Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean watches

In 2005, Omega added a professional diving watch to their catalog: the Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M. As its name implies, this timepiece is water-resistant to 600 m (60 bar, 1,969 ft). It also features a helium escape valve – an essential feature for saturation dives. Furthermore, Omega equips this watch with a unidirectional bezel and bright, luminous hands and indices.

Despite its professional specifications, the Planet Ocean is far from your average tool watch. Its design is equal parts sporty and elegant. The case with a screw-down helium escape valve at 10 o'clock is modeled after the Seamaster Professional 300M, while the hands and indices come from the original Seamaster from the 1950s. The hour markers are trapezoidal, and the hour and minute hands have large arrow tips. The dial also features Arabic numerals at 6, 9, and 12 o'clock.

Omega offers several different versions of the Planet Ocean. The gold and two-tone editions are especially elegant, and some even boast diamonds and other precious gems. If you'd prefer something with a sportier look, you should consider one of the stainless steel, titanium, or ceramic models. In addition to various materials, you can choose from several case sizes ranging from 37.5 to 45.5 mm. Thus, the Planet Ocean is a fantastic option for both men and women.

The manufacturer outfits these timepieces exclusively with automatic calibers. Older models come with modified ETA movements. However, those produced in the last few years all have in-house calibers with co-axial escapements and Master Chronometer certification. Omega offers three-hand editions, chronographs, and watches with a GMT function.

The Planet Ocean collection is vast and covers a huge price range. Older models from the early 2000s mark the entry point to this series. You can recognize these timepieces by their black or orange aluminum bezel inserts and stainless steel screw-down case backs. They also have black dials with the inscription "Co-Axial Chronometer" above the depth rating at 6 o'clock. This inscription is a reference to the caliber 2500, an ETA 2892-A2 that Omega has outfitted with their proprietary co-axial escapement.

Expect to pay around 3,700 USD for a three-hand timepiece with a bright orange aluminum bezel like the ref. 2208.50.00. Those looking for a black bezel should check out the 2200.50.00, which sells for about 4,800 USD. Prices for pre-owned models sit at roughly 3,300 USD.

Since its introduction in 2005, Omega has overhauled the Planet Ocean's technology twice. The initial update came in 2011 when the manufacturer launched the first model with an in-house caliber – more specifically, the caliber 8500. As of 2014, every Planet Ocean comes with the caliber 8900, which boasts Master Chronometer certification from the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology (METAS). To earn this distinction, a movement must demonstrate both high shock resistance and an ability to withstand magnetic fields up to 15,000 gauss. Alongside the new caliber, Omega also introduced new colors and replaced the aluminum bezel insert with a ceramic one. Now, you can choose from models with a black, blue, gray, brown, or orange bezel. The black version is also available with its diving scale's first 15 minutes in orange rubber. In terms of the dial, options include black, blue, brown, gray, and white. Current stainless steel models cost between 5,000 and 5,400 USD, depending on the color combination. Pre-owned pieces generally demand 480 to 600 USD less. Watches with titanium cases come in at around 6,900 USD. If you're looking for a Planet Ocean in Sedna gold, be prepared to spend anywhere from 16,500 to 19,500 USD based on the case size. The 18-karat white gold ref. 215.58.44.21.07.001 occupies the top of the price range. It is limited to a run of 88 pieces and features baguette-cut diamonds and sapphires on its bezel. Set aside around 92,000 USD for this exclusive timepiece.

GMT Watches and Chronographs

The Planet Ocean collection also contains chronographs and watches with a GMT function. The latter are available in stainless steel, titanium, or platinum. At 6,000 USD, the titanium version is almost a bargain. The stainless steel edition is only slightly more expensive at around 6,400 USD. There is a big jump in price to the platinum Planet Ocean GMT (232.98.44.22.01.001), which demands roughly 69,000 USD.

The collection's chronographs come in your choice of stainless steel, titanium, Sedna gold, or a two-tone design. You'll also find watches with diamond-studded bezels. Prices for stainless steel models range from 6,600 USD for the version with a black dial and ceramic bezel to 18,000 USD for the variant with a diamond bezel. If you choose a titanium chronograph, you should be prepared to spend between 6,400 and 8,300 USD. The two-tone editions combine stainless steel and Sedna gold and generally cost about 12,500 USD. Finally, a Planet Ocean in solid Sedna gold will set you back around 23,500 USD.

The Planet Ocean has been available in a ceramic case for several years now. Deep Black models are made of black ceramic, while the Big Blue stands out in radiant blue. Omega equips both versions with a GMT function, which can display a second time zone. A never-worn Planet Ocean Big Blue requires an investment of roughly 9,300 USD. Pre-owned, this watch sells for about 7,200 USD. Prices for the Deep Black fall between 8,300 and 12,000 USD, depending on the exact model and its condition. The model with Sedna gold elements, including the bezel, crown, and hands, changes hands for around 13,000 USD. Omega also offers both the Deep Black and Big Blue with diamond-studded bezels and crowns. These timepieces demand anywhere from 150,000 to 175,000 USD. ​

Fans of sailing will enjoy the edition designed for the Emirates Team New Zealand (ETNZ). The main difference between it and the collection's other models lies in the color of its bezel. The first ten minutes of the ETNZ version features New Zealand's national colors: blue and red. The case back is also different. Instead of sapphire crystal, it is made of ceramic and engraved with the ETNZ logo. Prices for these timepieces come in around 8,800 USD.

The Deep Black is also available with a stopwatch function. Orange accents on the bezel, push-pieces, and rubber strap lend this chronograph a fresh appearance. Set aside around 9,500 USD for a Deep Black chronograph.

The Planet Ocean collection includes a few special editions. Models like the Planet Ocean Skyfall and Planet Ocean Quantum of Solace pay tribute to secret agent and long-time Omega wearer, James Bond, and the corresponding films. From a technological perspective, these watches are identical to the standard Planet Ocean; however, their designs include several Bond-specific details. For example, the dial of the Planet Ocean Quantum of Solace (Ref. 222.30.46.20.01.001) has the same pattern as the grip of Bond's Walther PPK. It also features an inscription of the movie's name. The Planet Ocean Skyfall ref. 232.30.42.21.01.004, in turn, boasts a grid-pattern dial and the "007" logo at 7 o'clock. Both editions are limited to runs of 5,007 pieces. You can purchase one of these diving watches for between 5,800 and 7,600 USD new. They rarely appear on the pre-owned market.

Omega has long been the official timekeeper of major sporting events such as the Olympics. The Swiss manufacturer often releases special models in honor of the Games; for example, the Planet Ocean Olympic Games Chronograph, the Planet Ocean Pyeongchang 2018, and the white Planet Ocean Sochi Olympics. Prices for these timepieces range from 4,500 to 6,300 USD.

Omega has also dedicated a watch to Olympic record holder Michael Phelps. This 45.5-mm chronograph features a white dial with blue hands and indices. A few orange accents liven up the design. The bezel features the same color scheme. Here, blue ceramic is paired with white numerals and an orange rubber insert for the first 15 minutes. The rubber strap is also blue and orange. Phelps' name and initials appear on the sapphire crystal case back. Omega limited this watch to a run of 280 pieces, and today it sells for around 12,000 USD.