Omega's New Flagship Dive Watch ---- Seamaster Planet Ocean "Deep Black"

　　Over the past decade, Omega has steadily developed new technologies to enhance watch quality, ranging from the widespread adoption of co-axial escapements across its movements to the ceramic cases of the Dark Side of the Moon introduced over the past couple of years. The latest launch, however,the Seamaster Planet OceanDeep Black watch brings all these innovations together into a single timepiece, offering impressive functionality despite its high price tag.

　　The Deep Black watch is available in four versions, all sharing the same fundamental characteristics. At the very top of the range is the black ceramic and 18K Sedna gold model, while the other three are entirely ceramic in different colours, priced consistently.

　　The Planet Ocean case is precisely crafted entirely from black ceramic; it feels large and substantial with a diameter of 45.5 mm, though short lugs allow it to fit smaller wrists comfortably. The red and blue versions feature brushed satin finished cases, whereas the Sedna gold and all-black models showcase alternating brushed and polished finishes. The latter is undoubtedly more striking, with a particularly pronounced contrast at the junctions.

　　Even more interesting than the case material is the case back, which is a screw-in design. This is the first watch to feature a ceramic screw-in case back threaded directly into a ceramic case, with Omega naming its threaded system the Naiad Lock, after the mythological queen of the water nymphs.

　　Ceramic watch case backs are usually either fixed with adhesives or feature a metal back that screws into a metal sleeve inside the ceramic case. This is because the hardness and brittleness of ceramic make threads prone to cracking under pressure.

　　In the Deep Black, however, Omega employs a specialised, slightly resilient ceramic that makes the Naiad Lock screw-in case back possible. Both the case back and case feature large, wave-like serrations that engage when screwed down, compressing an internal rubber gasket to ensure water resistance. The screw-in case back positions precisely every time, ensuring the Omega logo and lettering always align correctly and remain level. Omega's efforts have paid off, with the watch offering water resistance of up to 600 metres, making it fully capable of saturation diving, hence the helium escape valve positioned at the 11 o'clock position on the case.

　　In addition, the bezel is also crafted from ceramic. On the gold model, the bezel markers are rendered in Sedna gold, while on the all-black model, they are marked in Liquidmetal, an amorphous metallic alloy with a glass-like atomic structure.

　　On the blue and red models, Liquidmetal markers are combined with rubber inserts on the bezel. Personally, I feel the lifespan of the rubber could be a concern, as rubber is subject to ageing—otherwise, why would watches require waterproof seals to be replaced every 4 to 5 years? This material certainly cannot endure for millennia the way ceramic can.

　　The entire dial is also made of ceramic—the all-black and gold models feature mirror-polished dials with a high-gloss finish, whereas the red and blue versions have a frosted, matte texture. A closer inspection of the dial reveals hands and hour markers crafted from 18K gold, complemented by precise printing.

　　The movement is equally high-tech, featuring the 8906 Co-Axial Master Chronometer calibre. Thanks to key components in the escapement and a proprietary silicon balance spring alloy, its anti-magnetic resistance exceeds 15000 gauss, meaning you can wear it safely during an MRI scan. The 8906 also includes a secondary time zone function, which can be easily adjusted via the crown. The overall finishing maintains the style established since the 8500 movement family, with bridges decorated with Geneva waves in arabesque and bevelled edges, representing a superior standard of finishing for this price bracket.

　　All four versions of the Planet Ocean Deep Black are fitted with a rubber strap featuring a newly developed antibacterial coating to prevent odours and mould during extended wear. The Sedna gold model is additionally supplied with an alligator leather strap, while the other three come with an additional fabric strap.

　　All of these robust features come at a significant cost; the Deep Black is priced almost on par with the Dark Side of the Moon, even though the latter arguably offers more complex functionality.

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