The New Omega Ploprof, Ultra Deep, And Planet Ocean Seamasters In Summer Blue
For the 75th anniversary of the Seamaster collection, Omega also decided to reintroduce the Ploprof (1200M) in a size that is close to the original from the 1970s. In addition, we find a new dial color for the Planet Ocean 600M and Ultra Deep. These three watches are Omega’s finest when it comes to water resistance, and they’re now available with distinctive Summer Blue dials.
All 11 references that Omega announced to celebrate the Seamaster’s 75th anniversary feature special blue dials. The depth of the blue differs from model to model and depends on the water resistance of the watch. This is why the Aqua Terra models have a light shade of blue, the 300 and Diver 300M are a bit darker, and the ones that can really go deep have dials that go from a light shade of blue in the center to a very dark blue periphery.
Planet Ocean 600M 215.30.40.20.03.002
Let’s start with the new Planet Ocean 600M. Back in 2005, Omega introduced this collection, so it’s a relative youngster in the brand’s longest-running family model family. The Planet Ocean has been an incredibly successful collection from the start with orange accents on bezels and dials. A Planet Ocean graced James Bond’s wrist in Casino Royale (ref. 2900.50.91), Quantum of Solace (2201.50.00), and Skyfall (232.10.42.21.03.003). The Seamaster Planet Ocean has also often been a platform for Omega’s innovations, such as the Liquidmetal and ceramic bezels as well as the chronograph caliber 9300 from 2011.
Caliber 8800
The 75th-anniversary Seamaster Planet Ocean is based on the 39.5mm version housing Omega’s in-house-developed 8800 movement. This caliber has a Master Chronometer certification and a Co-Axial escapement, and it also powers some other Seamaster models.
A great size for the Planet Ocean 600M
The 39.5mm case wears incredibly well, and although I had my eye on the 42mm version for a while, I think this size suits me better for a Planet Ocean. It’s a great, compact size for a watch with a depth rating of 600 meters. It comes on the stainless steel Planet Ocean bracelet, which I think I prefer over the Seamaster Diver 300M and Aqua Terra bracelets due to the all-brushed look. It’s also a comfortable bracelet on the wrist.
The case back of the Planet Ocean features a beautiful engraving of Poseidon (with his trident) and two seahorses. Here, you will find the original seahorse that Omega used in 1956 and the current design.
Summer Blue dial
This new Planet Ocean 215.30.40.20.03.002 features a blue ceramic bezel with a light blue diving scale. The dial is in the Summer Blue color scheme that Omega introduced for this collection and has a gradient finish. The hands are blued and, together with the hour indexes, are filled with a special blue version of Super-LumiNova.
The retail price of this Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M 75th Anniversary edition will be CHF 6,500.
Ploprof 1200M 227.32.55.21.03.001
Among all the new Seamaster 75th Anniversary references, the biggest surprise for me is the new Ploprof 1200M. I was saddened that the stainless steel Ploprof 1200M was discontinued after 10 years in the collection (2009–2019) and was then only available in titanium. But the Ploprof in steel is back! What’s more, Omega decided to bring it back in smaller dimensions, coming as close as possible to the original 1970s PloProf 600M.
The monobloc case is back
Omega also brought back the monobloc case while also keeping the automatic helium valve. A monobloc case is not a guarantee that the crystal will pop off in the decompression chamber after a saturation dive. It all depends on how the crystal is attached to the case. The new PloProf also has a screw-down crown and the famous pusher at 2 o’clock to “release” the bezel for bidirectional rotation. The bezel insert is made of sapphire, just as it was on the previous steel model.
O-megasteel for the Ploprof
As you can see in the images, the steel of this Ploprof ref. 227.32.55.21.03.001 has a beautiful luster. That’s because Omega used its O-megasteel alloy, which was first introduced on the Ultra Deep in 2022. This steel is more scratch resistant and has a brighter shine.
This time, there’s not a mesh bracelet but instead a comfortable perforated (Isofrane-like) rubber strap with the Ploprof name on the keeper and Omega logo on the buckle. It’s inspired by the original rubber straps that came with the PloProf back in the 1970s.
