Pre-Baselworld 2016 – Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 600m Master Chronometer 39.5mm Sedna Gold (specs & price)

There are quite a few things to say about this new watch by Omega. Yes, indeed, it looks like most of the others Seamaster Planet Ocean 600m, with the same style case, the same sort of hands and dial and the same diving capacity. However, 3 things are new and you can see it in its name: Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 600m / Master Chronometer / 39.5mm / Sedna Gold. You spotted it: new movement (and used for the first time in the Planet Ocean collection), new and smaller size and finally a new material. And whatever the brand says about it, for us it’s not a ladies’ watch but rather an elegant “unisex” edition. Overview of this new toolish but luxurious diver by Omega to be introduced at Baselworld 2016.

As of now, the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 600m was available in 4 sizes: one edition dedicated to men with a 45.5mm case, one for the GMT editions at 43.5mm, one more “unisex” edition at 42mm (even if clearly, the buyers are mainly males) and one edition dedicated to ladies at 37.5mm. Then, in terms of materials, the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 600m was mainly available in stainless steel (like this one, or this one) but also in titanium, in platinum (for a few limited editions like this one) and in 18k red gold. Finally, the 3-hands edition with date were all coming with a movement of the 8500 family (chronometer movements, co-axial escapement, free sprung-balance system with silicon balance-spring, double barrel and automatic winding). This was the case until now…

Even if visually extremely close to its sisters of the collection, the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 600m Master Chronometer 39.5mm Sedna Gold changes everything in the details: new movement, new dimensions, new dial, new materials and even new strap. Same same but better… First thing to note is the introduction of the new series of movements by Omega, the Master Chronometer (introduced in the Globemaster and coming with the METAS certification, explained in details here and here), that is used for the first time in the Seamaster Planet Ocean collection. This new edition features the Calibre 8801 (visible thought the caseback) with the same architecture as the 8500 (Co-Axial escapement, double barrel and automatic winding) but now with highly antimagnetic properties (as resistant to 15,000 Gauss). It seems that for the coming years, Omega will implement the Master Chronometer movements in the entire range of watches – and they have already started in the Speedmaster collection, with the new antimagnetic chronograph with moon-phase.

Then, not only the movement is new but so is the size of the case. The new Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 600m Master Chronometer 39.5mm Sedna Gold takes place right in-between the 42mm and the 37.5mm (definitely intended for ladies). At 39.5mm, Omega says this edition to be a ladies’ watch but we have to disagree. It could easily be seen as a large feminine watch but also as a more restrained men’s watch, for those in need of something dressier, more understated – or simply for those with smaller wrists, as the 42mm is already quite a large, thick and heavy watch. The last update concerning the case is that not only has Omega increased the size of the ladies model (or decreased the size of the men’s edition… up to you) but also reworked it “for a slightly thinner case”. Something that we’ll confirm after a hands-on.

The latest update concerns the materials used in this Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 600m Master Chronometer 39.5mm Sedna Gold. As said in its name, its case is made of Sedna Gold, Omega’s own alloy for a more scratch-resistant pink gold, with no discoloration. This specific pink gold is used for the case, the buckle, the case back but also for the hands and the indexes. Then, the bezel is made with brown Ceragold – brown ceramic filed with liquid pink gold to create seamless numerals and scales. Another change is the chocolate brown dial (also a novelty, as this colour has never been used by Omega) that is now made in ceramic (see the Zr02 inscription on the dial). Finally, the strap combines rubber and alligator skin when the previous ones were classically made in alligator skin only.

For the rest, this new Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 600m Master Chronometer 39.5mm Sedna Gold stays faithful to the collection, with a 600m water resistance, an helium valve place at 10 o’clock, large arrow hands and baton indexes all filled with luminous material. Price: not yet revealed but expect around 18,800 Euros inc. taxes in Europe. More details on www.omegawatches.com.