Just months after Omega fitted its Seamaster Planet Ocean dive watch collection with new models that feature the Omega Master Chronometer certification, the Bienne-based watchmaker this week again expands its Planet Ocean range with four black-ceramic-cased models.
Called Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Deep Black, the collection adds touches of color and gold to a one-piece 45.5-mm case of black zirconium oxide ceramic (ZrO2 technically, referred to as ceramic) complemented with similarly black ceramic bezels and dials. Omega has devised a ceramic case for this collection that has been tested for water resistance to 600 meters, or about 2,000 feet, which the firm claims is the first ceramic watch case tested to reach such depths.
The Planet Ocean Deep Black models differ by accent color (red, blue, black, or gold) and one features its bezel, crowns, hands and indices forged from Omega’s own 18k Sedna gold (above). All also boast a new GMT ring that has been fixed to the dial, while each model’s diving scale is built directly into the ceramic bezel using markers and numerals made with Liquidmetal (a substance used in other Omega models and by other brands throughout the Swatch Group) or Ceragold, a proprietary Omega gold-ceramic alloy.
Omega injects red or blue vulcanized rubber directly into the bezels of two models to colorfully mark the 15-minute dive-time indication, as well as to match the hands and the 12, 6, and 9 indication colors on those models. (You’ll find similar color accents on the steel Planet Ocean watches that debuted at Baselworld this past March.) Rubber-injected “He” marks the Helium valve on the red and blue models, while the symbol is in Liquidmetal on the black model.
Two Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Deep Black models — the Black and the Sedna gold versions — feature ceramic cases and dials polished for a glossy effect. The blue- and red-accented versions feature cases and dials that are matte finished, which Omega says offers better visibility underwater. For the gold model, Omega uses its 18k Sedna gold to accent the hands and indices; the three other Deep Black dials feature hands and indices of 18k white gold. All are coated in white Super-LumiNova that emits green and blue colors (as seen below).
Each of these new Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Deep Black watches is fitted with Omega’s Master Chronometer Caliber 8906, which boasts resistance to magnetic fields of 15,000 gauss–a key feature of Omega’s Master Chronometer certification.
You’ll recall that Omega announced the Master Chronometer certification last year, explaining that each Master Chronometer watch will be certified as having passed eight tests set by the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology (METAS). The tests are said to replicate or exceed real-life wearing conditions highlighted by the enhanced resistance to magnetic fields. This standard, first offered with the new Omega Globemaster late last year, is meant to verify the watch’s precision and performance and is added to the COSC certification Omega already extends to these watches. Omega also adds a four-year warranty to this expanded certification.
A look at the caseback of these new Deep Black models reveals more than a clear view of that Caliber 8906, which features a silicon balance spring, Omega’s proprietary Co-Axial escapement and a 60-hour power reserve. Developing a new ceramic case for dive models necessitated new technology, specifically a patented ceramic Naiad Lock, to ensure a water-resistant caseback for a material rarely used to case dive watches. With the caseback thus locked tight, Omega added another aesthetic touch to the Seamaster Planet Ocean Deep Black design by orienting the caseback so that the engraved wording always sits perfectly in position, with “Deep Black” at the top of the caseback and “Planet Ocean” below.
Three of the Seamaster Planet Ocean Deep Black watches come on a black rubber strap that looks like a fabric strap. Each offers contrasting stitching (red, blue, or white). A wave pattern can be found on the underside. On the Sedna gold model, the strap is water-resistant leather with the same anti-bacterial rubber underside. The fold-over clasp is made from ceramized titanium, while the clasp cover is made in ceramic with two types of finishing. All straps are treated with an anti-bacterial coating.
]Just prior to the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Deep Black launch event, Omega CEO Raynald Aeschlimann told WatchTime that Omega chose to debut the new collection in New York in part because collectors and enthusiasts in the United States have long been particularly avid Seamaster buyers.
“The U.S. appreciates the technical aspects of our professional dive watches, and with Planet Ocean we add that together with a very recognizable design that people here love,” said Aeschlimann. “By percentage, Planet Ocean does better in the United States when compared to any other country in the world. And here people are very loyal to the Seamaster line.”
Aeschlimann added in a statement that the new Deep Black collection “takes everything we’ve learned and developed over the years and combines these advancements into a truly striking collection of timepieces. It is a momentous occasion for Omega to be here in New York and to share these watches for the first time.”
While Omega has not yet announced final U.S. prices for the Seamaster Planet Ocean Deep Black watches, Swiss prices are as follows: 10,400 CHF (about $10,700) for the three black models and 13,900 CHF (about $14,423) for the Sedna Gold edition.
Technical Specifications:
MOVEMENT:
Omega Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 8906, officially certified by METAS
Self-winding in both directions
Frequency: 25,200 vph (3.5 Hz)
Power reserve: 60 hours
Magnetic resistance to 15,000 Gauss
GMT/2nd time zone indication
Time zone function
Silicon “Si14” balance spring
Omega free-sprung balance
Co-Axial Escapement, 3 levels
2 barrels mounted in series
Rhodium-plated rotor and bridges
Geneva waves in arabesque
Blackened screws, barrels and balance wheel
DISPLAY:
Central hour-minute-seconds-GMT hands, date window
MATERIALS:
Case: Black ceramic [ZrO2]
Dial: Black ceramic [ZrO2]
Bracelet: Rubber
Clasp: Black ceramic [ZrO2] – Titanium
CASE:
Diameter: 45.5 mm
Height: 17.18 mm
Water-resistant to (600 m/2,000 ft)
Polished-brushed body
Unidirectional rotating bezel; polished black ceramic [ZrO2] ring with Liquidmetal diving scale; dot at 12H with white Super-LumiNova (green emission)
Screw-in crown with Ω in Liquidmetal; helium escape valve with “He” in Liquidmetal
Domed scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with nonreflective treatment on both sides
Naiad Lock ceramic [ZrO2] caseback with chromium nitride marks
DIAL:
Polished black ceramic [ZrO2] with 18k white gold applied indexes; white Super-LumiNova (blue emission)
New applied Arabic numerals
New transferred minutes track
Blackened GMT ring
HANDS:
Polished faceted 18k white gold hands with white Super-LumiNova
Blue emission: hour & seconds hands & GMT hands (in line with indexes)
Green emission: minute hand (in line with the dot on bezel)
Seconds & GMT hands with varnished orange tip
STRAP:
New integrated black structured rubber strap with black rubber lining
Fold-over clasp, ceramic top-bottom covers and pushers; ceramized titanium frame-spring folders
22 mm between lugs, 20 mm on clasp
I WA[NT TO KNOW THE PRICE OF OMEGA PLANET OCEAN “DEEP BLACK”
ceramic housing for a dive watch… hmmm, I guess not many would take such an expensive watch on a proper dive trip.
Brilliant !!
Absolutely in love with the blue-accented version.
Can’t wait to see this in real life.