it's not until you become a watch enthusiast that you realise how narrow doorways are!

Had the same on my Omega Speedy Dark Side of the moon. Even knowing that anti flex coating is not covered by Omega warranty, I went to the Omega Boutique in Zürich and ask for assistance. They took the watch and ask for an offer to repair. After some weeks I got a call the watch is back for pick up and that for zero money! Later on into the Boutique I got surprised as best possible. Omega has not only exchanged the glass no they also done a full service and to believe, they overhand me the little plastic bag with all the parts in it, Omega exchanged!!! Incredible honestly!!! 😜 Since this experience, Omega 4me is on the top of customer oriented brand WW! You get such a good product and service for you money 💰 and the employees are always that friendly - very exited about this brand! Cheers 🥂

The problem is not the scratches, it’s the macro lens. 😉

Benefits of getting older. My eyesight hasn’t picked up any scratches on the AR on my Planet Ocean in 9 years! I’ll live without looking closer to check

I picked up my Seamaster Professional 300m ceramic at the Topanga boutique in the Los Angeles area in 2017. The next day we took the boat out to Catalina Island and snorkeled - and yes, in the crashing waves, I bashed the brand new watch on a rock. I got a pinprick-shaped scratch on the AR coating, visible only from certain angles. But it's a dive watch and I was (sorta) diving - it seemed an appropriate first scratch!

Pauses video, goes directly to watch box and pulls out SMP300, checks crystal. Happily finds no AR scratches. Great video!

I always look to the first bit of damage on any new thing to be a shift into the time where you can really start to have an intimate relationship with the watch, car, etc. It is no longer new or perfect, but yours. You can finally take ownership of it and love it. Let it pick up lumps and let it share your adventures. You wouldnt change your friends and spouse because they pick up a bit of patina.

Happened to my Seamaster too. Just dismissed it and carried on.

I recently completely removed the exterior AR coating on my Breitling Superocean using a Dremel with a felt wheel. It was easy to do and now looks perfect, ridding the watch of the scuffs on the sapphire crystal surface. Tape off the bezel with gaffers tape, razor cut the interface between bezel and crystal, and polish with the wheel rotating from outside to center as to not peel the tape off. It works, no bullshit. The sapphire holds up to the felt no problem. Use some ultra fine polishing compound if the coating proves stubborn. Worst case scenario, it goes back for a new crystal, which it needed anyway. Cheers.

Not gonna lie, it kinda feels cool to see the watch you have on your wrist on a video :) Great content mate! By the way that strap looks great on this watch!!!

I have the same issue with my Planet Ocean. I have thought about removing it but I love the way the crystal disappears when I look at the dial; It is amazing. I am undecided. Thank you for talking about this problem Adrian😊👍

Have to admit.... didn’t even know about the AR coating so this was an excellent and informative video. Thank You and great job!

The only way for AR coating to work effectively and provide the amazing invisible look, is for it to be applied on both sides. It’s always been this way. The watches I miss most had this, the look is unrivalled, and once you’ve owned one, it’s hard to go back. But as per the vid, a compromise has to made to achieve it. Unfortunately crystals will now be a permanent issue for you, as they will either underperform and never let a dial look truly incredible in so many lighting situations OR get fine marks on that amazing coating! Many have gone through is, welcome to the club!

I just noticed the same type of scratches on my black seamaster two days ago. Only had it since February. Happy to see this video because I was puzzled by the scratches until now. I’m typically not very hard on my watches so this puts my mind at ease haha.

I noticed the same thing on one of my omegas in the past. It bothered me at first, but in the end I actually ended up appreciating the double sided AR more over time because I always had such a crisp/clear view of the dial. My Rolexes all tend to glare and are consistently harder to photograph as well.

Definitely worth discussing. I've always thought internal only is the way to go. This would not keep me from buying though.. I'd also let it slide. Just a bit surprised Omega didn't preemptively address this.

I work in the optics industry. To me this doesn’t look like scratches but more that the AR coating has “crazed”. This usually happens in exposure to heat or certain chemicals.

This was even more of a problem with the blue AR coating, scratches were very noticeable, Omega went to clear and supposedly harder wearing AR coating and it’s just as bad, if not worse but harder to see, it’s double coated on the inside and out, it works beautifully but I would prefer a bit more reflection and just have the AR coating on the inside.

