The Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean with Practical GMT Functionality
The Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean with Practical GMT Functionality
A new professional dive watch collection joined Omega’s catalogue in 2005 named the Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M. When it comes to materials, functionalities and design, the Planet Ocean watches are indeed modern. However, Omega designed these models taking inspiration from its heritage of diver’s watches.
Today, the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean is the brand’s signature professional dive watch series that renders substantial variations. However, you will find chronographs, as well as GMT editions of Planet Ocean timepieces. The Seamaster Planet Ocean GMT lineup debuted in 2013, and the brand upgraded the line in 2016.
Thus, the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean GMT integrates the qualities of a genuine travel watch and a professional diver timepiece. Eventually, it makes them an ideal do-anything and go-anywhere time-telling companion. Let’s dive into details about this luxury watch that sports practical GMT functionality.
Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean GMT: The First Generation
Omega introduced the Planet Ocean collection in 2005, and the Planet Ocean GMT joined the series after eight years in 2013. Interestingly, the watchmaker also launched a new 43.5mm case diameter with this series. This case size sits in the middle of the prevailing 45.5mm and 42mm Planet Ocean cases.
However, the Planet Ocean GMT models are water-resistant up to 600m like other watches in this collection. They also feature a highly luminescent dial and a helium escape valve at the 10 o’clock side. Well, many Planet Ocean versions come with unidirectional dive 60-minute bezels. On the contrary, the GMT models feature bidirectional rotatable bezels with 24-hour markers.
The fact is that the GMT hand works in collaboration with the 24-hour bezel to display the second time zone. However, an exclusive design feature on the Planet Ocean is the brand’s signature double-wide arrow hands. Both the minute and hour hands feature big arrow tips.
The dial also flaunts a date display at the 3 o’clock side, tapered index hour markers and Arabic markers at 12, 9 and 6 o’clock sides. Moreover, an anti-reflective coating domed sapphire crystal protects the Planet Ocean GMT watch face. Furthermore, Omega equips the case back with a sapphire crystal that gives you the movement’s view powering the watch.
The Movement
The first generation of Planet Ocean watches packs the Calibre 8605 self-winding movement that offers a power reserve of 60 hours. The watchmaker fitted the movements with its popular C-Axial escapement technology. However, it possesses less friction compared to the ever-present lever escapement.
The first-generation Planet Ocean GMT watches are available in many materials, colours and bracelet options. Two of the famous Seamaster Planet Ocean GMT models are –
The Planet Ocean GMT Reference 232.30.44.22.01.002 is a stainless steel model with a steel case, bracelet and black dial and bezel. The black dial is accentuated by orange numerals.
Another one is the Seamaster Planet Ocean GMT ‘GoodPlanet’. It sports a vibrant orange and blue colourway.
The Planet Ocean GMT METAS-Certified GMT Models
Omega introduced the new Planet Ocean GMT Master Chronometer in 2016. However, the appealing part is the new generation Calibre 8906 movement that powers the timepieces. And it is a METAS-certified movement. Thus, Calibre 8906 ensures exceedingly precise time-tracking and magnetic resistance up to 15,000gauss.
In design, Omega retains the same 43.5mm case diameter on the new Planet Ocean METAS-certified GMT models. They also feature a ceramic bezel. However, the new models sport bi-tone ceramic bezels featuring a black section and a white part. What makes these bezels different from others?
You might be familiar with two-tone bezels, especially among Rolex watches. However, the difference is that other watchmakers craft the two-tone bezels in one colour first, and later they treat them with special chemicals to get two unique shades. For the Planet Ocean GMT Master Chronometer models, Omega brings together two different coloured ceramic pieces to create the bezel.
The Omega Planet Ocean GMT Master Chronometer watches are currently available in stainless steel. They feature a black-and-white bezel and a black dial. However, these models offer you only two choices – a black leather strap and a stainless steel bracelet.
The Planet Ocean Ceramic GMT Watches
A new sub-collection, Planet Ocean GMT ‘Deep Black’, joined the catalogue in 2016 featuring full-ceramic cases. However, these watches come with GMT functionality but are significantly different from their earlier Planet Ocean siblings.
The Planet Ocean ‘Deep Black’ comes in a 45.5mm wide case with a thickness of 17.8mm. Moreover, they sport a unidirectional timing bezel rather than a bidirectional rotatable 24-hour bezel. And the Calibre 8906 METAS-Certified movement powers these timepieces.
