EVOLUTION OF THE PLANET OCEAN
Exactly 20 years after the first Planet Ocean was released, OMEGA’s watchmakers have returned to this emblematic collection, producing a complete revamp for the modern era. This 4th generation presents a new aesthetic structure, with noticeable changes to the case and bracelet architecture, as well as technical updates that ensure the performance and quality are at a premium standard.
Still, however, the Planet Ocean’s essential character is not lost.
The new chapter unfolds with the unveiling of seven new Co-Axial Master Chronometer models, including those in the signature orange colour that defines OMEGA’s diving history. All three feature ceramic bezels, but the materials used for the diving scale differ: the orange version uses hybrid ceramic, while the other two use white enamel.
A PIONEERING HISTORY
The Planet Ocean embodies OMEGA’s passion to explore. Infused with the brand’s legendary diving DNA, it has always carried an ambition for discovery, expressed not only at sea, but also through its pioneering watchmaking designs.
THE INSPIRATION SINCE1957
The very first Planet Ocean models were inspired by OMEGA’s Seamaster 300 timepieces of the late 1950s and early 1960s. This allowed the brand’s signature diving watch DNA to remain at the heart of the 2005 design. Borrowed features included the readable black dial with quarter-hour Arabic numerals, arrowhead hands, and the diving scale bezel with an inner ring.
THE 1ST GENERATION – 2005 – EXCELLENCE AT DEPTH
The Planet Ocean marked another significant milestone in OMEGA’s diving watch heritage. Engineered to reach ocean depths up to 600m – double the water-resistance of the Seamaster Diver 300M – it offered a level of innovation to meet the most demanding underwater expeditions.
LIQUIDMETAL™ INNOVATION
The next important design update came in 2009, when Liquidmetal™ was used for the first time in a Swiss watch.
THE 2ND GENERATION – 2011
2011 welcomed the Planet Ocean 2nd generation – with notable updates that included ceramic bezels and Liquidmetal™ innovation, glossy dials, sapphire crystal casebacks, and the Calibre 8500. Although this movement had been in production for several years, the 8500 version used in the 2011 Planet Ocean integrated OMEGA’s innovative Silicon Si14 balance spring, enhancing the magnetic resistance of the watches.
ACHIEVING ORANGE CERAMIC – 2014
Until 2014, all of the Planet Ocean’s orange bezels had been produced in aluminium. Achieving the perfect orange colour in ceramic has always been a difficult technical challenge. OMEGA finally found success with a Planet Ocean GMT in 2014, crafted in platinum, with an orange ceramic bezel.
THE 3RD GENERATION – 2016
Introduced in 2016, the Planet Ocean 3rd generation was equipped with Co-Axial Master Chronometer movements, transforming the collection with the Swiss industry’s highest standard of precision, performance, and magnetic resistance.
This was also the year that the Planet Ocean Deep Black was released, producing four diving watches made entirely from ceramic that could withstand the pressures of the ocean at a depth of 600m
ULTRA DEEP – 2019
After reaching the deepest place on Earth in 2019, the ground-breaking Ultra Deep watch was repurposed into a new publicly available Planet Ocean collection in 2022. The incredible divers’ range is water-resistant to 6,000 meters (20,000 ft), Master Chronometer certified, and certified to meet the ISO 6425 standard and for saturation diving.
Highlighting OMEGA’s innovative spirit, six of the watches were crafted in new O-MEGASTEEL, a high-performance stainless steel alloy notable for its strength, whiter color, excellent corrosion-resistance, and incomparable shine.
THE 4TH GENERATION EVOLUTION – 2025
At first glance, it is clear to see that the Planet Ocean has undergone a distinctive aesthetic evolution for its 4th generation. Here, we explore this year’s updated character, which balances the classic Planet Ocean design with a contemporary edge, and in some models, the essential orange colour that has been part of the collection since 2005.
For the 4th generation, OMEGA has again returned to its Seamaster history, reviewing models from the 1980s and 90s, and borrowing some of their structural concepts. As a result, we see a new “fitted” approach to the watch’s design with sharp and angular surfaces.
Each new Planet Ocean is sized at 42 mm – the very same as the original models from 2005. As well as being slimmer, these watches are also flatter than previous Planet Ocean models, thanks to the flat sapphire crystal on the front, and an overall refinement across the entire case and bezel. Compared to the 16.1 mm thickness of the standard 3rd generation models, these new watches have been entirely reworked to achieve a thickness of just 13.79 mm.
With the case shape changed, the Planet Ocean bracelets also required a transformation. They now appear uniquely integrated into the case and reveal a series of flat links. Respecting the Seamaster’s heritage, these bracelets are slimmer than before with an optimum standard of comfort. They are adjustable to six positions and are equipped with OMEGA’s extra diver extension.
OMEGA has kept the signature arrowhead hands and the bold applied indexes that are filled with
Super-LumiNova, yet one new difference is the Arabic numeral typography. The numerals
are now open-work and squarer, with a sharper look to match the case and bracelet. OMEGA logo is in rhodium plating.
Architecturally, the 4th generation Planet Ocean reveals a dramatic new casebody structure. Made in two parts, including the main body and the inner titanium ring, the overall design reveals lines that are sharper and edges that are more defined. To better suit the new design, OMEGA has also removed the helium escape valve, which has been a defining part of the collection for 20 years.
Instead of sapphire crystal, the new Planet Ocean watches now feature screw-in casebacks made from Grade 5 Titanium. This has again helped to refine the dimensions of the watch, while reducing weight and enhancing strength.
When designing the Planet Ocean Ultra Deep in 2019, OMEGA significantly advanced its understanding of diving watch technology. This knowledge has now been passed onto future timepiece designs, including this year’s new Planet Ocean. On the case body, each model reveals an inner ring made of titanium, which provides the material strength required to seal the watch when diving at depth.
The inner ring was an aesthetic part of the Planet Ocean in 2005 and the Seamaster 300 of the 1960s. With this new technical design, OMEGA has been able to keep the same look, but also give the inner ring a functional benefit that is suitable for the watch’s 600m water-resistance.
The colour orange has been associated with the Planet Ocean collection since the very beginning. When creating this year’s new range, OMEGA wanted to ensure that this vibrant shade remained on offer to customers.
When creating ceramic bezel rings, however, orange is a particularly difficult colour to master. Due to the chemical properties and processes involved, it is a significant challenge to produce a shade that looks good on the wrist. Especially for this updated collection, OMEGA has spent time perfecting its ceramic craftsmanship and has achieved a vivid new orange colour that appears on several bezels.
MASTER CHRONOMETER CALIBRE 8912
All watches are driven by the OMEGA Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 8912 – which has been previously used in the Ultra Deep models. The self-winding movements offer 60 hours of power reserve and meet the highest standard of precision, performance, and magnetic-resistance, as approved by the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology (METAS).
