Omega’s unique take on the worldtimer has become something of a staple on the Aquaterra collection thanks to its depiction of the earth from a top down view placed at the center of the dial. This week, Omega is introducing this combination into the Planet Ocean collection by way of two configurations set into black ceramic cases. The result is a combination rarely seen, but one that works surprisingly well nonetheless. One of the new watches continues Omega’s trend of using bright turquoise, which stands out here in stark contrast to the black and white surroundings. This might not represent the Planet Ocean updates we’ve been waiting for, but it’s a new direction all the same.
Omega’s worldtimer complication is powered by their master chronometer caliber 8938, and uses a 24 hour ring framing the depiction of the planet as seen from above. Each timezone is represented by a city labeled at the dial’s perimeter. As far as worldtimers go, this is relatively straightforward in nature, and doesn’t interfere too heavily with the overall legibility of the watch, which is a bit more important in the confines of a diver. The outer section of the dial which houses the hour markers gets a honeycomb texture, adding another level of intrigue to the dial. A date aperture is also placed in this section at the bottom of the dial.
This is set within a 45.5mm case constructed in black ceramic with a uniform brushed finish. At a, let’s call it healthy, 17.4mm in thickness, this Planet Ocean is not for the faint of heart. In its defense, the watch does offer a 600M depth rating, allowing you to track the timezones of the world at a greater depth than any other worldtime out there. The use of ceramic and a rubber strap keep the weight somewhat in check, at 143 grams it’s not exactly a heavyweight, but the size of the platform itself may be the bigger issue.
There are two different variations of this PO being launched, one that sticks with a fully black and white theme, and another that introduces turquoise into the mix. The color goes well against the matte black and further lends itself to a broader part of Omega’s identity within the Seamaster range. It’s the same color that appeared on a new Aquatimer earlier this year, and it sets a distinct tone.
At a glance, this seems to be a watch with something of an identity crisis. Seeing a worldtimer in this context, complete with a helium release valve at the 10 o’clock is a bit disconcerting, and is a clear indication that genres are just as much an indication of design codes to be adhered to rather than any practical classification. That said, these watches are still plenty capable, and now can be mixed and matched in unexpected ways. I’m still waiting for a proper new generation of the Planet Ocean in a more basic guise, but that seems a distant possibility with releases such as this.
The Omega Planet Ocean Worldtimer will be available this summer, and is priced at $14,800. Omega