Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean GMT Watch Review wrist time watch reviews
Omega Seamaster and Seamaster Planet Ocean http://www.buyijoy.com/replica-omega-speedmaster.html get a fair amount of attention at Watch for good reason, and today we are going to look at the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Co-Axial GMT in detail. So why all the love? First of all, we are serious dive watch guys even though not all of us actually dive. Such is the power of the high-end sport watch and the allure of “desk diving.” Omega has evolved a lot over the last decade but is thankfully strongest where it counts when producing refined tool watches with a lifestyle twist. When the Planet Ocean versions of the classic Seamaster were originally released in 2005, they were touted as a more durable, high-end range of divers meant to compete with timepieces such as the Rolex Submariner- but without fitting into the same exact mold.
While the Submariner and GMT-Master II watches are decidedly more classic and traditional-style sport Replica Omega Planet Ocean , the Planet Ocean collection has a different approach, being about modern size, style, and options. Omega more-or-less produces the archetype of a modern luxury dive watch, while the competing Submariner (which we would really argue is a distinct animal) focuses more on being the “timeless dive watch.” We mention this because given the size and popularity of these two major Swiss watch makers, they more-or-less set the bar for what you should get when investing in a sub-$10,000 diver's watch that has an in-house made movement from a “big name” brand. Sorry to disappoint anyone looking for a clear winner between the timepiece icons: they are both excellent in their own respects. I would also venture to suggest that these are each watches that can exist in the same collection or rationally appeal to two equally sophisticated people with slightly different styles and tastes.
Allow me to say that the Planet Ocean timepiece range has always been very difficult to photograph as well as reproduce in marketing images. While the Replica Omega De Ville look lovely when Omega dolls them up in fancy photography, you really need to see one in the flesh to appreciate it. Omega designed the case, dial, and sapphire crystal to play with light in a particular manner that is simply hard to capture in photography. While the watch is very legible, Omega offers it with a curved crystal and reflective elements on the dial on purpose. It is supposed to offer a “hint of bling” that adds a twist to the otherwise sober refined package. It is an item that literally plays with the light, being an almost flirtatious item on your wrist. What does this mean practically speaking? Well let’s compare it to another dive watch we really like that in some ways is much more conservative – the Tudor Pelagos (reviewed here). In non-reflective brushed titanium with a flat crystal and perfectly matte dial elements, the Pelagos in many ways is the perfect German tool-watch (even though it is Swiss). It looks nice without asking for extra attention and is “duty ready” whenever you like without ever suggesting a party. The Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean is also an extremely capable professional dive watch, but is a bit cockier in its demeanor. It wants to show off a bit and demands attention. If you choose to wear an Omega Planet Ocean exclusively while diving or during other intense activity it will complain that you two never go out for drinks anymore. So while it is a real dive watch, it tends to enjoy looking good in the process.
Omega has also really made an Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean for everyone. In addition to a range of colors and dial styles, there is a three-hand, chronograph, and GMT model available. The latter, which I am reviewing today, is the newest version of the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean and was released in 2013. In addition to adding a GMT complication, it also adds a third case size in addition to the existing 42 and 45mm wide models. The GMT is 43.5mm wide and in my opinion it is the perfect size for an Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean. You know what, a lot of people at Omega agree. The people on their product development team as well as the CEO feel that this bowl of Seamaster porridge is just right for them. While the 42 and 45mm wide Planet Oceans are nothing to scoff at, I truly like this middle size model. Oh, and just to clarify, the three-hand version of the watch is available in both 42 and 45mm wide sizes, while the chronograph is only offered in the 45mm wide case.
Omega needs to appeal to a lot of different types of consumers all around the world, which helps explain why there are so many different dial options even within the GMT collection. This particular model is the black dial and bezel with orange trim that includes orange colored Arabic numerals. You get the conservative look of the mostly black dial, with a hint more sportiness with the orange numerals. There is also the orange-tipped GMT hand as well as “GMT” label on the dial. For review I have a version of the watch on the high-end rubber strap, but of course the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean is only truly complete on the matching metal bracelet. Having said that I really so also like the strap. Surely you can have the watch with both, but at this time there isn’t a quick strap changing system that some other brands such as IWC have been building into their watches. I only say this because in the future it would be great if Omega made it more convenient to seamlessly go from a strap to a bracelet.
