Introducing: The New Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Worldtimer In Deep Black With Turquoise Or Gray Accents
Omega’s Deep Black series is a sub-collection within its Seamaster Planet Ocean line. The watches all have a 45.5mm brushed black ceramic case with a 600m depth rating. Today, the brand from Biel/Bienne, Switzerland, adds two new references to the four current ones by introducing the popular worldtimer complication. You have the choice between versions with gray or turquoise accents.
Two years ago, I was at the launch of the Seamaster Planet Ocean Chronograph Deep Black ETNZ Edition in Barcelona. That watch fully catered to the crew on the Emirates Team New Zealand boat that won the 37th America’s Cup. It came with a regatta countdown timer and featured accents in the team’s signature turquoise color. One of today’s references turquoise accents as well. However, it’s not officially linked to ETNZ (as far as we know, anyway). If you’re not into the black and turquoise combination, it’s good to know there’s also a version with gray accents. Let’s take a look.
The Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Worldtimer
As said, all Seamaster Planet Ocean models in Omega’s Deep Black series have a 45.5mm brushed black ceramic case. Depending on the movement inside, though, the watches are a bit thinner or thicker. That’s also why the lug-to-lug measurement varies slightly between the different models. The new Worldtimer versions have an 17.4mm thickness and 51.4mm span from tip to tip. Indeed, these Planet Oceans won’t easily fit under the sleeve of your dress shirt. Then again, the formal context isn’t the one these watches flourish in.
The new Planet Ocean Worldtimer has a unidirectional ceramic bezel made using laser ablation. The majority of the surface has a raw finish, while the elevated numerals on it have a polished finish. There’s a luminous dot for the 60-minute marker, which emits green light and corresponds with the lume on the minute hand. The rest of the lume on the hands and dial emits a shade of light blue.
At the 10 o’clock position, we find a crown for the helium escape valve, and the crown at 3 o’clock allows you to wind and set the Omega 8938 automatic caliber inside. These crowns have either turquoise or gray ceramic inlays.
A North Pole perspective
The dials of these new Planet Ocean Worldtimers truly set them apart from the rest of the Deep Black series. The centerpiece is made of titanium. On it is a laser-ablated and varnished representation of Earth as seen from the North Pole. Then, on a lower level, there’s a rotating 24-hour disc that helps display the time in most other time zones. The dial’s outer ring is brass and contains the applied hour markers, the city ring, a date window at 6 o’clock, and a honeycomb texture.
On one version, the sea on the world map, the tip of the seconds hand, and the edge of the dial are all turquoise. On the other version, all these details are light gray. Another interesting difference is the color of the lume. On the turquoise version, the lume is conventional white. However, on the gray model, the lume is also gray. Omega says this is a new gray version of Super-LumiNova. Finally, the turquoise version’s handset has a brushed finish, while the gray model’s hands have a polished black finish.
A METAS-certified worldtimer
Inside the new Planet Ocean Worldtimer is the same Co-Axial caliber 8938 that powers the Seamaster Aqua Terra Worldtimer models. This automatic movement runs at a frequency of 25,200vph, features 38 jewels, and has a power reserve of 60 hours thanks to its double barrels. If you look through the exhibition case back, you’ll see the rhodium finish on both the bridges and the rotor. They also carry Omega’s signature arabesque Geneva waves. Furthermore, the screws, barrels, and balance wheel all have a black finish.
Once the watches are assembled, they go through rigorous testing by METAS. The organization’s Master Chronometer certification ensures the watches are resistant to magnetic fields of 15,000 gauss, water resistant to 600 meters, and accurate to between 0 and +5 seconds a day. The ceramic and sapphire case back closes with a Naiad lock, which ensures the engraving is always in the right orientation. This is less of an issue with a display case back, but it’s still a nice feature.
The Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Worldtimer on the wrist
Just like the chronograph version of the Deep Black Seamaster Planet Ocean, these Worldtimers are among the big boys in the watch world. A 51.4mm lug-to-lug isn’t even that bad on a watch with a 45.5mm diameter. However, a slightly less than 19mm thickness is quite hard to hide. I guess it’s necessary to achieve the 600m depth rating, and if that’s important to you, I think you’ll also be tough enough to handle the Planet Ocean Worldtimer’s size.
To be honest, I thought those Seamaster Planet Ocean Chronograph ETNZ editions looked perfectly at home on the wrists of the sailing crew in Barcelona. It was exactly the right context for a watch like that. The same is true for the new Worldtimers. I think this new complication also fits the sailing theme very well. Just make sure you wear this watch in a more casual context with sportier attire, and it’ll do just fine. But yes, a slightly bigger wrist than average might indeed help with wearability.
Regarding the looks, the monochrome version is my favorite. The turquoise accents are nice and look good in contrast with the Deep Black background, but the black and gray version looks more badass. I think that’s what counts for a watch of this size. It might also just be my favorite because I love the new gray shade of Super-LumiNova.
What do you think?
The new Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Worldtimer in Deep Black with turquoise or gray accents costs €16,400. Each version comes on a curved-end rubber strap with a sailcloth texture, contrasting stitching, and a folding clasp made of ceramic and titanium. Let me know what you think of these new references in the comments below. Which one is your favorite?
