Omega Planet Ocean - Heirloom of the Future

The 42 mm Planet Ocean is one of the finest looking dive watches in the Omega collection. While the Planet Ocean ‘Big’ (2900.50.91), at more than 45mm diameter, may suit those who wish to wear a timepiece that can be easily transformed into a navy SEAL landing craft (there is even space to attach a couple of high powered out-boards), it is the PO ‘Normal’ (2201.50.00) that I believe will ultimately become a true ‘collector’s’ piece.

The Planet Ocean combines modernity with genuine Omega DNA to produce a watch that reflects a synthesis of the classicism of the famous Seamaster dive watches of the 1970s and contemporary stylistic preferences. It was originally released with a black bezel and white characters. Later the stunning orange bezel with orange characters on the quarter hours was released, and later still, a black bezel with orange characters was produced for those, who, perhaps, couldn’t make their minds up about the ideal colour palette.

The Planet Ocean is powered by an officially certified automatic Omega Co-Axial calibre 2500 movement, which is a beautifully modified ETA 2892 ebauche, complete with free-sprung balance. It is an extremely reliable work-horse movement that has stood the test of time, if you’ll pardon the pun. The George Daniels Co-Axial escapement system elevates this movement into the realms of cutting edge horology, reducing friction and extending service intervals to boot. The movement beats along at 25,200 half revolutions per hour, which, combined with a larger and heavier balance wheel, improves the stability of the movement. The slower beat rate allows a corresponding increase in the power reserve to 48 hours.

Planet Oceans come with a helium release valve (see the second crown at 2200). While this is a boon for deep sea divers who need to release built up helium to avoid serious damage to their watches, please rest assured that you will not need to use this function when you explore the depths of your swimming pool. The concept of gas release in the Planet Ocean is not dissimilar to gas release in humans – they both have to be done with aforethought and manually!

The Planet Ocean, in my opinion, is a true collectible of the future. The 2201.50.00, in particular, eschews size for size’s sake, and, thus, will probably not be found consigned in the darker recesses of some sock drawer of the future because of its dinosaur proportions. Rather, in 30 years, I believe it will have the status of the Seamaster 300s of the 1960s. So, for the investment of around $3000.00 USD (depending on the discounts you may extract from an authorised dealer) you can own an heirloom of the future.

Latest Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra

Since the launch of the OMEGA Seamaster Aqua Terra collection in 2008, it has been warmly received by watch enthusiasts who have raved about its blend of eye-catching design excellence and innovating watchmaking technology. OMEGA now introduces another member of the family, the Seamaster Aqua Terra Co-Axial Chronograph.

Like the rest of the collection, its trademark feature is its “Teak Concept” dial whose vertical lines are reminiscent of the wooden decks on luxury boats. The Seamaster Aqua Terra Co-Axial Chronograph’s luxury-finished movement combines OMEGA’s exclusive Co-Axial calibre 3313 and a free sprung balance for outstanding long-term performance. Its precision is confirmed by its COSC-certification as a chronometer. The self-winding watch is also equipped with a column-wheel chronograph mechanism.

The Seamaster Aqua Terra Co-Axial Chronograph is available in four case materials: 18 Ct white gold, 18 Ct red gold, stainless steel or, in the bi-coloured version pictured here featuring 18 Ct red gold and stainless steel. The watches are available either with OMEGA’s patented screw-and-pin system bracelets in corresponding metals or with integrated alligator straps.

The polished, brushed 44 mm case is water resistant to 150 metres (500 feet) and has a polished bezel. The matt polished screw-in crown is embossed with a polished OMEGA logo and the case features polished chronograph pushers. The Seamaster Aqua Terra Co-Axial Chronograph has a domed, scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on both sides, as well as a polished screw-in caseback whose sapphire crystal makes it possible to see the Co-Axial movement at work.

The model featured above has a red gold bezel with matching middle bracelet links, reminiscent of some of the classic Omega models 0f the 1960s and 70s.

Click here for a recent review of this model

Omega Constellation Double Eagle Chronograph

The Omega Constellation Double Eagle reference 1619.51.91 chronograph is without doubt the sportiest and most agressive looking iteration of the Constellation brand. The Double-Eagle is a nich market high-end tool watch with head-turning looks that are both sophisticated and 'edgy'. 

Sitting in a relatively conservative case body, the DE draws its exceptional overall effect from the colour palet, dial furniture and other stylistic elements that are used to accessorise the case: Solid 18k red gold chunky markers are applied on a checkerboard dial (in one version) with a stark white chapter ring; Stubbed dauphine hands, merging sub-dials contrasting with a minimalist sub-dial at nine o'clock come together to create a striking visage. 

The broad bezel in black with contrasting roman numerals establishes a fine balance with the thick, sculptured claws.  The pushers, a modern rendition of chronograph pushers from the 1950s, create a pleasing addition to the profile of the watch. The rubber strap reinforces the contrasts in the case and frames the case perfectly.  