Great talk. I had the same problem on my Breitling superocean, but mine was worse it started peeling. So I took it off. I tape off the bezel and use a hand held battery operated buffer put a little red rouse on the bezel and buffed it totally off. Then I took a polisher white rouse and polished the crystal when I got done it had a showroom finish. That's how I got rid of the AR coating.

Afterthought: my favorite thing about this video is seeing the Explorer on your wrist. I love that you love the 36. Looks great.

quality pictures showing the scratches, thank you for sharing

I have worn my 2018 SMP 300m every day for the last year, and I see no such scratches. I wonder if this is a small problem that doesn't occur for most people.

Stoked for up coming videos with new watches!!

A very valid video , my 1999 sea master has had a lot of wear and shows no signs of glass marks because it does have AR coating . I feel this takes away the improvements made on the watches , and it’s not just an Omega problem when you put a softer coating on a super hard surface

Adrian can literally make a video about anything! Keep up the great work brother!

Hi Adrian, I must one of those guys who actually works offshore on deep sea tankers and offshore rigs and I use my PO Omega all the time - no issues at all atleast to the naked eye. I think you should raise this with Omega via the AD

On my Plant Ocean 2008(ish) model the outer AR would damage very easily, and had a blue tint. The blue hue combined with scratches would make the crystal appear oily, which wasn’t a good look. It was replaced at service but I was >this< close to taking a cape cod to it. I’m glad I didn’t because naturally I would have cocked it up royally. But it does work with a bit of elbow grease apparently. I’d probably consider it if the coating got scuffed so bad as to be seen with the naked eye.

It’s so strange how I watched your videos for so many months in saving for a Seamaster PO 39.5mm or 42mm. When I went to the AD I tried on PO, the 1957 heritage, and the SMP 300m with the white and black dials. The SMP 300m with the white dial spoke to me the most. The others sat too high on the wrist for me and the 42mm really is the sweet spot. Maybe a 41mm but regardless trying them on made the difference. I highly recommend this to anyone that’s about to pull the trigger.

AR coating on the outside of a sapphire is just dumb. Seiko only applies it on the inside of the crystal.

The reason to coat both sides of the crystal is because even with scratches, the 2x crystal on your Omega is still more transparent than the 1x crystal of your Rolex, in 95% of lighting situations. The double AR is still a feature, not a bug. I have an older 2500 SMP and the outer coating was scratched quite noticeably after 2 months of wearing by my wife (I previously wore it for a couple of years with no marks on it..). When I started to wear the watch again I said to myself that when I cannot stand the scratches anymore, I will just rub them off with Polywatch. Which is what I ended up doing about a year later (but it was more out of curiosity than hating the scratches). Removing the outer AR was easy (especially when you have a ceramic bezel that you don't have to worry about scratching. Now I have the "amazing" Rolex look on my lowly SMP. :-)

I found several scratches on my IWC Spitfire too It confuses me till this video was uploaded Thank you so much for the video 👍

Thanks for making us aware, like you I knew it would scratch up but not in so short a time! I'd leave it as is now you can't notice it and I'd be scared of ballsing it up totally and having to replace the glass, which you can do when it becomes noticeable and starts to annoy you. Great channel btw.

This is why Omega is now only applying anti reflective coating on the underside, the new 300MC being the example of the new style of crystal.

My thoughts and wonder too. That’s only making a scratchproof glass to scratch prone.

As soon as I see it happening on my black dial one i'll remove the whole ar coating, so far nothing, and the view of the dial on sunlight is something crazy, there is no crystal. Great video

Just echoing what most have said... yeah that’s why you put the AR coating underneath the crystal and not above it... 👍🏻 Great vid as always!

Hi Adrian! Thanks for your interesting and professional content. I‘ve had a single scratch in my PO back in 2009. I‘ve bought it 2nd hand but only three months old. I watch dealer has sent it to Omega and I‘ve got a new crystal for free. The last 12 years my crystal is absolutely perfect. Maybe your scratches are a production failure and not normal? Kind Regards

The scratches were the reason you got the 20% off sticker price

Its great your video confirmed this AR issue I keep hearing with Omega or at the least many wanted to remove it for a number of reasons including what you have showned. I have even heard that perfume spray will remove / smug it. Perhaps Omega should consider what SInn has done by hardeneing the AR coating.

