VS Factory Omega Seamaster Diver 300M 210.32.42.20.06.001 Blue Bezel Grey Dial Rubber Strap Super Clone

VS Factory Omega Seamaster 300 Rubber Strap Review | 210.32.42.20.06.001 Super Clone

So VS Factory finally dropped the rubber strap version of the Seamaster 300. About time. For the longest time this ref only came in steel bracelet or NATO, and the rubber option was just... missing. The gen has had it for a while now, even got a refreshed design recently that looks killer. Worth noting — VS is only doing the steel case so far. No titanium or anything like that.

I got all three colorways on hand, so let's break down what's good, what's not, and whether this strap is actually worth the hype.

What's In the Box

Standard VS factory packaging. You get the hang tag plus a red warranty booklet, one-watch-one-code system. Though let's be real — plenty of those codes are recycled across units. It is what it is. Nobody's buying a rep for the paperwork.

The Bezel — Enamel White Fill Done Right

This is where VS pulls ahead. The ceramic bezel insert has that slightly warm, off-white fill that nails the gen's enamel look. It's not grey, not pure white — it's that specific creamy tone Omega uses. Dead on.

OM factory? Theirs leans grey. You can tell side by side.

Bezel action is decent but not perfect. The gen has this super stiff click rotation, almost feels like it doesn't want to move. VS does rotate, just a touch scratchy sounding and not as buttery smooth. Functional, just not 1:1 feel-wise.

One more thing on the case — the HEV (helium escape valve). On OM's version you can spot the red gasket peeking out. VS matches the gen here, gasket stays hidden. Small detail, but it matters when someone who knows what to look for gives your wrist a glance.

Three Dials: Black, Blue, Grey

VS dropped three configs for the rubber strap release:

Black dial, black bezel — the classic. You already know what this looks like. Safe pick, goes with everything.

Blue dial — color match is tight. Barely any delta from gen under normal lighting.

Grey dial (ref 210.32.42.20.06.001) — this is the one I'm focusing on here. Virtually zero color deviation. The sunburst finishing on the dial catches light beautifully, lots of depth. VS really nailed the finishing on this particular colorway.

The grey dial version comes with blue applied indices and blued steel hands. Look at the hands from the side and you won't see any of that rough paint edge some reps have — the finishing is clean. Also the date window on the grey has a grey date wheel background. Correct to gen. Nice touch.

Case and Lugs

Stainless steel case. The brushing on the lugs is genuinely impressive — long consistent strokes, no swirl marks. This is one area VS consistently delivers on across their lineup.

The HEV at 10 o'clock has the correct conical shape. It does screw in and out. But — and this needs to be said — it's purely decorative. No actual helium release function. The gen's HEV is operational for saturation diving decompression, letting trapped helium escape on ascent from 300m. VS's version just looks the part. You can unscrew it, screw it back. That's about it.

Crown operation: screw down, then unscrew counterclockwise and pull. Position 1 is date, position 2 is time. The date quickset works just like gen — snap change, not the slow hour-hand-driven type you see on the Seamaster 600 or Planet Ocean 150. Pro tip: avoid adjusting the date when the hands are between 10 and 2, same rule as any quickset movement. Saves you a headache down the road.

The date window sits at a reasonable depth. Slight concavity if you look closely but nothing like OM factory where the date cutout gap is super obvious from the side. VS handles this better.

Movement: Decorated Clone 8800 — Why Not a One-Piece?

Here's where it gets interesting. The Seamaster 300 is actually the only watch in VS Factory's entire catalog that uses a decorated movement instead of their integrated (one-piece) clone calibers. People always ask why.

Two reasons. Both legit.

Quickset date function. The gen 8800 caliber evolved from the old cal. 2500, which was itself based on the ETA 2892 platform. It has a true quickset date — pull to position 1, snap the date forward. VS uses an ETA 2824 base under the plates, which also does quickset. The catch? Date advances in the opposite direction from gen. Upward on VS, downward on gen. Time-setting direction matches though. Not a dealbreaker for daily wear, just something to know.

Balance wheel position. This is the real reason. Gen 8800 has its balance wheel at 12 o'clock. VS's integrated clone movements (the 8500/8900 series clones) put the balance at 6 o'clock. Dead giveaway through the display caseback. By using a decorated movement, VS gets the balance wheel sitting at 12 — matching gen. Through the caseback, it reads correct.

