Barely ignored and probably within the shadows of the traditional Seamaster Diver 300M, the Planet Ocean is probably the most succesful assortment of dive watches in Omega’s vary, comprising fashions from 600m as much as 6000m water-resistance (with out counting the all-mighty Extremely-Deep that survived the Mariana Trench). Born in 2005, will probably be celebrating its twentieth anniversary this yr, and we are able to probably anticipate a number of surprises coming from Bienne. And the primary one to emerge from the depths is that this unprecedented tackle the highly effective Deep Black assortment, the primary PO to obtain a world time complication. Right here’s the brand-new Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Worldtimer.
The worldtimer perform isn’t new to Omega, which has been utilizing its in-house Calibre 8938 inside the Seamaster Aqua Terra assortment since 2017. In the identical vein, the Seamaster Planet Ocean, regardless of being an ultra-focused dive watch able to withstanding unimaginable depths, additionally had its fair proportion of issues, starting from traditional time-and-date fashions in a number of sizes and supplies, to chronographs, to regatta-inspired fashions, GMT watches or a mix of each dive and journey features. Nevertheless, by no means in its 20 years of existence has the Planet Ocean obtained the complicated Worldtimer motion of Omega.
Now, following the look of the Planet Ocean Deep Black – GMT and dive fashions launched in 2016 – Omega introduces a pair of Seamaster Planet Ocean Worldtimer sharing equivalent dive specs, however with some extra complexity on the dial. As a Planet Ocean ought to, these worldtimer fashions retain the 600m water-resistance of most fashions within the assortment, in addition to the traditional traits of Seamasters – twisted lyre lugs, HEV at 10 o’clock and broad arrow fingers. As with the Deep Black variations, the 2 color schemes are housed in brushed black ceramic zirconium oxyde [ZrO2] circumstances, fitted with a black ceramic bezel that includes a laser-ablated diving scale that’s polished in optimistic reduction. As such, regardless of the extra traveller’s complication, the Planet Ocean Worldtimer can nonetheless be used as a correct dive watch.
Now, we have to discuss in regards to the dimensions… As most of you may know, the traditional time-and-date PO is already fairly a sizeable watch – 43.5mm x 16.1mm. Then, the ceramic Deep Black and Darkish Gray fashions moved issues up once more, with circumstances measured at 45.5mm x 17.4mm because of the addition of the GMT perform. The brand new Planet Ocean Worldtimer, whereas sharing the identical 45.5mm diameter, have a thickness of 18.99mm and a size of 52.4mm. No debate, these are giant watches, however perhaps surprisingly, they’re comparatively comfy on the wrist – so long as you don’t have a thin wrist like mine… The black case tends to really feel visually smaller, and ceramic is comparatively gentle too – the complete watch is 143 grams.
The remainder of the specs are precisely what you’d anticipate from a Seamaster PO, that means a domed sapphire crystal on prime with anti-reflective remedy, a screw-in crown and helium escape valve, each in ceramic with logos in turquoise or gray hybrid ceramic, a NAIAD-lock caseback (at all times appropriately oriented) with sapphire crystal and, as stated, 600m or 2000ft water-resistance.
Transferring to the dial, that is the place issues change probably the most in comparison with all earlier editions of the Seamaster PO. Certain, a number of the traditional traits of the gathering have been revered – fonts, fingers, markers – however there’s rather more happening because of the addition of the worldtimer perform. Ranging from the centre of the dial, we now have a grade 5 titanium base with a world map considered from above the North Pole, with continents and hues with varnish and laser ablation. There’s additionally a 24-hour indication by a clear hesalite alongside the outer part, with black and white sections to mark evening and day.
Then is the hour chapter ring, with a discreet honeycomb sample (once more by laser ablation) in black DLC and enormous utilized markers, that are brushed and crammed with Tremendous-LumiNova. This part additionally contains the date at 6 o’clock. Lastly, the outer part is dedicated to the town ring, in two colors (black and gray or turquoise)… And also you’ll see that the Central Europe Time (or GMT+1) isn’t indicated by Paris (because it normally is) however by Bienne, the hometown of Omega.
The Seamaster Planet Ocean Worldtimer is on the market in two distinct variations:
A mannequin with turquoise accents, that includes brushed, gray PVD-coated fingers and indexes crammed with white Tremendous-LumiNova. This version is worn on a black strap with turquoise stichings
A mannequin with gray varnish, that includes polished, black PVD-coated fingers and indexes crammed with Omega’s new gray Tremendous-LumiNova. This model has a two-tone grey-black strap with gray stitching
Inside, the PO Worldtimer is powered by the identical motion because the Aqua Terra Worldtimer, particularly the Calibre 8938. Manufactured in-house, this motion is Grasp Chronometer-certified by METAS and thus magnetic resistant to fifteen,000 Gauss. It shares its base structure with different 89xx actions, that means two barrels in sequence for a 60-hour energy reserve, a 3.5Hz frequency, a silicon stability spring, a free sprung-balance and a Co-Axial Escapement. Along with the hours-minutes-seconds and the date, it features a worldtimer perform in addition to a sensible time-zone machine for the hour hand – adjusted in one-hour increments. The see-through caseback reveals traditional Omega decorations with Geneva waves in arabesque and blackened screws, barrels and stability wheel.
Worn on an built-in black structured rubber with black or gray rubber lining and turquoise or gray stitching, closed by a foldover clasp in brushed ceramic and ceramised titanium, the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Worldtimer fashions are launched as a part of the everlasting assortment and are priced at EUR 16,300, CHF 14,100 or USD 14,800. For extra particulars, please go to omegawatches.com.
