Monochrome
When Omega introduced the new Seamaster Planet Ocean with the new in-house caliber 9300
last year, this was something that really interested me. Omega was so
kind to let me review this dive watch with impressive specifications and
impressive dimensions.
It takes a few days or weeks to get a good idea what a watch is
really like and how it’s on the wrist. Is it really that big or heavy,
does wear comfortable, how is it in different circumstances, is it easy
to read the time and how does it perform? I strapped the Seamaster
Planet Ocean Chrono on the wrist for six weeks and wrote a review. It’s a
tough job, but somebody’s gotto do it…
When I became interested in watches, the Omega Seamaster ‘James Bond’
was one of the first watches that caught my attention. Together with
the Rolex Submariner and Sea-Dweller, these were the iconic timepieces
that determined my taste as a beginning collector. Somehow it always
felt like the dive watches of these brands were rivals, yet in a
different price range and with different specifications. The Seamaster
Professional never had an in-house movement and the two Rolex models
were ‘above budget’. The launch of the Seamaster Planet Ocean Chrono
with its in-house caliber 9300, kicks off a new phase in the competition
between these two titans.
The case dimensions of the new Seamaster Planet Ocean Chrono (or short POC) shows more resemblance with the new
Rolex Sea-Dweller Deepsea than with the older
Sea-Dweller ref.16600
or the Submariner. Its case measures 45,5 mm in diameter and the case
is 19.2 mm thick. Yes that is very thick! For comparison, the
Sea-Dweller Deepsea is 17.7 mm thick and measures a mere 44 mm in
diameter. Strange enough they feel more or less the same on the
wrist. There is of course much more to a watch than its dimensions…
History
Let’s start by looking at the history of the Omega Seamaster. The new
Seamaster Planet Ocean Chrono isn’t anywhere close to the first
Seamaster that Omega created. The Seamaster has a long history and
through the years we’ve seen quite a few variations. The first model
that was introduced in 1948 looked like a dress watch and it wasn’t
until 1957 when the Seamaster got the looks of what we now consider a
dive watch. A round stainless steel case with a rotating bezel and a
depth rating that allows more contact with water than washing the dishes
or taking a shower. The Seamaster 300 reference 2913 (see photo
left) has become a collectable piece and prices for a good one can
easily reach the level of a new Planet Ocean and more.
Although Omega says the Seamaster 300 was the first in the
‘Professional’ line, the in 1988 launched Seamaster 200m is the first
Seamaster with the word ‘Professional’ printed on the dial. It was the
third version with ‘Professional’ on the dial, launched in 1993 and
unofficially called the ‘James Bond’ version, that gave the Seamaster
Professional its huge popularity among a much bigger audience.
The design of the Planet Ocean, launched in 2005, recalls that of the
first Seamaster 300 meter models that were launched in 1957. Look at
the hands, bezel and many other design elements. The Seamaster Planet
Ocean was also the first Seamaster collection to be equipped with
Omega’s proprietary Co-Axial Escapement movement, caliber 2500. The
newly released Seamaster POC is equipped with a true in-house caliber.
Overall appearance
The first thing that is noticed about the Seamaster POC is it’s size.
It’s huge and members of several forums already nicknamed it SeamONster
because of its dimensions. It’s big and thick, no doubt about it, but I
was truly amazed that it does not feel uncomfortable on the wrist. But
later more about that. The watch has an easy to read dial and because
its hands and markers are treated with luminous material it also has
great legibility in the dark. The responses on the watch were very
positive and although some people mentioned its big size, everybody
seemed to like its looks, style, finish and of course the movement that
is visible through the sapphire caseback.
Features
The Seamaster POC is a dive watch in the first place and that’s the
reason for its big case. It can go to a depth of 600 meters or 2,000
feet and the dive time can be measured on the rotating dive bezel. And
if you consider to become a professional diver working in a diving bell
with gas-mixes, than it’s good to know the Seamaster POC also has a
Helium escape valve. The watch comes on a steel bracelet, however it’s
also available on a rubber strap.
Besides the dive watch features, the Seamaster POC is also an
impressive chronograph with the very impressive in-house movement
caliber 9300. It indicates time, date and offers a chronograph function.
Dial/hands
The black glossy dial features applied hour markers with super
luminova. The markers at 12 o’clock and 6 o’clock are shorter to give
space to the applied ’12′ and the date. The upper part of the dial
features an applied omega logo and brand name and just below we see the
word ‘Seamaster’ printed in orange and ‘Professional’ in white font. The
centrally positioned hour and minute hands end in an arrow and have
applied super luminova.