The model featured in this review is powered by the Omega calibre 3313. While there has been a low incidence of public reports about the reliability of the calibre 3313 Double Eagle model, it pays to know that in its earlier incarnation there were quite a few concerns expressed by collectors about the movement. Nevertheless, the feedback on these movements has been decidedly mixed and often quite emotional.

The movement is a Frédéric Piguet designed and manufactured calibre. In response to earlier reports on issues of reliability and durability, Omega engineered retrofit parts to address these concerns and the 'fix' parts are now a standard feature in all currently manufactured 3313s.  I am still not a fan of the 3xxx calibres because I do not believe they are as robust as they should. 

Calibre 3313 is a self-winding chronograph movement with column wheel mechanism and Co-Axial Escapement for greater precision stability and durability of the movement. It features a free sprung balance and a 52 hour power reserve. Water resistance is guaranteed to 100 metres. The 41mm case is fitted with a domed anti-reflective, scratch-resistant sapphire crystal.

First appearing in retail establishments in 2004, the Double Eagle family is available in three different versions. But for sheer brilliance in styling the model 1619.51.91 stands tall above the others.

Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra GMT Chronograph

This new Acqua Terra has particularly striking design features. Its “Teak Concept” dial has vertical lines which are reminiscent of the wooden decks on luxury boats. The Aqua Terra Co-Axial GMT Chronograph’s luxury-finished movement combines OMEGA’s exclusive Co-Axial calibre 3603 and a free sprung balance for outstanding long-term performance. Its precision is confirmed by its COSC-certification as a chronometer. 

The watch’s GMT hand, which makes one complete rotation in 24 hours, is ideally suited for people who travel frequently between time zones or who need to know what time it is another part of the world. 

The watch is available either in 18 Ct red gold or in stainless steel. The red gold model comes with a choice of a matching 18 Ct red gold bracelet or with a brown alligator strap integrated in the case. The stainless steel watch is delivered either with a black “soft-touch” integrated alligator strap or with a screw-and-pin bracelet in stainless steel. 

The polished, brushed 44 mm case is water resistant to 150 metres (500 feet). Its bi-directional rotating GMT bezel in either 18 Ct red gold or stainless steel is mounted with a ring coated with black PVD and scaled to 24 hours, which allows the tracking of three separate time zones. It has a domed, scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on both sides, as well as a polished screw-in caseback whose sapphire crystal makes it possible to see the Co-Axial movement at work.

The 18 Ct red gold model features a teak-grey dial, sun-brushed from the center, with black sub-dials. The stainless steel edition’s dial is vertically-brushed teak-grey with black sub-dials. It has central hour, minute, GMT and chronograph seconds hands and a small seconds counter at 9H. The other sub-dials are the 30-minute recorder at 3H and the 12-hour recorder at 6H.

The facetted hour, minute and GMT hands are made of 18 Ct gold and coated with white Super-LumiNova. The GMT hand is tipped with a red arrow. The dial also has applied 18 Ct gold indexes with diamond-polished sides which are coated with white Super-LumiNova. The OMEGA name and logo on the dial are also diamond-brushed applied 18 Ct gold. 

Read Ariel Adams' review of the GMT Aqua Terra

The Latest Omega Speedmaster Caliber 3313

The new automatic coaxial version (311.30.44.50.01.002) of the iconic Omega Speedmaster is purpose designed for those who like big tool watches. At 44.25mm, it's noticeably larger than the 3570 with a moderately wider tachymeter bezel.

This new model offers the advantage of a date display and automatic winding, but could lose the attention of a few purists with the evolution of the dial design. However, for any fourty-plus owner, the larger markings make the watch that little bit easier to read.

This large and latest Speedmaster is noticeably heavier than the moonwatch and features a new bracelet design using screws instead of the old pins and collars they used on earlier models. The specifications of the watch are as follows:

…Omega caliber 3313 Self-winding Chronograph

…Co-Axial Escapement

…Column wheel mechanism

…52 Hour Power reserve

…Date at the 6 o’clock position

…Continuous seconds hand at the 9 o’clock position

…Matte black dial with recessed sub dials for elapsed minutes and hours

…Scratch resistant sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on the inside

…Scratch resistant sapphire crystal exhibit case back

…Water resistant to 100 meters (330 feet)

This new version maintains a strong design link with its predecessors while offering new features. It satisfies many of the demands of contemporary owners, and while some may feel that the exhibition case back is a travesty, it certainly is a joy to look through and see the movement go through its paces.

the Fredric Piguet co-designed and manufactured Calibre 33xx has had a mixed reception amongst some Omega aficionados, notably the late Chuck Maddox. But, while it may have its detractors it certainly has a cohort of followers on the major watch forums. Notwithstanding improvements to this movement in later iterations, I believe there are better chronograph movements around.

