The Seamaster collection by OMEGA has a long history of revolutionary technology and innovative new materials. This year, that technical legacy continues with the release of the new Planet Ocean Dark Grey – a bold timepiece crafted in silicon nitride ceramic [Si3N4]; and the Planet Ocean Deep Black ETNZ Edition – launched during OMEGA’s special event at the preliminary Regatta in Vilanova, Spain, last month.
Planet Ocean Dark Grey
This is the first time that silicon nitride has been applied by OMEGA on such a large scale in a watchmaking piece. The result? An adventure-ready timepiece that promises toughness, while keeping the weight down. The lightness of silicon nitride ceramic gives customers an extra level of comfort on their wrist, while the robust qualities provide reliable strength for serious explorations.
In design, this dark grey material has been used for the 45.5 mm casebody, patented NAIAD LOCK caseback, and bezel ring. Elsewhere OMEGA has used contrasting Grade 5 titanium for the bezel body and strap folding clasp, as well as the sand-blasted dial with its anthracite hands and indexes. This particular standard of titanium is favoured by the aerospace industry. While accentuating the watch’s durable integrity, it does so without adding too much weight.
Keeping with the theme, the movement has embraced a dark aesthetic too. The OMEGA Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 8906 in Grade 5 Titanium is an ultra-light creation with a GMT function that guarantees a sublime level of precision and performance. It sits just behind a sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on both sides. The entire watch is water-resistant to 600 meters, in keeping with the Seamaster’s impressive ocean
technology.
Planet Ocean Deep Black ETNZ Edition
To mark the rapidly-approaching America’s Cup in Barcelona in 2024, OMEGA produced a logo-inspired tribute to the defending champions, Emirates Team New Zealand (ETNZ). In one year, the Auckland-based crew will be giving it their all to keep the world’s oldest sporting trophy in kiwi hands. To help them catch the breeze, OMEGA has drawn design inspiration from the sail of the ETNZ logo to produce a unique America’s Cup collectable.
The 45.5 mm Seamaster Planet Ocean blends the deepest black with the turquoise of the Emirates Team New Zealand logo. Complementing the black ceramic case is a unidirectional bezel in brushed black ceramic with
white enamel diving scale and triangle-framed dot at 12, which includes white Super-LumiNova to emit a green glow in the dark.
On the matt ceramic dial, OMEGA has included a nod to pre-race protocol with a COUNTDOWN INDICATOR at 3 o’clock, complete with flagged START. The indicator’s hand and subdial ring are in Emirates Team New Zealand logo turquoise, along with the minute track, number 12, and central seconds chronograph hand with America’s Cup trophy counterweight. OMEGA has also included the colour on the rings of the brushed black ceramic pushers, the “He” on the helium escape valve and the OMEGA logo on the crown.
As a salute to the kiwi crew, the NAIAD LOCK caseback has an Emirates Team New Zealand logo with turquoise fern and white lettering. Providing the power inside the watch is OMEGA’s Master Chronometer Calibre 9900. OMEGA presents the watch on a black and turquoise structured rubber strap with turquoise stitching and black ceramic clasp and offers three ways to switch out the look: an additional rubber strap and two NATO straps, all in complementary colours.
