A Belated Hands-On With The Omega Seamaster Ultra Deep Summer Blue
You might say that Omega’s Summer Blue collection is old news in 2024, and you’d be right. Omega’s Summer Blue line was hot and trendy in 2023, but it’s been a year, and aside from a few underwhelming Olympic models, we have not seen much from the Biel/Bienne-based brand. OK, there were the white-dial and two-tone Speedies, and to be fair, Olympic editions are hardly ever collector cornerstones. Anyway, I thought revisiting last year’s most remarkable release would make sense. And while I’m at it, I figured I’d ask for the big boy of the bunch, the Omega Seamaster Ultra Deep Summer Blue — a “kill two birds with one stone” kind of thing.
Before getting into the details of this model, let me tell you that I’m already puzzled by the name. Is it a Seamaster Planet Ocean 6000M, as it says on Omega’s website? Or is it the Seamaster Professional Ultra Deep, as it reads on the dial? The fact that it’s the Summer Blue edition adds to the confusion. Anyways, from now on, I’ll call it the Omega Ultra Deep Summer Blue, and that’s that.
The Omega Seamaster Summer Blue series
Last year, it was all about the Summer Blue collection at Omega. The brand released not one, not two, but eight refreshed Seamasters with this new light blue hue, from the Aqua Terra and the Seamaster 300 to the Ploprof and the Ultra Deep, just to name a few. My Fratello On Air co-host Mike and I visited one of the Omega boutiques later that year in London and checked every piece out. One thing we agreed on was that the real showstopper was the Ploprof. However, if that were not available, our pick would be the Ultra Deep (for my wrist, at least, as Mike’s is, let’s just say, “not Ultra Deep ready”). While I liked the other Summer Blue models too, I needed to see and wear the Ultra Deep for a while.
Ultra Deep
Luckily, the lovely people at Swatch Group Germany came to assist me, and a few weeks later, the watch landed on my desk. My first impression? It is huge indeed. What else can you say about a watch that is 45.5mm wide, 51.9mm from lug tip to lug tip, and 18.1mm thick? That size also pairs up with a substantial weight of over 250 grams. Usually, this would be the weight of a solid-gold watch, albeit not with such measurements. I have tested, tried on, and worn many watches during my time in the industry. The number is easily in the hundreds if not more. I have never had to get used to a watch. Usually, I’d just put it on, and after a few minutes to an hour, I’d be wearing it like it was mine. With the Ultra Deep, this was not the case.
Wrist presence
Even on my 7.5” (19cm) wrist, the Omega Ultra Deep Summer Blue feels like a giant watch. Then again, you need the size for a timepiece that, theoretically, could go as deep as 6,000 meters. Yes, you read it right. The Ultra Deep can dive six whole kilometers (roughly 20,000 feet or 3.8 miles) underwater. Even if I bought one of these beasts for its €14,400 retail price (with 21% VAT), chances are I’d never go deeper than a couple of meters. Not everyone who drives an Aston Martin is James Bond, right? If you love large watches and are tired of wearing the usual suspect, aka Panerai, the Ultra Deep is something to consider. Now, the Summer Blue colorway is fun. It features light blue like the rest, but it’s not too gimmicky.
While every watch in the Summer Blue lineup utilizes light blue to some extent, there’s a big difference between, let’s say, the Aqua Terra model and the Ultra Deep. To me, the overall dial design paired with the light blue lume and dial/bezel markings is just perfect. The blue 3D Arabic numerals at 12, 3, 6, and 9 o’clock also add a touch of pizzazz to the otherwise severe look of the Ultra Deep. The watch is a conversation starter and not only for its size or color. Aside from the crazy depth rating, it’s also incredibly resistant to magnetism (up to 15,000 gauss) and a certified Master Chronometer with 60 hours of power reserve. The hidden UV message on the dial can only be revealed with a black light; if I had a watch like that, I’d keep a black light with me just in case. That’s how determined I am.
Should you get one?
Yes. That would be my short answer. However, if you want me to elaborate, here it goes. The Ultra Deep Summer Blue (or any other Ultra Deep, for that matter) is a large watch. Therefore, I feel you need to have a certain wrist circumference or shape to pull it off correctly. If you consider getting one, check it out in a store before pulling the trigger. This is the only one that speaks to me out of all the Ultra Deep models. And no, that’s not because this is the most expensive version. It is “only” €400 more than the regular model on a steel bracelet. If you can afford that, you can easily afford this. However, I feel the Summer Blue edition has some flair that the others don’t.
Now, you should not wear it with a suit. Truth be told, even wearing it with a pullover might be challenging. However, it is excellent if you are looking for a summer watch, something to wear with a T-shirt or on the beach while on holiday. You are getting a lot of watch for the money (literally speaking as well). It’s a diver, so don’t expect any hoopla; the watch does what it should, and that’s staying dry underwater. However, while doing it, the Ultra Deep will be highly accurate, antimagnetic, and legible even in the deepest snorkeling conditions. All jokes aside, the Omega Seamaster Ultra Deep Summer Blue is my favorite big-boy watch. If I had the means, I’d seriously consider getting one over, well, you know, the “other brand’s” model. Now, do they make water-resistant UV lights?
