details and photos of them.
The "Professional" series of Seamaster watches was introduced in 1988. Since then, the line has undergone several transformations.
 Seamaster Professional Diver 200M, circa 1988 [photo: Mike Partee] | First generation (1988): 200M water resistance; rotating bezel with toothed outer edge; Second hand with dot, hour hand has the 'Mercedes'-like symbol, just like the Rolex Explorer. Minute hand is a widening stick with pointed tip. Crown was very gear-shaped. Metal bracelet integrated into the watch, with Rolex-like folding clasp but with additional flip lock safety. Available in all steel and two-tone models, with both quartz and automatic versions. Black appears to have been the only option for dial and bezel color on the all steel models. Steel and gold models appear to have had either black or gold dials. Dial labeled 'Seamaster PROFESSIONAL 200M.' |
 Seamaster Professional Diver 200M quartz, circa 1992 [photo: Richard] | Second generation (1992?): Essentially the same as first generation, except for revised hands. Hour hand now a simple stick, minute a simpler straight stick, crown has a finer milling on the edge instead of hte earlier gear-shape. Around this time, OMEGA also made a titanium chronograph that matched the Seamaster Professional 200, but was not labeled as a specifically water-resistant watch and did not bear the Seamaster name. |
 Seamaster Professional Diver 300M automatic, circa 1997 [photo: OMEGA] | Third generation (1993, unofficially called the 'James Bond' version): New case shape with more defined curves; larger crown guards; helium relief valve; outer edge of bezel now smooth sculpted; completely new bracelet style - no longer integrated into the case; strap options on steel models; new fold-lock bracelet with release buttons on sides; new skeletonized hands and red tip on second hand. Additional pips on bezel markings between the 15 and 60 markers. Depth rating increased to 300M. Dial now has wave patterned background, markings mostly unchanged except for new 300m/1000ft depth rating. Chronograph version now water-resistant and officially part of the Seamaster line. Black dial/bezel dropped, new colors are: blue and white dials with several matching or coordinating bezel colors. |
 Seamaster Professional Diver 300M in Titanium, 1998 [photo: Derek Ziglar] | Fourth generation (1998): The Pro Diver in Titanium and its companion '150th Anniversary Limited Edition' was introduced with a new style, but without changing any of the existing models in the Seamaster Professional line. New dial and hands design. Dial has even more distinct hour markers. Skeleton hands dropped in favor of easier to see in dark hands like on first generation Seamaster Professional. Bolder numbering on bezel. New dial colors: semi-electric blue and silver. |
 Seamaster Professional Diver 300M, 2000 [photo: OMEGA] | Fifth generation (2000): The new dial style was extended across more models in the Seamaster Professional line for new models introduced in the year 2000--but as a supplement to, not as a replacement for, the classic skeleton-hand "Bond" style models. Biggest surprise was OMEGA adding a new style bracelet. Originally intended to replace the "Bond" bracelet on almost all models, OMEGA's USA and South American distributors rejected the change, so in those areas, the existing Seamaster bracelet link style was still available and usually the default choice on most models. The newer Seamaster bracelet uses a link style virtually identical to that on the Speedmaster -- an intentional move by OMEGA with the intent of unifying the look of their sport watch lines. |
The numerous variations in the Seamaster Professional Diver models can be hard to tell apart. The features on the two men's sizes available on the Seamaster Professional Diver are both scaled to not appear significantly different. The mid-size even uses a slightly narrower bracelet (18mm instead of 20mm) and a somewhat smaller clasp to keep the whole watch looking the same.
So, how can you tell them apart? First, there is a visual difference in the position of the date window between the quartz and automatic movements. The date window on the quartz movement is a millimeter or so closer to the center of the dial. Second, the smaller case on the mid size means the right edge of the date window will be about 1.5 millimeters closer to the edge of the dial than it is on the full size case.
Combined, these two factors give a different position of the date window on each of the four case size/movement variations on this watch.
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The easiest part is to tell the movement. The automatic models have four lines of text on the lower half of the dial -- including the word CHRONOMETER as the third line. The quartz models have only three, lacking the word CHRONOMETER. To tell the case sizes apart, look at the marker at the 3 o'clock position. The mid size have little to no room for a marker to the right of the date window. But the full size have room for a moderate to large marker. |
The Men's Seamaster Professional full and mid-size watches have:
| Features Based on Watch Movement | ||||||||
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OMEGA 1120* Automatic |
OMEGA 2520 Automatic |
OMEGA 1438 Quartz |
OMEGA 1424 Quartz |
OMEGA 1164** Automatic |
OMEGA 1128*** Automatic | |||
|
Used in: Seamaster Models |
120 Auto, Pro Diver Auto | Ladies Pro Auto |
120 Quartz, Pro Quartz |
Ladies Pro, Ladies 120 | Chronograph | GMT | ||
| Based on: | ETA 2892A2 | ETA? | ETA? | ETA? | ETA/Valjoux 7750 | ETA 2892A2 | ||
| Jewels: | 23 | 20 | 6 | 7 | 25 | 23 | ||
| Second Hand: | Sweep 1/8 sec | Sweep 1/8 sec | Jump 1 sec | Jump 1 sec | Sweep 1/8 sec | Sweep 1/8 sec | ||
| Date Change: | Rapid | ??? | Gradual | Gradual | Gradual | Gradual | ||
| Date Set: | Quick Set | ??? | Quick Set | Fwd 24 hours | Quick Set | Fwd 24 hours | ||
* The OMEGA 1120 was introduced in 1996 to replace the 21 jewel OMEGA 1109 used in the earlier Seamaster Professionals. See the Seamaster Pro Troubleshooter for more details on this change.
