Baselworld 2017 OMEGA Seamaster Planet Ocean “Big Blue”

Among the Baselworld 2017 OMEGA novelties, one that really stood out was the new Seamaster Planet Ocean “Big Blue.” OMEGA’s newest GMT dive watch is unapologetically big and blue, just as its name reveals. Let’s dive in and take a closer look.

The Robustness of  the Baselworld 2017 OMEGA Seamaster Planet Ocean

OMEGA newest GMT dive watch that could not be more aptly named. Coming in with a case diameter of 45.5 mm and encased in bold blue ceramic, the Seamaster Planet Ocean “Big Blue” lives up to its title. A successor to 2016’s popular OMEGA Seamaster Planet Ocean “Deep Black”, the “Big Blue” continues OMEGA’s journey into the art of ceramic watchmaking.

Though OMEGA began experimenting with ceramic only eight years ago, today it is one of the manufacture’s favorite materials. Six times harder than steel, ceramic is scratchproof and its robust nature prevents it from discoloration. Thus, ceramic is the perfect material for such functional watches as OMEGA’s Speedmaster and Seamaster.

A professional dive watch that’s capable of resisting 60 bar of pressure (that’s water resistance to a whopping 600 meters!) and withstanding magnetic forces of up to 15,000 gauss, this certainly is a functional timepiece.

Not stopping at practicality, however, the Baselworld 2017 OMEGA Seamaster Planet Ocean looks great on the wrist as well. The OMEGA “Big Blue” is certainly not a shy watch. In fact, it’s one that commands attention wherever it goes.

The Attractiveness of  the OMEGA “Big Blue”

Beautifully complementing the watch’s blue dial, bezel, and strap are the vivid orange highlights. There’s the bezel’s orange GMT track, followed by the dial’s orange numbering and logo details, plus the orange GMT hand, and finally the watchstrap’s orange stitching and edges. Adding even more pop, this Seamaster’s arrow minute, hour, and second hands and indexes come in 18k white gold with a white Super-LumiNova coating ensuring the watch’s legibility at depth and in low-light situations. Blending in with the unidirectional rotating bezel more discreetly, on the other hand, is a diving scale with gray Liquidmetal numerals.

The design of this watch was clearly well thought through as revealed by the little details. On the dial, below the hand’s central post, for instance, the wearer will find the discretely etched chemical name for zirconium dioxide, or rather the type of ceramic that makes up the dial and case of the “Big Blue”. Additionally, unlike the hands and indexes that stand out, the date window at 3 o’clock reveals a blue disc. As a result, the blue blends in nicely so as not to compete with the watch’s other elements. The screw-in crown of the Seamaster Planet Ocean “Big Blue” is at the typical three o’clock position, while the helium escape valve sits at 10 o’clock.

Finishing off the design of this bold beauty is a blue rubber strap. Interestingly, the strap has been remarkably designed to look like a weaved fabric. Treated with an antibacterial coating and featuring a wave pattern on the underside, this strap is held in place by a blue ceramic fold-over clasp.

OMEGA Master Chronometer Caliber 8906

Powering this sports watch is the OMEGA Master Chronometer caliber 8906. The automatic co-axial movement reveals itself via the screw-in sapphire crystal caseback. To achieve Master Chronometer status, the 8906 passed eight rigorous tests set by the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology (METAS). Backed by a 4-year warranty, OMEGA’s trust in this timepiece’s quality is clear. Moreover, it offers a generous 60-hour power reserve.

Also on the caseback of the “Big Blue” is a unique invention by this manufacture: the ceramic Naiad Lock. This patented locking system keeps the watch sealed and maintains the alignment of all the engravings on the case’s rear. Yet another demonstration of OMEGA’s attention to detail.

Available from October, the Baselworld 2017 OMEGA Seamaster Planet Ocean “Big Blue” is the perfect partner for deep sea dives. Yet, it wouldn’t be surprising if the daring chose to wear it in the boardroom too. In the meantime, if you can’t wait that long, then check out our inventory of pre-owned OMEGA Seamaster watches.