Printed at the lower part of the dial is ‘co-axial’ – ‘chronometer’ –
’600m/2000 feet’ in silver/white. Both recessed subdials are emphasized
by a surrounding thin metal rim. The left subdial shows the subsidiary
seconds. The right subdial is the chronograph register, showing both the
elapsed hours and minutes.
Around the dial is a rotating dive bezel, that isn’t black but rather
anthracite, with silver colored numerals and minute markers between o
and 15 minutes. This version isn’t equipped with the Liquidmetal® yet;
the only version of the Seamaster Planet Ocean Chrono that comes with
the Liquidmetal® bezel, is the titanium version with blue dial.
Case/strap
The huge dimensions of the case are already mentioned, however what
also needs to be said is that the size and weight didn’t result in
unwearable watch. On the contrary, it was actually quite comfortable and
when comparing it to its big Rolex nephew, the
Deepsea, I found it to be even more comfortable.
The case, bezel, pushers, crown, bracelet and clasp are all very well
finished. All parts show a serious attention for details, that really
give this watch a lot of extra when it comes overall experience and
satisfaction. I’m also delighted that Omega finally equipped the
bracelet with screws for sizing it. With the old bracelet with push-pins
it was a sheer nightmare to size bracelets. The new bracelet with
screws makes it so much easier to size a bracelet to your wrist.
Above and below the screw-down crown with embossed Omega logo, are
the pushers for operating the chronograph. The pushers have a polished
steel top and the sides are black (orange and blue on models with
different colors for dial, bezel and strap). The ribbed parts around the
pushers seem to have no function, expect visual.
A screw-down Helium escape valve is on the left side, at the 10 o’clock position.
This photo also shows the nice finishing details, that feature
polished and brushed parts. The side of the dive bezel, features a more
pronounced rib for enhanced grip. It also looks more like the side of
the bezel of the vintage Seamaster 300 from 1957.
Another lovely detail on the Seamaster POC is the domed sapphire
crystal. The crystal is treated with anti-reflective coating on the
inside and outside.
Movement
Omega’s new caliber 9300 is simply magnificent. When we’re looking at
price/product ratio than this is just superb. No beefed up ETA/Valjoux
7750 that is sold for 6k€, no a serious in-house movement with superb
specifications and great performance. The same movement is also used in
the new
Speedmaster that our friends of Fratellowatches reviewed.
The movement has two mainspring barrels, mounted in series,
delivering 60 hours of power reserve when fully wound. Of course it
features Omega’s co-axial escapement with the silicium (Si 14) balance
spring and free-sprung screw balance.
Omega dedicated a part of their website to explaining the co-axial
escapement. So in stead of trying to explain it my self, I suggest you
have a look at
this page at the Omega website.
The chronograph is controlled by a column-wheel mechanism, something
connoisseurs will absolutely appreciate. Furthermore the movement shows a
lovely finish, although we need to make you aware that it’s machine
finish. For the price Omega sets on the Seamaster Planet Ocean Chrono,
we couldn’t expect hand-finished parts! The bridges, main plate and
rotor feature a rhodium plated finish with Geneva waves in arabesque.
The verdict – pros and cons
The Seamaster Planet Ocean Chrono is a superbly finished and designed
watch. Everything part has been designed with attention for details and
the whole watch looks attractive, sporty and robust. Exactly what you
would want from a dive watch with chronograph.
Of course the rather huge size is one of the draw-backs, however when
comparing it to the Rolex Sea-Dweller Deepsea I’d say that the
Seamaster POC wears more comfortable. This is probably due to the very
short lugs and because of this, the watch ‘hugs’ the wrist. On my
average size wrist it looks good.
The pro’s are: an impressive watch with a superb design, that
perfectly matches with everything a rugged dive watch with chronograph
should be about. The dial is very legible, even when it’s dark. The
domed sapphire crystal is anti-reflective coated on both sides and even
the case-back is made of a sapphire crystal so the magnificent in-house
caliber 9300 is visible.
I believe this is the only serious competitor for the Rolex
Sea-Dweller Deepsea in the market. Both feature a great in-house
movement and more or less the same look and feel. A robust luxury dive
watch. The Omega also adds a chronograph, while the Deepsea can be taken
down to 3900 meters in stead of the 600 meters of the Seamaster POC.
But let’s be real… who really goes that deep with a luxury dive watch on
the wrist?
The price of the new Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Chrono with
co-axial caliber 6100 with steel bracelet is € 6100 Euro including
taxes. On the rubber strap it costs € 6000 euro. Yes, it’s roughly € 700
Euro more expensive than the previous version, but I think the new
movement is worth the premium. Altogether it’s a great watch for a good
price.
More information can be found on the
Omega website.
