Exclusive Pics: A First Look at the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Ultra Deep

Fridays are never a bad thing; they are always welcome. But last Friday, Team Watchonista had all the more reason to look forward to the final day of the workweek because we were treated to an exclusive Zoom preview of the first of Omega’s new releases for 2022. Presented by Omega Vice President Jean-Claude Monachon and Head of Product Management Gregory Kissling, there was also even a lively guest appearance from CEO Raynald Aeschlimann to shed further light on the fresh models.

Then, today, we followed up Friday’s presentation with a visit to Omega HQ in Bienne, where we went hands-on and took live shots of these new releases, fresh off the watchmaker’s bench. Including the innovative Seamaster Planet Ocean Ultra Deep.
 

Officially released today, the new 45.5mm x 18mm Seamaster Planet Ocean Ultra Deep series can be used at depths as deep as 6,000m – actually, more like 7,200m, given the 20 percent security margin built in to reach ISO 6425 certification. And this mind-blowing water and pressure resistance is achieved thanks to a triumvirate of innovations.

Firstly, there is the overall design concept. The new Seamaster Planet Ocean Ultra Deep series has four patents pending: One each for the caseback, the conical crown, the crystal gasket, and the shape of the sapphire crystal (which allows for better stress distribution at extreme pressure levels). The design is such that the watch can dispense with a helium valve.
 

Then, there is the specific production process for the sapphire crystal, entailing Edge-defined Film-fed Growth (EFG). That is created by Comadur, part of the Swatch Group’s stable of holdings. Essentially, the EFG process can produce a totally defect- and porous-free sapphire that will maintain its integrity at 6,000 plus meters.

Finally, developed by Omega with one of its partners, there is the pioneering alloy called – and you’ll like this – O-MEGASTEEL. While the watch is available, like the concept watch, in all-matte Grade 5 titanium, there are now versions in O-MEGASTEEL that, according to the brand, offer up to 50 percent more mechanical resistance and hardness compared to more stainless steels used commonly in watchmaking.
 

Five years into development, O-MEGASTEEL is also noticeably whiter and brighter in its appearance. Plus, Omega has made sure this aspect stands out by deploying a combination of contrasting finishes – polished and satin – to the case and, where applicable, the bracelet.

And as a side note, to have the Ultra Deep certified to ISO 6425 standards by METAS, Omega had to adapt its own helium leak testing facilities to account for depths of up to 15,000m, where previously it had only been able to test up to 1,500m.
 

Inside the Ultra Deep beats Omega’s Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 8912. Meanwhile, the caseback of each watch features a black laser-engraved Sonar emblem, with the iconic Omega seahorse at its center, surrounded by the words “Divers’ watch 6000m for saturation diving.”

Like it has done in the past, Omega is once again setting new standards with the Seamaster Planet Ocean Ultra Deep. With its three pillars of innovative design, state-of-the-art sapphire production, and cutting-edge O-MEGASTEEL helping to take the classic dive watch to a whole new level, this isn’t some quirky concept piece. It is an outstanding new flagship model of the already diverse Seamaster collection.