Words: Alex Woodhall
The Omega Seamaster is one of the most iconic watches of all time, no doubt about it. First introduced in 1948, making it one of the early dive watches, before a distinct surge in popularity during the mid 1950s. It is generally only rivalled by the Rolex Submariner when it comes to dive watches, although the watchmaker’s longtime association with all things Bond has pushed the Seamaster above its aquatic nemesis.
At Baselworld 2016, the brand made good on its promise to update the Seamaster’s Planet Ocean collection, the first major update since the Planet Ocean Chronograph timepieces in 2011. The new watch, as you’d expect, draws on Omega’s incredible, long lasting heritage and affinity with the sea. A history that has seen the brand’s timepieces worn by explorers and pioneers such as the divers in the British Royal Navy in 1957 and American naturalist, zoologist and explorer Charles William Beebe in the 1930s.
This new breed builds on that storied past with the use of innovative modern materials, production processes and an everlasting passion running through all 38 new models, navigating new waters when it comes to watchmaking. The latest generation are the sum of some of the most inventive substances in the horological world, and passed eight rigorous tests set by the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology (METAS).
The cases of the 39.5mm, 43.5mm models and 45.5mm chronographs, are made from stainless steel or 18K Sedna™ gold. The dials and bezels are testament to the craftsmanship and ingenuity, created from ceramic for a sleek elegant effect that is enhanced and strengthened by Liquidmetal® or Ceragold™ numbers and scaling.
The overall appearance is an ode to subtlety, timelessness and everlasting style. Slight tweaks in the design include from predecessors include Arabic numerals, an alveol screw-in caseback and the new transferred minutes track. Dig a bit deeper, and the attention to detail reaches new depths. The applied indexes are coated with white Super-LumiNova, emitting a blue light, while the minute hand and dot on the diving bezel glow a complimentary green – assisting divers with keeping track of the time underwater.
The pick of the collection is the 43.5mm GMT model, which introduces a bi-ceramic bezel, Omega’s first. The contrasty black and white ring and markings, separate night from day and it’s powered by the impressive new Master Chronometer GMT 8906 movement – which can be seen through the transparent case back. Its water resistant to 60 bar (600 metres / 2000 feet), has a helium-escape valve and is available in stores from this month with either a steel or leather strap.
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