** The OMEGA 1164 replaced the OMEGA 1154 in 1992. The 1164 is essentially the same movement, merely with cosmetic changes to 'personalize' it with OMEGA markings instead of the generic ETA markings.
*** The OMEGA 1128 is essentially the OMEGA 1120 with the addition of the 24-hour GMT hand, but lacking the quick set date.
These same ETA and Valjoux base movements are used in watches ranging from half to several times the price of a Seamaster. But each watch manufacturer varies in how much they modify, retest, or certify the movement before putting them into their watches. OMEGA makes a number of their own modifications to these already high quality movements and then has the automatic ones C.O.S.C. certified before incorporating them into OMEGA watches.
The original ETA 2892 movement was introduced in 1975. The current version is the 2892-A2. This movement is used as the basis of numerous fine watches from companies such as Alain Silberstein, Baume & Mercier, Cartier, Chronoswiss, Fortis, Longines, OMEGA, Sinn, TAG-Heuer, and Ulysse Nardin.
The Valjoux 7750 has been a similarly popular movement since its introduction in 1973. It is used as the basis of many chronographs from companies including Baume & Mercier, Breitling, Fortis, Franck Muller, Longines, Minerva, OMEGA, Oris, and Universal Genève.
| Features Based on Watch Model | ||||||||
|
Seamaster Pro Diver (mens) |
Seamaster Pro Diver (titanium) |
Seamaster GMT |
Seamaster 120 (mens) |
Seamaster Chronograph | ||||
| Model Numbers: |
2x3x 2x4x 2x5x 2x6x |
2232.30 2231.80 | 2x34 | 2x0x 2x1x | 2x9x | |||
|
Diameter Official* / Bezel: (See notes below) in millimeters |
Full 39.3/41 Mid 34.8/36 | 39.3/41 | 39.3/41 | 34.8/36 | 39.3/42 | |||
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Thickness in millimeters |
Full 11.5 Mid 11 | 11.8 | 11.8 | 9 | 16.3 | |||
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Weight:** in grams |
SS Full 150 SS Mid 130 |
Full 111 Mid ? | ~167 | ? |
SS 208 Ti ? | |||
| Watch Cases:*** | SS, SS/G, G | Ti, R | SS | SS, SS/G, G | SS, SS/G, G, Ti, TT | |||
| Bracelets/Straps:*** | SS, SS/G, G, L | Ti | SS, R | SS, SS/G, G | SS, SS/G, G, Ti, TT, L | |||
| Bracelet Clasp: |
Pin release, 1" Expansion |
Pin release, 1" Expansion |
1-pin release Hidden clasp |
Pin release, 1" Expansion |
Pin release, 1" Expansion | |||
| Helium Valve: | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | |||
The best features of the Seamaster Professional are:
The possible disadvantages to consider are:
The purpose and function of the helium relief valve is a common point of confusion. It has nothing to do with normal underwater diving. Neither does it have anything to do with the depth rating for a diving watch. Helium does NOT seep into the watch while the watch is in water at any depth!
To put it simply, you can completely ignore the helium relief valve. This feature is not used in any way with any form of normal SCUBA diving or anything else that involves less than a multi-million dollar deep sea exploration project.
For more detail on this, see our article on Water Resistance.
This feature is so exotic that it really exists mostly as a curiosity. It makes the watch look more interesting and have an unique feature that other watchmakers are unlikely to copy.
The diver's extension is a portion of the bracelet clasp that, when popped open, extends the length of the bracelet by 3.1 centimeters (about 1.25 inches). This allows it to instantly change from being sized to fit on your bare wrist to the larger size needed to fit over the sleeve of a wetsuit. While interesting, this is a feature that is of virtually no use to anyone who is not a wetsuit diver. Though it could be used to wear the watch on the outside of an elastic jacket cuff in cold weather.
One critical point to note when operating the diver's extension is to ensure you have closed it properly when done. The small flange on the extension must fit under the crossbar. Failure to close it properly can interfere with the main bracelet clasp--causing the clasp to pop open unexpectedly while you are wearing the watch.
No. The pattern is much more subtle than most photos or jewelry store lighting would have you believe.
The wave pattern on the dial is a distinctive feature of the Seamaster line, so most of the official OMEGA photos you see of these watches go to a lot of effort to highlight the effect. While it points out this distinguishing feature, it also creates a false impression that the pattern is really bold and visually distracting. Similarly, the intense halogen spot lights used in many jewelry stores are designed to make diamonds and shiny metals sparkle dramatically. So they also over emphasize the wave effect.
