2011 Seamaster Planet Ocean 45.50 mm

In-house inside. Omega has officially released its new collection of Seamaster Planet Ocean watches, consisting of watches with a 42.00 mm and 45.50 mm case diameter, a chronograph with a 45.50 mm case diameter. The most interesting thing is the migration of the new collection of Seamasters to in-house Omega built movements. 

Seamaster Planet Ocean 45.50 mm. The Planet Ocean 45.50 mm is available with a matter black ceramic bezel, a matte orange aluminum bezel and a jewel studded bezel. Like most divers watches. The bezel can be rotated for measuring elapsed periods of time of 60 minutes of less. The dial of the watch displays time and the date on a window at the three o'clock position.

Inside is a Omega Co-Axial calibre 8500 movement, which is built in-house by Omega. The Omega Co-Axial calibre 8500 was first released to the public in 2007 in the Omega De Ville Hour Vision. It is a self-winding movement manufactured by Omega completely in-house. The calibre 8500 has a long 60 hour power reserve and produces 25,200 vibrations per hour.

For those looking for a sportier looking watch, a dial with orange hour markers at the 6-9-12 o'clock position is available. The new 45.5 mm Seamaster can be had with a stainless steel bracelet, a black leather bracelet or a rubber bracelet in black or orange.

Co-Axial escapements. Co-Axial technology is use in the calibre 8500 movement. The purpose of the Co-Axial technology is to reduce the metal to metal contact of the parts in a mechanical watch eventually results in wear and tear which requires maintenance and in the long term, results in a decrease in  the accuracy of the wrist watch.

To reduce wear and tear on the watch mechanism, Dr. George Daniel invented the double Co-Axial escapement. The Co-Axial system reduces sliding friction compared with the lever escapement and thus ensures greater accuracy over time. This means that the escapement requires virtually no lubrication and a drastic reduction in the wear and tear of the watches mechanism.

Deep Sea Diver. Planet Oceans are rated a 600 meters water resistance, and consistent with a watch designed for such depths, they  come with a Helium Release valve (the second crown at the 10' oc'clock). When deep sea divers operate at great depths, they spend prolonged hours in diving bells under pressure breathing a gas mix that contains helium. Helium molecules are the second smallest found in nature an thus available to work its way inside even water resistant watches. When a diver resurfaces, the helium which built up inside the watch starts to expand quicker than it can escape, leading to an increase in pressure inside the watch. This can cause great damage to the watch. The valve allows for these gases to be release.

About Omega SA. The forerunner of Omega was founded 1848, by Louis Brandt. The name Omega was first used in 1894. It was used as the name of one of the Louis Brandt brother’s watch movement calibers.