Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M Master Chronometer Chronograph 45.5 mm

The Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M Master Chronometer Chronograph is a luxury version of a supremely practical chronograph. The counter at 3 o’clock combines chronograph minutes and hours into a display that is legible at a glance. All the hands have areas of SuperLuminova, with differentiated colours of luminescence: blue for the hour indices, hour and chronograph seconds hands, and the subdial hands. The minute hand and the white dot on the bezel glow green. The watch is a truly practical diver’s chronograph, because the chronograph pushers can be used underwater. This may seem obvious, but in actual fact it was only in 1993 with the Omega Seamaster Professional 300M chronograph that it was possible to operate the chronograph pushers underwater. Sealing a moving part like a pusher is a complicated problem that requires double or triple gaskets.

The watch shown here has a 45.5 mm case, thickness 18.87 mm, in steel and Sedna gold. It’s a large and bold piece. The dial is in dark blue ceramic, and the unidirectional rotating bezel is in ceramic with inset metal indications (Omega call this their Ceragold system). There is a helium escape valve at 10 o’clock. The case is water-resistant to 60 bar, 600 metres, and this is tested in water (most watches are tested using compressed air) as part of the METAS certification regime.

The piece is powered by the Omega 9900 self-winding calibre, which has a column wheel to control the chronograph functions, and a co-axial escapement. The movement is resistant to magnetic fields up to 15,000 gauss, achieved by the use of non-magnetic materials such as silicon for the balance spring. Power reserve is 60 hours, provided by two mainspring barrels. The movement can be viewed through the sapphire window in the screw-in caseback.

The bracelet in steel and Sedna gold has Omega’s patented extending foldover clasp with an additional diver extension. The length adjustment system is very easy to use, providing a total adjustment of 33 mm. The quickest method is inside the clasp, with a button that you push and slide. This provides adjustment in 6 positions over a length of 9.6 mm. In addition, there are two extra diver’s extensions, each 11.7mm.

Prices and references

The Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M Master Chronometer Chronograph 45.5 mm, reference 215.20.46.51.03.001, costs €14,700, $17,400. It is available in boutiques from the end of July 2016.

Other references for this watch are available, all from end July 2016:

Steel case, leather strap with rubber lining (reference 215.33.46.51.03.001), price $8,900