Click here for an even-handed review of the calibre 3313

Click here for a WatchTime article reviewing a range of contemporary chronograph movements

Click here for a comprehensive Omega audio-visual presentation on the history of the Speedmaster

Omega Museum Collection Racend Timer

The Omega Museum Collection arose from a desire to combine the historical milestones of timekeeping with the technology of the 21st century. The collection mainly targets collectors and lovers of extraordinary watches. The first model of the collection introduced in 2003 was that of the 1938 Pilots Watch and since then some truly magnificent designs have been resurrected, including the the 1915 Tonneau, the 1932 Marine, the 1951 Cosmic,the 1945 Chronograph, and more recently the Racend Timer.

The Omega Museum Collection is one of Omega's show piece collections and the 1949 Racend Timeris a worthy member of this exclusive collection. It takes its name from a ground-breaking piece of Omega timekeeping that solved the problem of multiple finish line arrivals in track competitions.  

Powered by a hand-winding Omega 3201 caliber movement, it is governed by a column-wheel and offers 12-hour and 30-minute counters, as well as small seconds. The caliber also incorporates a free-sprung balance and the Omega Co-Axial Escapement. The case size is 39mm.

Only 1,949 pieces of this beautiful watch were produced. It features brushed finishes on the sides, contrasted by polished elements on the lugs tops and bezel. The opaline silver dial features both a tachymeter and pulsometer scale.

The varied elements such as triangular gold hour figures, leaf hands, and the stylised Omega logo recall the design of those much-loved and highly collecible vintage Omega chronographs of the 1940s and 50s.  

Click here for a short review and specifications of the watch.

New Omega Constellation Luxury Edition Release

The Omega Constellation Luxury Edition watches are now appearing in Omega boutiques and authorised dealerships. Shimmer is an understatement, and only males with absolute confidence in their sexual identity, gangsta rappers, Comumbian drug lords and nouveau riche natives of South-East Asia will probably be drawn to 31mm case size version of the collection. They are essentially a piece of jewelery for those members of the species to whom diamonds are their best friend.

The models in the luxury range have identical dials. There are however three distinct configurations of diamonds on their bracelets and cases. The 31 mm model features the magnificent Omega OMEGA Co-Axial calibre 8421 movement.

The most blindingly spectacular of the models in the luxury collection feature more than 3 karats of diamonds.

The Constellation that will be most popular with males is the redesigned case body with the wider claws, more reminiscent of the Double-Eagle styling that the earlier Manhattan design story. (see above Pic 2) The 38mm version is powered by the Co-Axial Calibre 8500/8501, Omega's latest in-house calibre.

The new 8500 series of calibres are no slouches. Click here for a review of this high-tech marvel from the Omega stable.

The New Omega Speedmaster Professionals

Two OMEGA Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch Apollo 11 “40th Anniversary” Limited Edition watches have been released to celebrate this important milestone: one in stainless steel
and sterling silver (7,969 pieces); the other in platinum and 18 Ct yellow gold (69 pieces).

Both are powered by OMEGA’s calibre 1861, which shares its lineage with the calibre 321 used in the original Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch. The stainless steel casebody is delivered with a stainless steel bracelet which has been upgraded to include OMEGA’s patented screw and pin system. The black dial also recalls that of the Moonwatch with some key differences. The small seconds counter (sub-dial) is a medallion which features an adaptation of Apollo 11’s famous mission patch: an eagle descends to the lunar surface with an olive branch representing peace in its claws. In the distance, far above the horizon, the earth is visible.

The patch was designed by Michael Collins who remained in the Apollo 11 capsule as Command Module Pilot while his colleagues Armstrong and Aldrin were in the Lunar Module and on the moon.

The watch’s hour, minute and the red-tipped chronograph seconds hands are coated with Super-LumiNova. The minute and hour chronograph counter hands are white and there is a brushed, rhodium-plated small seconds hand in attractive relief to the slightly recessed medallion on the counter.

Click here for a review of these exclusive models

Omega Offers a Limited Edition Seamaster Bond

While the movie may have been without much of a story, the Omega Bond Seamaster certainly looks great on our hero's wrist.

Omega Bond Seamasters also include a limited edition Quantum of Solas model - seen above. The black textured surface of its dial – reminiscent of the grip of 007’s trademark Walther PPK – distinguishes the OMEGA Seamaster Planet Ocean 600m "Quantum of Solace" from every other James Bond limited edition watch. The blood red tip of the seconds hand rotates in stark contrast to the black dial.

New Omega Offerings at Baselworld Watch Show

Omega launched a range of new and 'homage' models at Baselworld, Switzerland's premier watch event, held in early April 2009.

While a bevy of American astronauts stole the limelight at the Omega launch of two limited edition Speedmasters, one model that did not fall under the radar was the reintroduced 1970's icon and quintessence of 1970s brutalism - the Ploprof.

The new Omega Co-Axial Ploprof 1200M bears a strong physical resemblance to its famous ancestor and it carries on the traditions of robust reliability and water resistance which have always defined OMEGA’s divers’ watches. But there are some improvements under the bonnet, which include a member of the first family of in-house manufactured movements since the 1000 movements series, the Omega Co-axial calibre 8500.

Click here for the complete Omega Baselworld catalogue

Click here for a review of the Ploprof