Perhaps the biggest complaint most people have about the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean collection is the thickness of the case. If I had any complaints it would really be only that. The case isn’t inordinately thick, nor do I feel it is at all disproportionate. Most of the time I even like the heft on my wrist, but having said that I find that when a sport watch has a slightly lower profile I tend to wear it just a bit more often. Some people even complain about the modern Rolex Submariner being too thick – which I actually find quite slim for a dive watch. Though it is worth mentioning that compared to the Submariner’s 300 meters of water resistance, the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean has 600 meters of water resistance. At some point that extra durability becomes a mere bragging right, but that does require a thicker case and sapphire crystal.
What’s more is that with the 600 meters of water resistance you also get a sapphire crystal exhibition caseback window allowing a view of the movement. That is actually quite rare to find on divers that can go this deep. I may have just unknowingly offered Omega’s precise rebuttal to the issue of case thickness without attempting to do so, but I felt the issue deserved some discussion as it is something people bring up.
The classic design of the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean case never seems to look out of place or anything but handsome. The mostly brushed or satin-finished case has polished flanks made up of swoopy lines that help emphasize its shape. The lugs remind me a bit of big cat claws and it wouldn’t be an Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean without the helium release valve. The mostly vestigial nature of this latter feature has been well documented, but it nevertheless adds a sense of traditional style to the design in the same way that tachymeter scales do on many racing chronograph watches (like the Speedmaster).
While most Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean watches have unidirectional diver’s style bezels, the GMT has a 24 hour scale on the bezel and it turns in both directions. Normally I would say that this rotating offers a third time zone, but in this instance is best used as the scale for the 24 hour GMT hand. That is because unlike some other GMT watches, there is no independent fixed 24 hour scale on the dial. Yes, that does lessen the functionality of the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean GMT just a little bit, but having said that I’ve never personally found it necessary to track a third time zone when traveling or at home so it was never an issue for me. You can still use the bezel as a timing bezel as well if you line it up to the minute hand as you would a traditional diver’s style bezel.
Dive watch bezels are a key discussion point these days so I am not done talking about the one on the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean GMT. The outer bezel is steel, but with black ceramic and matte chromium nitride numerals/markers on the insert ring. A lume pip is further located at 12 o’clock. Scratch-resistant ceramic is used and in this case the markers and numerals and applied. This isn't Omega's more permanent Liquid Metal technology, that some Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean models have. As I understand it Omega is trying to roll out Liquid Metal more, but it is still technically challenging from a production standpoint.
Luminant on the dial is excellent. Those “broad arrow” style hour and minute hands never look bad and the thick amount of two colors of SuperLumiNova on the dial really make it glow brightly in the dark. Omega ensures that lume is also placed on the seconds hand, as well as the GMT hand. The dial further includes the case which is integrated into the 3 o’clock hour marker against a black dial. I like how the date font is silver versus white to meld with the rest of the dial as nicely as possible.
So let’s talk movements. Today, all Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean watches contain in-house made Omega movements. Omega is moving toward an “all in-house made” policy more and more, and the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean range has always been among the first timepiece families to get new movements (in addition to the Aqua Terra family). With the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean GMT Omega debuted its caliber 8605 Co-Axial automatic chronometer, which is based on the 8500 movement family. Omega fits it with a lot of desirable tech, including, of course, their lauded Co-Axial escapement technology. The movement also has some silicon parts, including the escapement as well as the hairspring. Like other Omega-made movements the 8605 is beautifully made with a luscious variety of polished surfaces and a grand presentation that befits a timepiece of this value. So another good reason Omega designed the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean with an exhibition caseback window. The movement of course is COSC Chronometer certified for accuracy.
While I am very much a metal bracelet guy, I do happen to be very fond of the high-end rubber straps Omega has been using for the last few years on Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean models. This one comes in black with orange stitching to match the colors on the dial. It also has a fold-over deployant strap and sits snugly and comfortably on the wrist. Oh, and even though the watch case is in steel, the deployant is in titanium. I tend to recommend the rubber strap for actual sport because it secures the watch better, but for more formal or casual situations the bracelet is a very good choice.
It would be difficult to dispute that for the most part the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean GMT speaks for itself. Omega has rather rapidly moved upmarket over the years with their dive watches but they haven’t ignored the fact that they need to include a lot of extra value to justify their prices. With a world-class design, in-house made movement, excellent parts, and killer ceramic and Liquid Metal bezel, there isn’t much else others offer that Omega hasn’t done as well or better. It makes for a solid diver or all around daily wear. You’ll choose the particular version that is right for you, but it is really hard to go wrong with an Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean in most situations. This particular Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean GMT ref.