But outside of the intense light in these two situations, the pattern is pretty subtile -- almost more of a soft texture.
If you have concerns that the patterns might annoy you, please go see the watch at a dealer, away from the obligatory intense halogen spotlights, before making a decision.
Yes. The newer dial design introduced on the GMT and 1998 Pro Diver in Titanium and spread across the Seamaster model line starting in 2000 is easier to read at night than the skeleton hands on the classic 'James Bond' style Seamaster Professional.
But don't discount the older design too quickly. Many people still prefer the skeleton hands and find them still easy to read at night. The greatest limitation of the skeleton hands at night is that they have little to no glowing down the length of the hands -- mainly a round or triangular shape at the end of the hand. This may cause your eyes to take a couple of seconds longer to focus on and identify which shapes are the hands and which are the hour markers before you can tell the time.
On the other hand, a number of people found the large glowing hands of the new design to be too bright and distracting at night. So as with many aspects of these watches, make your own decision based on what suits your taste and needs best.
To give some visual comparison, here is a computer generated illustration comparing how the two dials designs appear at night. Both are reading the same time of 10:10:30.
The prior versions of the Seamaster Professional (1988-1992, known as the 'pre-Bond' versions) did have black dials and black bezels. It resembles the 1993-2000 version enough that the two are sometimes confused.
Later versions, starting with the Seamaster GMT (1998) and Seamaster 'America's Cup' Limited Edition (1999) included black dials with steel or white gold bezels. The black dial resurgence continued with the additional Seamaster Pro models introduced in the 2000 model line including many with black dials accompanied by black, steel, or white gold bezels.
Yet none of the editions that have had black dials or black bezels have had the skeleton hands. So if you see a skeleton hand Seamaster Professional which appears to have a black dial or bezel, then there are only two explanations: you are misperceiving the color, or the watch is one of the counterfeit versions that were made in black -- despite that being an inaccurate reproduction of the original watch. For more detail on counterfeit watches, see the section on Fake and Counterfeit Watches and the Rogues Gallery of Fakes.
Misperceiving the color is not unusual. People can easily mistake the dark navy blue on the 'James Bond' Seamaster Professional Diver for black. This mistake occurs from several simple causes:
Chronocentric would love to provide coverage of every Seamaster model made since they were first introduced in 1948. But the practical reality is that we have neither the time nor the access to resources to research, write articles or obtain photographs of even a small percentage of them. So our primary focus is to cover as much as we can about general OMEGA information and details of recent and current models.
For details of models not covered here, try the Vintage Information section of the official OMEGA website.
The Seamaster Aqua Terra watches have:
The Railmaster watches have:
Yes. And it is somewhat confusing.
The design of the 1957 Railmaster was the inspiration for the Seamaster Aqua Terra series. Though the majority of Aqua Terra models use a dressier approach with their narrow stick hour markers, minimal luminescent surface area and lack of Arabic numerals, OMEGA chose to make a few unique models that use the complete, high-legibility, dial design of the original Railmaster.
However, when the modern Railmaster was first introduced, it was only one style of metal and dial color, available in just two sizes. So it did not merit becoming a whole line of its own. Though it has since become a hit in the market, encouraging OMEGA to add a number of other variations.
 OMEGA Railmaster from 1957 [Image: OMEGA] |
 OMEGA Railmaster from 2003 [Image: OMEGA] |
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| Years: | Introduced 1957 Available through 1962 |
Introduced 2003 Still a current, regular model |
| Case diameter: | ?? | Regular: 38mm or 41mm Oversized: 49.2mm |
| Movement: | OMEGA 284, 285, 286 17 jewels, manual wind |
OMEGA 2403 Coaxial, automatic, chronometer in the 38 & 41mm models or OMEGA 2201 manual-wind with sub-seconds in the 49.2mm model |
| Dial and hands: | Black dial with luminous hour markers and radium luminous hands of "Broad arrow," "Dauphine" or "Stick" type. | Black dial with luminous hour markers and SuperLuminova luminous hands of "Broad arrow" type. |
| Crystal: | Armoured hesalite | Synthetic sapphire |
| Bracelet: | Leather only | Leather with foldover clasp or metal bracelet |
| Water resistance: | 60 meters | 150 meters |
| Case: | Stainless steel with screw-in crown, metal case back | Stainless steel with screw-in crown, sapphire see-thorugh display back |
| Price: | 1960 Retail Price (Switzerland): CHF 285 (About 70 USD back then) | 2004 Retail Price (USA, 38mm on strap): USD 2395 (About 3000 CHF) |
| Special features: | Special thick mat black dial (1 mm vs. typical 0.4 mm) and extra magnetic shielding -- designed specifically for scientists, technicians, electricians and others who work within close distance of powerful electric currents | Sapphire see-through display back, showing off the movement inside. OMEGA Coaxial movement with free-sprung balance (38 and 41mm models only)s, offerring reduced wear and greater stability of operation over long periods of time. |
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