The History and Development of the Omega Planet Ocean

Omega produce a number of watch styles under the umbrella ‘Seamaster’ range. A variety of styles from solid sports watches to slimmer, elegant dress watches. One of the more specific, distinct ranges has been the ‘Planet Ocean’.

Omega Planet Ocean Skeleton Case Co-Axial 8500 Movement

Omega Planet Ocean

  
Omega have been making divers watches since the 1930’s. In 2005, Omega began manufacture of the Planet Ocean, derived from their famous Seamaster range of sports watches. Visually similar to the first Seamasters from 1957, modern day Planet Oceans benefit from modern-day watch technology. It is the first dive watch to be fitted with Omegas Co-axial movement.
Current Planet Oceans are available in two case sizes, with either a 45.5mm or 42mm diameter. Other than size, the only difference between the two is that one the smaller model the chasing on the edge of the bezel is finer. All Planet Oceans have a unidirectional rotating bezel with a distinctive luminous dot at 12 o’clock. Also they are made with a screw-in crown and case-back, giving the watch its watch resistance to a depth of 600m (2,000ft). A helium escape valve is also fitted to the watch, enabling (as the name suggests) helium gas to escape during decompression, therefore protecting the watch from damage.
These watches have a painted dial (usually black).The movement has a power reserve of 48 hours. There are hour markers with luminous Arabic numerals at 12, 6 and 9 o’clock. At 3 o’clock there is a clearly-designed date window which is easy to read. The watch has a sapphire glass with an anti-glare coating. They are all made with stainless-steel cases, featuring the Omega symbol and the seahorse medallion (denoting it as part of the Seamaster family) on the reverse of the case. Planet Oceans are available on either stainless-steel bracelets, black or orange rubber straps or black or orange leather straps.
The reference numbers for the various models are :-
2201.50.00 stainless steel black, stainless steel bracelet
2209.50.00 stainless steel orange, stainless steel bracelet
2901.50.91 stainless steel black, rubber strap
2909.50.38 stainless steel orange, leather strap
2909.50.91 stainless steel orange, rubber strap
2201.51.00 stainless steel black, stainless steel bracelet, numerals orange
2901.51.82 stainless steel black, rubber strap, black, seams orange
2901.50.81 stainless steel black, rubber strap black, seams white
2909.50.82 stainless steel orange, rubber strap black, seams orange
2909.50.83 stainless steel orange, rubber strap orange
222.63.42.20.01.001 red gold, black, leather strap
222.60.42.20.01.001 red gold, black, gold bracelet
2200.50.00 stainless steel black, stainless steel bracelet, big size
2208.50.00 stainless steel orange, stainless steel bracelet, big size

Author S Chadd