Sun-brushed Summer Blue dial
Also, here you see that Omega’s Summer Blue found its way to the dial, bezel, security pusher, and rubber strap. The dial has a sun-brushed finish, as Omega refers to it, with light blue hour markers and blue hands in two different shades. Due to the watch’s ability to go as deep as 1,200 meters, the dial shows a darker blue than the other models, except for the Ultra Deep. In case you don’t know, the original PloProf 600M that hit the market in 1971 also had a blue dial.
A new size for the steel Ploprof
With this new size for the Ploprof, slightly smaller than the previous steel and current titanium models, it will make a lot of fans happy. That said, the larger PloProf also fits my wrist perfectly, and it is more comfortable on the wrist than the specifications make you think. This has to do with the fact that the lug-to-lug is rather compact at 48mm, while the width of the watch is 55mm. The new Seamaster PloProf 1200 in O-megasteel is slightly more compact (45mm × 55mm × 15.5mm) and will fit smaller wrists as well.
Caliber 8912 inside
Omega has equipped the Ploprof 1200M with its caliber 8912. This movement can also be found in the PloProf 1200M titanium models. It’s a Master Chronometer-certified movement, with Co-Axial escapement. Unlike the original 1970s PloProf 600M and the previous stainless steel 1200M, it does not feature a date window. And that’s something I enjoy not having on a watch like this! So good call, Omega, in using the 8912 movement. The movement is hidden under the ribbed case back with an engraved Poseidon in the center.
The retail price for this Seamaster Ploprof 1200M 227.32.55.21.03.001 is CHF 12,500.
Ultra Deep 215.30.46.21.03.002
Only introduced last year, and the Seamaster Ultra Deep is already in for a treat! The model is based on the 2019 Ultra Deep that was sent off to do a 10,935m dive in the Mariana Trench and immediately became the watch that broke the depth record. But let me get back to this in a few sentences because Omega did something remarkable to this watch to commemorate that world-record dive.
Like the other steel Ultra Deep models and the new Ploprof 1200M, this 45.5mm-diameter watch is also made of O-megasteel, including the bracelet. The specifications and dimensions are the same as the Ultra Deep models introduced in 2022.
An Easter egg on the dial
For the Seamaster 75th anniversary, though, and because of the incredible 6,000m water resistance rating, the Summer Blue dial is really dark. The pattern on the lacquered dial that you can see in the pictures should remind you of the depths of the ocean. It is a representation of the Challenger Deep mapped by the Five Deeps team using nearly one million sonar points. But that’s still not the commemorative “surprise” that Omega has in store for the new owner of this watch.
Omega was here!
Just like our Speedmaster Speedy Tuesday “Ultraman” watch, it has a hidden feature that will only “surface” when you shine a UV light on the dial. When you do so, you will see the words “Omega was here!” pointing toward the world-record depth of 10,935 meters and showing the Western, Central, and Eastern Pools.
Poseidon and his seahorses
Inside the Ultra Deep is Omega’s caliber 8912, just like the PloProf 1200M. On the case back, you will once again find Poseidon with his trident and the two Omega seahorses.
The retail price of the Seamaster Ultra Deep 215.30.46.21.03.002 is CHF 11,400.
A few final thoughts on these three Seamaster 75th Anniversary editions
Looking at the eight different models (11 references in total, including the variation of straps and bracelets), I think Omega came up with nice variations on existing watches. The smaller Ploprof is the new addition to the Seamaster collection. The light blue 41mm Aqua Terra models are incredibly nice summer watches in my opinion. They look quite “Mediterranean” but would also do well on your wrist at any beach.
The Ploprof is my favorite
These three models — the Planet Ocean 600M, Ploprof 1200M, and Ultra Deep — are my favorites of the new releases, though. The Ploprof is the clear winner for me as a long-time fan of this quirky-looking diver’s watch. It’s a wonderful combination of the 1970s original PloProf and the later iterations with better movements. The sun-brushed dial gives it a bit of an unconventional look and probably not one that you’ll get bored of anytime soon. The dial of the Ultra Deep is something else, and I like the Easter egg that Omega has put there.
Special dials and case backs
What I like about all watches, besides the Summer Blue color scheme, are the special case backs. I was surprised to see these because, normally, Omega doesn’t hide its pride in its in-house-developed movements and likes to show them off. I like these designs, though. A nice engraving or medallion on a case back is very much appreciated!
Which model is your favorite? Let me know in the comments.
