Matt Clymo 
Omega is celebrating 20 years since the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean graced us with its presence. This week, the brand gives it a new look in the way of a Plant Ocean Worldtimer in two colour ways.
We did say that it was the year of anniversaries this year! One of which was Omega celebrating the Seamaster Planet Ocean’s 20th Birthday. Introduced in 2005 as a more robust divers watch with 600m water resistance and building on the momentum the Seamaster Professional Diver 300m had gained over the 10 years prior, the Planet Ocean was a more bold and sporty design, known for its use of colour, such as the bright orange variant that stood out, and graced the wrists of people like Agent Gibbs from NCIS in the earlier seasons. That particular model has been discontinued and replaced by a range of other models that still bear the signature orange pops of colour on the rubber bezel insert strap and numerals. If you can pull off that colour, it is a cool piece. While the orange has its place, I was always partial to the blue dial and blue bezel version on the rubber strap, and the variations of it over the years.
So, it’s no surprise that Omega would look to do something special with the Planet Ocean this year, and now the wait is over as the brand has released not one, but two versions of the new Seamaster Planet Ocean complete with the Worldtimer functionality, the same found in the Seamaster Aqua Terra.
Omega has chosen to give these models the black treatment, also known as the Planet Ocean Deep Black, using a black ceramic case, black ceramic bezel and a laser-ablated polished dive scale in positive relief in the bezel. On the all-black variant, this gives the watch very much a stealth look, as even the worldtimer, hands, and indices are done in black and the lume is also given the black treatment via Omega’s new grey Super-LumiNova. Matching this is the black rubber strap with grey stitching and black ceramic and ceramised titanium folding clasp.
The second piece Omega has given a pop of colour to, opting to change the dial to a bright turquoise colour, white Super-LumiNova and divers pip and turquoise highlights on the strap. This colour may look familiar, as it has similar vibes to the Planet Ocean Chronograph ETNZ Deep Black which was released a year or so ago for the New Zealand America’s Cup team. This, however, and thankfully, is slightly smaller than the ETNZ, but still retains that contrasting black and turquoise look, which I admit, I quite like.
Close-up is where you start to see the detail Omega has put into the Planet Ocean Worldtimer. The centre disk shows the top of the world, the North Pole, and the effect is achieved using grade 5 titanium for the surface, and then the 3D effect is created via laser ablation and varnish to get the desired effect. Just outside the map of the North Pole is the Day/Night indicator dial, white for day, black for night and sits under a disc of hesalite glass. As we move outwards even more, the black honeycomb pattern is achieved through a combination of black DLC and laser ablation again. The major world cities in all the time zones then surround the entire dial and enable you to set the time zone you are in.
Powering the new Planet Ocean Worldtimer is the Omega Calibre 8938, which is certified as a Master Chronometer via METAS and employs Omega’s Co-Axial escapement that was pioneered by George Daniels and industrialised and scaled by Omega. Like most Omega’s, it is anti-magnetic to 15,000 gauss, so nothing in your home or office will come close to magnetising it, not to mention a free-sprung balance so it can handle those occasional bumps and knocks.
Both models as mentioned are part of the Deep Black range, which can be seen on the caseback, and have a case size of 45.5mm in diameter, 51.5mm lug-to-lug and 17.4mm thick. Now, you would be right in thinking these a not small watches, they are not! But what they lack in slimness, they make up for in weight saving with the ceramic case and runner strap. So even if they may sound big on paper, they should feel a little less so on the wrist. However, if you are used to a standard Planet Ocean, which measures in 43.5mm x 49mm x 16.1mm thick, it may take a little getting used to.
Initial Thoughts
I’m in two minds about these watches, which is a good thing there are two watches. On one hand, I love the fact that Omega has done something a little different with the Planet Ocean for its 20th Anniversary, not only from a design perspective, but movement and functionality as well. If I look back at the last big anniversary from Omega, the 75th Seamaster Anniversary models, these all looked amazing in the Summer Blue, and Omega did a great job varying the blue hues based on the depths each piece could dive to. But, at the end of the day it was a colour change, a clever colour change and well thought through, but a colour change nonetheless – apart from the Easter Egg on the Ultra Deep that is. IYKYK.
On the other hand, I’m slightly torn over the colours – the black looks great and if you’re into all-black watches, then this will tick many boxes here. Personally, I’m not a huge fan, but I’m happy to be proven wrong and have my mind changed. However, Omega has preempted me and given me the turquoise model to bring the black to life somewhat. The use of this colour and white Super-LumiNova on the indices and hands has me sold, so it’s a yes from me on that model.
I wasn’t sure what to expect with this release, so I have been surprised by it. It is great to see Omega adding a new complication to the Planet Ocean, even if they have taken it from another one of their models. Could they have dropped this into the slightly smaller 43.5mm Seamaster Planet Ocean? Potentially, but then it would move away from the Deep Black case. And this is where Omega has been smart – adding the Worldtimer function into a model that is far enough away from the Aqua Terra and in a completely different look to the more refined and polished case of the Seamaster Aqua Terra. So for that, Kudos to Omega.
Reference: 215.92.46.22.01.007 (All Black) /
215.92.46.22.01.006 (Turquoise)
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 45.5mm x 17.4mm thick x 51.5mm lug-to-lug
- Case Material: Black brushed ceramic
- Dial: Black DLC with Worldtimer dial done in titanium, laser-ablated and varnished.
- Crystal: Domed scratch‑resistant sapphire crystal with anti‑reflective treatment on both sides
- Water resistance: 600m (60BAR)
- Movement: Calibre 8938, METAS certified and anti-magnetic up to 15,000 gauss
- Power reserve: 60 hours
- Strap: Black rubber strap with either grey or turquoise lining and black ceramic and ceramised titanium folding clasp
