Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean
- a real functional diver’s watch
- the finishing
- a reliable and accurate caliber with C.O.S.C. certification
- a little too heavy watch
- the brightness that keeps it away from the tool-watch range
| Brand | Omega |
| Model name | Seamaster Planet Ocean |
| Reference | 2201.50.00 |
| Case material | Steel 316L |
| Case diameter (without crown) | 42 mm |
| Case diameter (crown included) | 44,50 mm |
| Movement type | Automatic |
| Caliber | Omega 2500 |
| Base Caliber | ETA 2892 / Omega 1120 |
| Functions | Date Helium release valve Hour Minute Second |
| Crystal | Dual-face crystal with anti-reflective coating |
| Power reserve | 48h |
| Transparent back | No |
| Lug width | 20 mm |
| Length from lug to lug | 48 mm |
| Case thickness | 14,50 mm |
| Strap material | Steel 316L |
| Clasp type | Deployment clasp |
| Clasp material | Steel 316L |
| Total weight | 175 grammes |
| Retail price USA at June 16th, 2010 | $2,900.00 |
| Comfort (/15) | 12 |
| Movement (/20) | 10.5 |
| Movement Optimisation / Garnishment (/5) | 2.5 |
| Ease of handling and adjustment (/5) | 4 |
| Movement control proceeded by the Manufacture / horlogical awards (/3) | 2 |
| Power reserve (/2) | 1 |
| Complications (/5) | 1 |
| Finishing (/20) | 15 |
| Dial finishing (/6) | 4 |
| Case finishing (/6) | 4 |
| Quality of garnishment / caseback engraving quality (/2) | 2 |
| Crystal quality (/4) | 3 |
| Clasp finishing (inner and extern) (/2) | 2 |
| Functionality (/20) | 17 |
| Diurnal legibility (/5) | 5 |
| Night legibility (/4) | 4 |
| Water resistance (/3) | 3 |
| Strap : ease of size adjustment + ease of substitution (/4) | 2 |
| Clasp : quality and safety (/4) | 3 |
| Additional items (/10) | 2.5 |
| Limited edition (/3) | 0 |
| Watch delivered with several straps (/2) | 0 |
| Quality of the watch box (/1) | 0.5 |
| Portability with shirtsleeves buttoned (/2) | 1 |
| Goodies included (/1) | 0 |
| Understandability of the brochure (/1) | 1 |
| Value for money (/15) | 14 |
| When to wear it ? | Anywhere, whithout waiting for any secret agent accreditation |
A clever blend between preservation of an identity…
This Planet Ocean revives the esthetical codes of its predecessors borrowing miscellaneous elements from all Seamaster generations:
- the design of the bezel and the hands which are close to the 1957 model
- the shape of the case with its beautiful lyre lugs (named after its similarity to the music instrument), which are common to the Speedmaster
- the helium valve appeared with the Seamaster Bond in 1993.
… and an update of the model
But it is has also been able to interpret its codes in a new way in order to modernize them and create a current watch:
- circled markers and very bright – time is easily legible all night long!
- sapphire glass with double anti-reflective coating
- waterproof until 600 meters…
By the way, Omega remains down to earth, by increasing the classic waterproof up to 300 meters (common to most of the diver’s watches) without looking for quite useless new depth record.
Thus, a clever blend, between the preservation of an identity and an update of the model, an often difficult balance to reach without excess.
Moreover, it allows to get a restrained sized watch, although a little thick and heavy, a feeling lessened thanks to the comfort of the metal strap.
The strap, a model of its kind
This strap is a model of its kind: a simple and elegant design, a safe and convenient clasp well merged with the rest of the strap.
It thus does not offer any hold at all that may take off the strap.
It also includes an extension for wetsuit that is included in the clasp, easy to access but with a safe blocking.
No big fuss, no convoluted system. Efficiency and safety.
About the movement
As for the 2500 caliber and its coaxial escapement, which, after several youth mistakes, happened to be very reliable and accurate. Its ETA 2892 base, an already wellborn caliber from the beginning, enriches itself with an optimized self-winding (as on the previous versions of the Seamaster) along with Dr Daniels’ famous coaxial escapement.
To put it in a nutshell, this system allows an increasing of the isochronisms accuracy on the long term thanks to a less important levee angle of the balance.
Conclusion
In short, a simple but efficient Omega watch, really designed for diving.
Even if its detractors will think that it is a little too much bright.
Maybe, but the time of real tool-watch has revolved…. to the benefit of formal diving watches.