I've noticed the same on mine, and I've had it for over a year. I still love it the same as I got it the first day, but I do agree with all the points you've hit.

I really appreciate you posting this video. I was going to buy the two tone blue constellation 41mm. After watching this, I'm holding off. It's an awful lot of money to spend to be disappointed. I can't believe they would put this product out without any longevity.

I am permanently worried about hitting my submariner against a brick wall 😳

Ah, good ol’ tool watch.. Bring on the character! Not a fan of exterior ARC but it is a thing. Beautiful piece though. After seeing the white dial, I think I need one now..thanks all lot Adrian!

I talk about this during my Grand Seiko SBGR317 review. No AR on the outside is, imo, the right call. AR on the outside helps to sell you on a watch in the store but it prematurely ages it. The main issue, in practice, is actually photography and video, where no outside AR makes getting that perfect pic harder. AR on the underside is plenty for naked-eye viewing.

You’ve just got me so hyped for Watches and Wonders!

Well I guess I'm not going to take macro shots of my new SMP300 and live a life of ignorance.

100% agree, Adrian. It's why my Seamaster Planet Ocean that I currently have in for service after 10 years of use is getting a new crystal in addition to the service. THe microscratches were bothering me so I agreed to pay the extra for replacement but I really think Omega need to just double coat the underside of the crystal or find a tougher coating.

I very much appreciate you pointing this out as I am presently saving to purchase this watch…I want to buy it above my other considerations Primarily because of the dial. The thought of looking down at that beautiful dial, through scratches in the anti-reflective coating, makes me take pause.

Being a high profile fella like yourself who helps basically promote omega even if it is unintentionally I rekon they might be happy to help...Garry and Alan in the omega boutique Glasgow are helpful guys

personally, and this is just my preference, I would not mind the scratches at all. though I prefer vintage looks and I welcome any form of patina as long as it isn't faux. I get excited when I find a new scratch on my watch, to me those are what make it mine.

I 100% get it and understand what you're saying. I'd be interested to see how much it would be to get it fixed. You should do a follow up a video.

It's great that you pointed this out to people so they can decide if they want a watch with an AR coating or not, but the length of time you've had it is largely irrelevant, the scratches aren't from age related wear, it must have taken a knock on something, which could happen after 10 years or 10 days. Personally, I find that my slim watches (sub 10mm) never get knocked but the chunkier ones do far more regularly, it's one of the reasons I find myself drawn to thinner watches and now have a Bvlgari Octo Finissimo firmly in my sights.

I much prefer the coating on both the top and bottom of the crystal. That's how you get that beautiful disappearing crystal effect. I tend to be very careful with my watches and have been able to avoid major scratches. My understanding is that it's not too difficult to remove the AR coating from the top of the crystal if that's your preference, but I have never tried it so I guess I cannot be sure of that.

20% off doesn't mean the watch should only perform at 80%.

Thank you for raising this issue. This Seamaster was on my to buy list, not anymore. I wonder witch other watches have this 'issue', Lange have strong AR coating, not sure if only on inside or both sides. Really love your channel, great content, your opinions are so close to mine; that James Bond Seamaster, so close to perfection yet so far.

What you have shown in this video, the macro shots, is just enough to bothet me, but unless visible with naked eye it's nothing I would try to "fix". You know it's there, but it's not interfeering with your everyday experience. So lesson learned concerning crystals and their AR coating and happily carry on. PS: I plan to buy 300m in near future and this vid just managed my expectations, it does not put me off. PS2: And btw thanks for the vid! I appreciate that you took your time with the watch and came back to report honestly about good and like in this case also the bad.

I can't see any scratches on mine with my bare eyes. That's good enough for me.

0:55 can I buy the bark & jack compressed air? is the air from le locle or eric ku's body wind?

Thanks Adrian, this video is really good and informative especially for those who are planning to buy a new Seamaster.....

Really interesting topic. Good to know and will definitely consider for future purchases.