The new version runs a black balance wheel. The regulator is a free-sprung style visually — you see a single stud on top, looks like no-index. But that's actually the decoration plate. The real adjustment screws with +/- markings are hidden underneath. Clever engineering.

Caseback engravings: "8800" stamp, Omega logo stamp, both present. The decorative rotor and bridges have solid finishing — good luster on the plates. Geneva stripes aren't going to fool a watchmaker with a loupe, but at arm's length through the sapphire? It works.

Serial numbers check out too — four codes plus one on the case, matching the booklet. Edge of the caseback has additional serialization. All cross-reference correctly to verify VS production.

One thing about decorated movements: the visible gears are cosmetic. They don't spin when you wind the crown. That's just how plate-over-base construction works. If it bothers you, you probably already know that going in.

Swap option: you can drop in a Seagull R80 ETA clone underneath the plates if you want better long-term reliability. Doesn't affect the visual presentation at all since the decorated top plate stays in place.

The Rubber Strap — This Is Why You're Here

OK so the strap. First thing you notice picking it up: it's soft. Like, genuinely supple. Not that stiff cheap rubber feel some factories ship. It wraps around the wrist naturally, follows the curve without fighting it. The end links sit flush against the case — tight tolerances, no wobble, no gaps.

Looks simple at a glance but the surface work is actually pretty layered:

• Raised ridges run along both edges of the strap
• Four fine brushed lines down the center channel
• Polished bevels on the outer borders — gives it this almost chrome-like sheen under light
• Interior has a matte finish with anti-slip texture, feels grippy on skin
• Decent moisture management for summer wear, won't leave your wrist swimming in sweat

Flip it over. The backside printing — Omega branding, sizing marks — is deep-stamped, not surface printed. Legit looking. The overall fit and finish on this strap genuinely surprised me. It's a step above what I expected for a rep rubber strap.

The Tang Buckle — Don't Sleep On It

Yeah it's a pin buckle. Nothing fancy. But look closer.

The face is polished to a high shine with a strong three-dimensional profile. Sides alternate between brushed and polished sections — the transition lines are crisp and deliberate. Inside the buckle the Omega logo area has its own brushed texture with the logo itself polished smooth. Layered finishing on a piece this small. Nice.

Back side stampings are deep. Edges are chamfered — you can run your finger along every border and it's smooth. No sharp catches anywhere. The overall effect matches what you'd see on the gen buckle.

The downside of a tang buckle on a 42mm diver? Weight. The Seamaster 300 isn't light, and with a pin buckle you're one fumble away from watching it hit the floor. That's not a VS problem — gen uses the same buckle design. Just be mindful when you're putting it on or taking it off. Some guys hate pin buckles for exactly this reason.

Where It Falls Short — Hands

Gotta keep it honest. The grey dial looks fantastic overall. Ceramic dial material gives great depth and the crystal is super clear. But zoom in on the silver hands and you'll catch some rough edges. Slight burring along the hand borders, visible under magnification. MKS factory's Seamaster 300 had the same issue. VS hasn't fully solved it either.

At normal viewing distance? Can't see it. Won't notice on wrist. But if you're the type to inspect with a loupe — yeah, it's there.

Everything else on the dial holds up well. Center post finishing is clean, the red tip on the seconds hand is good, lume application looks even and the 12 o'clock lume pip is nicely centered.

Why the Ceramic Bezel Won't Fade

Quick note on the bezel construction since people ask about long-term wear. VS cuts a channel into the ceramic insert and fills it with the enamel-white material. The fill sits nearly flush — you can barely feel a lip if you drag your nail across it, but visually there's no gap.

Why this matters: no gap means no channel for dirt, oils, or debris to settle into. Which means the white markings won't darken or flake over time. It's the same principle as gen. The bezel should hold up well with regular wear and cleaning.

Bottom Line

The VS Factory Omega Seamaster 300 210.32.42.20.06.001 in rubber strap is a solid release. The bezel enamel, dial color accuracy, and decorated caseback all land where they should. And this rubber strap — the comfort, the finishing details, the buckle quality — it's legitimately top tier for a rep.

If steel bracelet weight has been keeping you from pulling the trigger on a Seamaster 300, the rubber option fixes that. Just watch your grip with the tang buckle.

Hit me up if you have questions on this ref. Always happy to talk Seamaster.