In April 2007, Antiquorum put on the ‘Omegamania’ sale in Geneva. The sale of vintage Omega achieved two things. Firstly, it brought in an impressive CHF 6.5m – that’s more than three times the pre-sale estimate. Secondly, and far more importantly, it set the scene for an incredible renaissance of the Omega brand that continues to this day.
Although it has a history that is just as impressive as Rolex, Omega has for decades been seen as the big R’s poor relation. No more.
Omegamania reminded the world what a rich heritage the brand enjoys and the value of used examples of most of its models has been climbing ever since.
While the vintage Omega market has been blossoming, the firm has been slowly but surely producing more and more impressive new models too. Its latest, the Seamaster Planet Ocean Liquidmetal, is the best yet. A stunning upgrade to the already hugely popular Seamaster Planet Ocean line.
The original Seamaster was released in 1948. And so 1,948 is how many Omega will produce of this new, limited-edition showcase model. The firm is effectively ‘testing’ two important new technologies here: the use of a ceramic compound for its bezel as well as something it is calling ‘Liquidmetal’.
Sound odd? Yes, it did to us too. Ceramic bezels we understand (how we love the new GMT-Master II bezel, for instance) but ‘Liquidmetal’? Here’s how Omega expains it:
“The Liquidmetal® alloy is an amorphous metal – a metallic material with a disordered, non-crystalline atomic structure. Its fusion temperature is half that of conventional titanium alloys but when it is cooled, its hardness is three times as great as that of stainless steel. Its amorphous structure allows it to bond seamlessly with the ceramic bezel.
The Liquidmetal® is a bulk metallic glass alloy consisting of five elements: zirconium, titanium, copper, nickel and beryllium. A bulk metallic glass can, by virtue of its low critical cooling rate, be formed into a structure with a thickness of more than a tenth of a millimetre. Zirconium is an important constituent part both of the Liquidmetal® alloy and of the ceramic material which is made of zirconium dioxide (Zr02).
The final, perfectly smooth bezel is particularly resistant to scratching and corrosion because of the hardness of the two components.”
Yeah. Well, whatever.
If, like us, you care more about results than technical mumbo jumbo about how they are achieved then all you need to know is this: the resultant finish is incredibly durable and looks absolutely stunning.
The watch shares almost everything else with Omega’s standard version of the Seamaster Planet Ocean and that’s no bad thing. You get Omega’s excellent Calibre 2500 Co-axial automatic mechanical COSC Chronometer certified movement wrapped in a body that is water resistant to 200 metres. The steel case and bracelet are also the same classic dimensions: the watch is 42mm wide and the bracelet 22mm.
The only Omega in the Prodigal watch collection at the moment is a lovely, 1960s pre-moon Speedmaster. If we were in the market for a new model though, this Liquidmetal Planet Ocean would be at the very top of our list.
The Prodigal Fool
Straight-Six
Patito
Lady B
Straight-Six
25 October 2009
impressive indeed! Bravo, Omega.
But let us be clear: Omega and Blancpain can lay historical claim to being among the first, and even the first, to have produced the quintessential diver’s watch. However, it is the Rolex Submariner that reigns supreme here whether you like it or not.
Surely it’s then a waste of time for any other brand to even attempt to enter these waters?
I’m sure this watch ain’t cheap and the question then remains: what’s the point?
Pick yourself up a matte dial Sub on a NATO strap and let Omega prance around with it’s Terminator-like alloys and derivative ceramic bezel.
The Prodigal Fool
25 October 2009
Since your recent ‘wobble’ (ahem, during which you traded your entire watch collection for a couple of vintage Subs), you’ve become a crazed Rolex fan. It seems that unless it carries the hallowed crown logo on its face, you’re not interested. That’s a shame, dear boy, because you’re missing out on the incredible diversity that makes the watch world so captivating.
Straight-Six
25 October 2009
That’s too easy an argument to make, old friend.
Vintage coronet-crazed? Absolutely. But a brand facist? Never.
Sure sure, this limited edition ticks a number of boxes and its construction is titillating. But is this a seminal watch, one which will stand the test of time as, say, the Sub has? I think not. It’s just more horological entertainment.
I espouse diversity and the excellence it gives rise to. But let’s refrain from applauding the efforts of what is a derivative design in more ways than one…
The Prodigal Fool
25 October 2009
Bah humbug.