I had this exact same issue with my Planet Ocean. I used some polish (like polywatch) along with my Dremel. It was pretty scary, but it turned out awesome. I used the softest pad and made sure to sand down the metal screw (that attaches to the Dremel and screws into the pad) to make sure it wouldn't pop out the other side while I was polishing the crystal. I spent several minutes with the tool on the slow setting. The AR coating was totally removed and I could not be happier. It works so well that I will do the same thing if I ever purchase another Omega. I really dislike AR on the exposed side of the crystal.

Don't worry mate, this are marks of a journey. Enjoy it in good health!

Omega's AR treatment certainly does a better job at eliminating glare and reflection. Yes the topside AR may scratch but on this white dial it's too hard to care! It'd probably be more visible on black/darker dials but you can always polish that off if it bothers you that much. I personally like having the option.

Putting the AR coating outside is actually pretty stupid, beats the whole point of using sapphire crystals.

Defeats the point of a sapphire crystal having AR coating on the outside. Great video!

I've been wearing my SMP atleast 3 times a week for the last 2 years and have none of these scratches. Neither do any of my collector friends.

I had a PO 2201.50 which also showed signs of AR coating scratch. I had a similar feeling about it. Eventually I applied poly watch. The coating came off well with a bit of elbow grease and didn't damage the watch. It did give the watch a slightly different look as the blue-ish tint was removed but it didn't affect the performance in any way, in fact I'd argue it felt more like a tool watch. I wouldn't be overly concerned about the outcome but I would be a little peeved that it's happened in such a short time frame.

I regard the crystal on my Omega or any other watch as a consumable item. Over time and depending on use, it will be replaced sooner or later. AR coating on a crystal is part of its tool function so stands to reason it will get used (up). Do enjoy your vids.

I feel like seiko owners will be like “At least the bezel lines up”

ive had mine for coming on 8 months and have no marks on the AR coating. its strange its happened on yours.

I feel your response too. I’m a Omega 300M diver fan. I have your watch only with the black dial on a black rubber strap. My watch crystal us doing the same thing and I wear it daily and purchased it January 2021. I’m delighted with all the new changes in the material used to create a durable watch. However I too was dissatisfied with my scratches on my dial that I see in the sun light during my daytime wearing of this watch. It’s very noticeable and I wished it was a better coated material or none at all. With that said I do admit I admire the look of see right through the crystal as though it doesn’t exist in certain lighting conditions. That’s an awesome feature for sure. It’s my second Omega 300M and my first one did the exact same thing. With all the modern improvements made to this version I would have feeling better about my new watch. I’m not unhappy with my purchase as the rest of the watch is a tank of a watch and very durable. It’s one of the best daily wearing watches out there. This watch is loaded with watchmaker finesse and a very good looking watch. Thank you for sharing your thoughts , passion and Enthusiasm for watches. To those interested in buying an omega watch don’t let this keep you from making that purchase. Let’s all hope and pray that Omega can produce a better anti-reflective coating.

Wow quite abit of scratching there, i have a breitling SO with AR on both sides have worn it daily for 3 years and its fairing better. Id love a seamaster one day i dont think id be put off, with purchasing one. Love the channel btw. Happy Easter

I would give poly watch a shot. I am pretty sure it won't make it worse. If you do take the risk, a follow up video of how it turned out would be great.

I’ve used polywatch to polish off the AR coating and it works perfectly. It does take some patience but it will come off

I have 3 rado and 1 omega with AR on both sides. I am very careful and therefore, none of them had even the slightest mark on their crystal's AR. But that's also because I've already read about people talking about the AR being easy to scratch. So I had been very careful with the watches.

I agree. With your assessment about the AR coating on top. I also purchased the same one. Even though mine hasn't been affected. I appreciate more my Rolexes that only have the AR on the inside the sapphire crystal. On December 31st 2020 I purchase a few other Rolexes. One of them is a Submariner 126610LN with double-coated AR. My concern now with these newer Rolexmodels are the cuff wear from my dress shirts and my suits. It will cause it to rub or scratch against the sapphire crystal now.

The AR on the top side of the crystal actually made me sell my Sinn. It behaved pretty odd, every smudge was extremely visible on it and the scratches also started to pile up immediately. I say just put the AR on the bottom side and let the sapphire do its thing.

