This is a 39.5-mm version of Omega’s existing Planet Ocean collection of diver’s watches, and Omega have marketed the piece as specifically for women. They have also added Switzerland’s most famous product to the name, and their PR photos show the watch apparently diving into a sea of chocolate. It is a reference to the colour of the ceramic dial and bezel, complemented by the reddish Sedna (Omega’s proprietary pink gold alloy) gold used for the case, hands and dial indications, and the foldover clasp. It is the first time that Sedna gold has been used in the Planet Ocean range.
It is a lavish, luxurious piece, that at the same time is very technical. It has all the characteristics of a diving watch, such as unidirectional rotating bezel, helium escape valve at 10 o’clock, and a leather-rubber strap that will withstand swimming. It also has Omega’s METAS Master Chronometer certification that includes resistance to 15,000 gauss magnetic fields.
There is quite a lot on the dial, with texts relating to the characteristics of the watch and the movement, and even “ZrO2” engraved very small under the central aperture for the hands pivot. This indicates the type of ceramic, zirconium oxide, used for the dial. Overall it’s attractive, though I’m sure that some people would have preferred it without the date window at 3 o’clock. Omega’s Ceragold technique used for the bezel, combining gold inset into ceramic to create the numerals and minute markers, makes for a perfectly smooth surface.
Co-axial movement calibre 8801
The watch is powered by the Omega co-axial calibre 8801, with METAS certification that rates the watch for precision (max 0/+5 seconds deviation per day) and seven other parameters. The movement runs at 25,200 vibrations per hour (3.5 Hertz) and has a power reserve of 55 hours. It can be seen through the sapphire caseback, and it has a gold rotor and balance bridge, and blackened screws, barrel and balance wheel.
Price and reference
The Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M Chocolate, reference 215.63.40.20.13.001, costs €19,000. It will be available in boutiques from August 2016. Apparently a less expensive version, with stainless steel case, will be introduced later this year.
