Omega Seamaster VS Rolex Submariner

Which one of these diving watches is better?

There is a time when professional divers look at their equipment and decide it's time for an upgrade. Whenever one is putting their life at risk, one has to weigh the benefits of investing in some heavy-duty gear.

A diving watch is no exception and there are many watches for divers on the market that are worth a look. This article will weigh the pros and cons of choosing from two luxury watch brands that produce the most popular diving watches. 

For the sake of simplicity, let's benchmark the Omega Seamaster VS Rolex Submariner. NOTE: These are both excellent watches but let's see which one is the best watch for you. 

As you can see from the above picture, the Omega Seamaster and the Rolex Submariner are both great looking divers watchesand have a place on your wrist when you're dressed up or dressed down.

For your convenience, you can examine any of these collections in a new window by clicking on the buttons below otherwise proceed with the comparison.

Click to View Seamaster Watches  Click to View Submariner Watches

Rolex Submariner

In terms of prestige, the Rolex brand is, bar none, the most recognizable watch brand out there with almost 100% brand recognition worldwide while Omega watches is closer to 70%.

So as far as which watch is a bigger status symbol, one would have to say that the Omega Seamaster watches fall a little short. Nonetheless, the Omega Seamaster is an excellent watch from a very prestigious brand that also has great value but as a result of the difference in brand recognition, there is about a 30% loss in the resale value and street value on the Omega Seamaster compared to the Rolex Submariner.

Aside from being a COSC certified superlative chronometer, and having a slightly better power reserve, the fluted bezel on the Submariner according to some, has a better grip than the bezel on the Omega Seamaster so there are also some practical advantages to the Rolex Submariner versus the Omega Seamaster.

The model you see here is the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Submariner reference 114060 which has no date function. The Seamaster featured here does. For about a thousand more, you can opt for the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Submariner Date models starting with 116610, 116613, 116618 and 116619 that do have the date function with a Cyclopse magnifier lense.

PROS

Resale Value

Rolex watches generally have a higher resale value than Omega watches but this is not a blanket statement it often depends on the watch

Brand Prestige

Rolex has more brand recall and is a slightly more internationally recognized brand than Omega.

Precision & Accuracy

The Rolex Superlative Chronometer designation means that the precision of the movement is first tested by COSC, and after the movement receives a COSC certification with impressive accuracy and precision of -4/+6 seconds per day.

The movement is then returned to Rolex. Further testing is then conducted by Rolex, in-house while in the watch case until an accuracy of -2/+2 seconds per day is achieved.

However, there are those that believe that only a third party should be responsible for chronometric designations.

Bezel

Some say the "Cherachrom" ceramic bezel on the Submariner is much easier to rotate than the bezel on the Omega Seamaster

Anti-Reflective Coating

The Rolex Submariner, the anti-reflective coating is on the inside which keeps it from being scratched off whereas the A.R. coating on the Seamaster is on the outside of the crystal which can more easily get scratched off over time.

CONS

Style Options

Not nearly as many style options as the Seamaster Diver series shown here

Price Tag

Higher price tag 

There are many reasons to choose either one of these diver's watches. The big question would be that if one is going to have to ask themselves before making a purchase is: "Which features are more valuable to me and also meets my unique needs as a diver?"

You need to be the judge of that.

Here is a side by side comparison of the Omega Seamaster VS Rolex Submariner specifications, features and more.

Brand	Omega	Rolex
Series	Seamaster Diver 300m Co-Axial Master Chronometer 42mm	Oyster Perpetual Submariner
Model #	210.30.42.20.01.001	114060
Size	Men's	Men's
Case Material	Stainless Steel	Stainless Steel
Dial Color	Black	Black
Bracelet/Strap	Stainless Steel	Stainless Steel
Clasp	Push Button Folding Clasp	Folding Clasp with Safety Latch
Movement	Omega Caliber 8800 Uses the new Co-Axial Escapement which contributes to the durability and the precision of the watch as well as how frequent it would require routine maintenance. Co-Axial escapement has less friction and reduces the need for lubricants Tested in 6 different positions Magnetic resistant with an EMF resistance of up to 15,000 gauss / 1.5 Tesla METAS Certified Master Chronometer designation and COSC certified chronometer designation with an impressive -0/+5 seconds per day precision.	Rolex Caliber 3130 The Rolex Caliber 3130 is a Superlative Chronometer. This means that is has passed COSC testing for a standard chronometer designation which provides an accuracy of -4/+6 seconds per day. The movement is then returned to Rolex where it is installed in a watch case and tested further to ensure a minimum accuracy of -2/+2 seconds per day.
Movement Type	Automatic / Master Chronometer	Automatic / Chronometer
Power Reserve	55 hours	48 hours
Jewels in Movement	35 Jewels	31 Jewels
VPH	25,200	28,800
Bezel	Brushed Steel with Black Ceramic Fill Satin-finished steel numbers and indexes Uni-Directional / Rotating	Polished Steel with a Highly Durable Black "Cerachrom" bezel insert. Scratch and corrosion resistant Unaffected by UV rays and won't fade Rimmed with a ribbed edge for enhanced grip Uni-Directional / Rotating
Crystal	Scratch Resistant Sapphire	Scratch Resistant Sapphire
Case Back	Solid	Solid
Water Resistant	300m/1000ft	300m/1000ft
Case Diameter	42mm	40mm
Case Thickness	13.7mm	12.5mm
Warranty	Prestige Time 5 Year Warranty	Prestige Time 5 Year Warranty
	Add to Cart	Add to Cart