So glad you did this video. The anti glare coating is what ruins glasses in a very short time and the main reason I’ve stayed away from omega. Thank you for confirming my suspicions. Sucks, cause I love omega.

I love everything about Omega. Im itching really bad to get my hands on one, but this issue right here is why im hesitant because i use all my watches as do everything everywhere kind of situations. I believe their Heritage Seamasters only have Ar-coating on the inside though.

The best is only AR on the inside! In the past I had same with a Mido and the AD polished it for me away on the outside and I was happy again 😊

Hi Adrian! I have several Omega’s for years now. AR can be scratched eventually but not this way. My eyes are strong, I like to check wear and tear and I would notice such scratches so early. It seems to me that your watch crystal gets its scratches from something metallic and basicly all time when you wear it. Maybe you have a jacket with something metallic at its sleeves e.g.: button or zipper? Or your pockets have a zipper? I think you should check your garment! Great vids as always though!

My dad's a watchsmith and he's told that he regularly buffs the AR coating off the Omega crystals because it is so easily scratched.

Hey Adrian, I bought a second hand Sinn 556A 18 months ago and it’s outer AR coating was significantly scratched up. From straight on the crystal looked perfect but at an angle to the light the scratches were obvious. I removed the outer coating with polywatch and now the crystal looks perfect from every angle. The AR coating on the underside is perfect. The only downside is that the crystal no longer disappears like it does with AR on both sides but it’s still as good as any of my other watches. Go for it mate or it will annoy the crap out of you forever. 👍🏼

I did not buy Sinn 556 because I knew that he has anti-reflective coating ON the sapphire . I knew it would end badly. I bought instead of this Seiko SPB117 for the half of the price and im glad I did. :) Love the content.

I got my omega diver since 3 years. No scratches on the crystal whatsovever. And I love the clarity of the crystal.

I think it is a question how you treat your Watch...i think there are other Examples where the AR coating on the crystal is completely fine after a few months

I think Breitling does that too, AR on both sides of the crystal. It's on my Aerospace Avantage, but it still looks pristine. I bought the watch used and it had a scratch on the AR coating from the previous owner. I sent it in a couple of years ago to Breitling for a battery change and full service; it included a new crystal. I think it's helped on that watch that the crystal is flat and low profile under the rider tabs. I'm one of those guys whose pretty careful with watches, so it's looking great so far. I think it's just something to keep in mind when considering a brand or model.

I wouldn't worry about it, matey. In another 3 days from now there may just be a brand new offering from a certain _other_ watch brand - something else with white dial and black ceramic bezel. And you may just be trading up? :-P

This happened on my tag. Drove me nuts every time I looked at it.

Had the same issues on my aqua terra 150m, used Polywatch to take this stuff off. Very happyy now...

I just bought a storm grey nato from you, can’t wait to use it with my watches!!

friend, everyone in a community knows that outer AR coating scratches immediately... The only option is to choose watches only with inner one .

Honestly I'd get the coating removed on the exterior, then it's good pretty much forever.

I removed the AR coating on my Breitling, or what was left of it after some bum gave it a polish before I got it. It was a very quick procedure and I used Autosol. I would probably just keep using it until the coating got really worn and then remove it. The good thing is that these are coated on the inside too as you said. So it totally works, take Panerai for example, they only put it on the inside and I've never had any issues with mine

I have the SMPO for a year and one month now and 2 weeks ago I noticed a scratch on the crystal (12 o'clock). I searched online and saw that it was not an uncommon issue. I am not dissappointed with my choice but I wish they didn't use AR coating on the outer of the crystal. In conclusion, excellent watch, you can actually buy it at retail, spec beast (kicks most Rolexes butts), 100% would buy again!

I noticed the same thing on my tag after a couple years of wear it was pretty much gone now I see why Rolex doesn’t even bother to use it on their crystals

All clear here, Captain. No scratches!

Thank you for this! And you absolutely nailed it: it definitely IS something people need to know about and be aware of! Thank you for this video! You freaking rock, A! ❤👏

I have polished off ARC on many watches including two IWC. Very easy to do but daunting when you first attempt. I use the finest micro mesh polishing cloth.

I think the scratches are from the metal keepers of the Bark & Jack NATO strap (just kidding).