Just months after Omega fitted its Seamaster Planet Ocean dive watch collection with new models that feature the Omega Master Chronometer certification, the Bienne-based watchmaker this week again expands its Planet Ocean range with four black-ceramic-cased models.
Called Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Deep Black, the collection adds touches of color and gold to a one-piece 45.5-mm case of black zirconium oxide ceramic (ZrO2 technically, referred to as ceramic) complemented with similarly black ceramic bezels and dials. Cheap Omega Replica has devised a ceramic case for this collection that has been tested for water resistance to 600 meters, or about 2,000 feet, which the firm claims is the first ceramic watch case tested to reach such depths.
The Planet Ocean Deep Black models differ by accent color (red, blue, black, or gold) and one features its bezel, crowns, hands and indices forged from Omega’s own 18k Sedna gold (above). All also boast a new GMT ring that has been fixed to the dial, while each model’s diving scale is built directly into the ceramic bezel using markers and numerals made with Liquidmetal (a substance used in other Omega Replica Watches models and by other brands throughout the Swatch Group) or Ceragold, a proprietary Omega gold-ceramic alloy.
Omega injects red or blue vulcanized rubber directly into the bezels of two models to colorfully mark the 15-minute dive-time indication, as well as to match the hands and the 12, 6, and 9 indication colors on those models. (You’ll find similar color accents on the steel Planet Ocean watches that debuted at Baselworld this past March.) Rubber-injected “He” marks the Helium valve on the red and blue models, while the symbol is in Liquidmetal on the black model.
Two Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Deep Black models — the Black and the Sedna gold versions — feature ceramic cases and dials polished for a glossy effect. The blue- and red-accented versions feature cases and dials that are matte finished, which Omega Replica says offers better visibility underwater. For the gold model, Omega uses its 18k Sedna gold to accent the hands and indices; the three other Deep Black dials feature hands and indices of 18k white gold.
A look at the caseback of these new Deep Black models reveals more than a clear view of that Caliber 8906, which features a silicon balance spring, Omega’s proprietary Co-Axial escapement and a 60-hour power reserve. Developing a new ceramic case for dive models necessitated new technology, specifically a patented ceramic Naiad Lock, to ensure a water-resistant caseback for a material rarely used to case dive watches. With the caseback thus locked tight, Omega added another aesthetic touch to the Seamaster Planet Ocean Deep Black design by orienting the caseback so that the engraved wording always sits perfectly in position, with “Deep Black” at the top of the caseback and “Planet Ocean” below.
Aeschlimann added in a statement that the new Deep Black collection “takes everything we’ve learned and developed over the years and combines these advancements into a truly striking collection of timepieces. It is a momentous occasion for Cheap Omega Replica to be here in New York and to share these watches for the first time.”
