Hands-On With The New Synchron Ti300M Poseidon I Limited Edition
Today has been a long time coming because the new Synchron Ti300M Poseidon I Limited Edition has been on my wrist for over a month! During that period, I’ve been able to put the watch through its paces, and I’m pleased to say that it’s a great option for anyone in the market for a new dive watch. Yes, this is the latest release from Rick Marei’s revitalized brand, and it’s damn good!
At the beginning of the year, Synchron introduced the Sealab Ti300M, an ode to the well-known Doxa 300T. However, as the name indicates, there’s a massive, or not so massive, difference because the watch is crafted in titanium. Due to tight timing, I wasn’t able to get my hands on that piece, and now that they’re almost sold out, it was time for the next model. Let’s welcome the Ti300M Poseidon and take a hands-on tour.
The Synchron Ti300M Poseidon I Limited Edition — what’s in a name?
Before we dive into the specs and details, let’s spend a moment on the name of this watch. In 2023, Rick forged an official relationship with Swedish dive equipment company Poseidon. As a result, two different pieces were released that year using 42mm by 45mm stainless steel cases with thicknesses of 14mm. They’re awesome watches with vibrant dials and funky hands. Honestly, I still get a kick out of wearing them. Plus, they feature the Poseidon logo on the dial, which is a nod to the 70s when Doxa 300 T’s often featured US Divers Co logos on the dials. And yes, during part of that era, the original Synchron owned Doxa. Today’s new Ti300M Poseidon brings the familiar fish and trident logo back to the dial, and because it is the first model, we can probably expect other editions in the future. Awesome stuff!
The nitty gritty
From a distance, the new Ti300M Poseidon is a dead ringer for a Doxa 300T Divingstar, but on closer inspection, there are meaningful differences. Firstly, the case has a different hue. We can credit the use of Grade 5 titanium for the case, case back, “no-deco” rotating bezel, and crown. These lightweight components contribute to a brain-twisting total weight of just 50 grams. Yes, the mind can hardly fathom the reduced heft after handling so many pieces like this, but in steel.
Regarding the dimensions, there’s another big change afoot. The 41mm by 45mm dimensions are within earshot of the classic steel case. It’s the 11.9mm overall height that makes a huge difference. Whether it was a Doxa or a Synchron, the steel versions were always brutish, in the best way, on the wrist. The new Ti300M Poseidon definitely won’t moonlight as a dress watch, but it has no problem ducking in and out from under a cuff. The bottom line is that there’s a massive increase in wearability.
A familiar dial sans aged lume
Aside from the dial tone and Poseidon logo, the dial design is spot on with the orange Sealab. This translates to applied, polished metal indices with stripes of greenish white Super-LumiNova X1. That’s right, there are no retro cues on this watch. The hands also sport the same luminous material and go with the expected, almost comically small hour hand, large minute hand, and sweep hand with a rectangular pip. A black-on-white date wheel takes up residence at three o’clock. Printed black details match a black ink-filled external bezel, which shows its depth markers in feet.
A real dive watch
In addition to the well-known bezel design, the Ti300M Poseidon has a flat sapphire crystal with three layers of anti-reflective coating. Look, I find photography to be a chore, but watches like this are a dream to shoot because of their construction. A screw-down crown (smooth and much better than the earliest Synchron watches) and screw-in solid titanium case back support the 300 meter depth rating.
The Ti300M Poseidon uses a high-grade La Joux-Perret
Underneath the hatch, the Ti300M Poseidon uses the La Joux-Perret G100 automatic. Something I really appreciate is the use of a Soigné grade caliber. This is La Joux-Perret’s top offering, which means ±7 seconds of accuracy per day. Indeed, it has been adjusted to four positions, runs at 28,800 vph, and has a 60-hour power reserve. Table stakes niceties such as hacking and a quick set date are included.
So, what’s it like on the wrist?
With crowd-pleasing case measurements and lightweight construction, the Ti300M Poseidon is a dream on the wrist. I took delivery of the watch while I was on vacation in Florida, so it was the perfect accompaniment. I spent time in the ocean, in the pool, and moseying around in the heat. It was great and felt like I was wearing nothing.
As for the strap, the watch came with a 20mm yellow Tropic strap and a stainless steel pin buckle. I wore that in the USA, but switched it out for a black version once I returned home to the UK. For my tastes, it’s a little quieter and more versatile, but it looks and feels great no matter the choice.
Pricing, availability, and final thoughts
Synchron will make 500 numbered pieces of the Ti300M Poseidon. The first 100 will ship during the second half of May, and the remainder will be delivered in October. The watches can be ordered on the brand’s website for $1,290, and at some point, the price will increase to $1,490. At this price, it’s hard to find fault. The construction is on a par with anything in this price range, and the overall result is so wearable. It’s a great release, and I’d highly recommend checking one out if the dial color is to your liking.
