WATCH TO WATCH

Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean “Big Blue”


While Omega’s biggest news at this year’s Baselworld was the 60th anniversary of its Speedmaster collection, the brand also introduced several interesting pieces in its other watch families. One of the most notable is this week’s Watch to Watch: the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean “Deep Blue,” a GMT-equipped divers’ watch with a case milled from a single block of blue ceramic.

Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Big Blue - reclining
The Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean “Big Blue” features the collection’s hallmark orange-and-blue color scheme.

Omega says that the new watch is inspired by the success of last year’s Planet Ocean “Deep Black” editions, which were the first ceramic-cased divers’ watches built to be water-resistant to 600 meters. The “Deep Blue” model is the first Omega watch with a case, and a dial, made entirely of blue ceramic. As orange and blue are considered by Omega to be the signature colors of the Planet Ocean series, orange highlights abound: a 24-hour GMT scale surrounds the dial; the first 15-minute-sector of the 60-minute diving scale on the rotating divers’ bezel is made from a blend of orange rubber and ceramic; and orange rubber injections have been used to create the Omega logo on the crown and the “He” symbol on the helium-release valve at 10 o’clock. The central GMT hand and the applied numerals at 12, 6, and 9 o’clock are also in blue’s complementary color. The hour hand, minute hand, and applied hour indices are in 18k white gold. The numerals on the bezel’s diving scale are made of LiquidMetal, a material used frequently in Planet Ocean watches.

Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean "Deep Blue" - front
The case, bezel, and dial are made from a single block of blue ceramic.

The 45.5-mm ceramic case of the Planet Ocean “Big Blue” is pressed into shape from a special zirconium-based powder, with the blue pigmentation added at this early stage. Afterward it is heated to temperatures reaching 1,400º Celsius in a sintering process, making it extra hard and scratch-resistant. Diamond-equipped tools are then used to define the edges and grooves, after which the case is lubricated and cooled by high-pressure oil solutions. Finally, a three-hour plasma treatment in a 20,000º C furnace prepares the case for its precision laser engraving.  The resulting case is six times harder than steel and never scratches, discolors, or fades.

The screw-down caseback, with its familiar Seamaster alveol pattern, is equipped with Omega’s patented Naiad Lock, which ensures that the engraved text around the big sapphire window remains in readable position. On display through that caseback window is Omega Master Chronometer Caliber 8906, an automatic movement with a co-axial escapement and a 60-hour power reserve that powers the timekeeping, GMT function, and date indication at the 3 o’clock position. Like all Master Chronometer movements, it has passed eight rigorous tests set by METAS, the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology (for more on that battery of tests, click here), ensuring a high level of endurance, precision, and resistance to magnetic fields.

Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean "Big Blue" - back
The movement is Omega’s co-axial Master Chronometer Caliber 8906.

The Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean “Big Blue” comes on a blue rubber strap with orange contrast stitching and orange edges; the foldover clasp, like the case, is made of blue ceramic. As with many of its recent releases, Omega is offering a four-year warranty on the watch. Priced at $11,700, the watch will be available at retail in December. Scroll down for live shots of the “Big Blue” that we snapped during Baselworld.

Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Big Blue - standing
Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Big Blue - CU
Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Big Blue - HE valve
Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Big Blue - movement
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  1. Matthew

    This timepiece with an array of technological advances looks great. It has a lot of spunk.

    Reply
  2. Christopher Tshabalala

    I am a big fan of omega since at a young age but this omega blue rubber strap is something else worth appreciating. It really a timepiece in a class of its own. Wow, what a watch you can’t just ignore. This is where we separate the men from the boys. My imagination runs wild right now it’s as if I am wearing this timepiece. Omega has outdone itself on this one.

    Reply
  3. Lovely timepiece beautiful colour and automatic with leather strap love to own this timepiece

    Reply
  4. Ian Woollard

    This watch looks great,I love the youthful and sporty colour combination. I’m considering a Planet Ocean 43.5m master coaxial in stainless steel as it suits my taste and needs more but the Big Blue is very cool. Perfect for a young person and diving. The use of materials and technology is another strong selling point as it is for the whole Planet Ocean range

    Reply
  5. Vicente Evidente Jr.

    Great looking watch!! Looking forward to it in December 2017!

    Reply
  6. George Joannou

    Hi Mark
    Great write up of an amazing divers watch. Omega have really set the bar very high in terms of innovative technological breakthroughs. This watch is the total package, if I had the money and could afford one I would be so tempted to buy one but for one small chink in its armour. You have an amazing movement with the 8906 and the ceramic case and bezel are virtually scratch resistant but why on Earth would you put AR coating on the outside saphire crystal where it can easily scratch. Make no mistake this is a big watch and will wear high on your wrist it will be prone to knocks and scrapes and you can bet your last dollar the AR coating will scratch. OUCH ! Better to have a thick AR coating on the inside of the crystal with a matte finish dial to reduce glare rather than a very vulnerable AR coating on the outside. This has to be this watch’s Archilles Heel. Such a shame . In fact but for that one flaw I would put this watch on my most wanted list.

    Reply
  7. Dr. Noel F. Woods

    Omega needs to show some imagination with their cases and dials, they just use different colours, bit like the mercedes, just change the location of the badge and it is a new model.

    Reply
  8. Jeroen de jong

    Funny, the guy in the picture wears special gloves, but the case is harder than steel and wont scratch. But it looks stunning.

    Reply
    • Oil and fingerprints will show up in photos and to anyone who wants to fork out $10K+…

      Reply
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