OMEGA Seamaster Planet Ocean “Liquidmetal” – A Ceramic-bezel Planet Ocean is here

You see it here first, watch fans!  The word is out on OMEGA’s foray into ceramic components with new technology it calls “Liquidmetal” – the Seamster Planet Ocean Limited Edition “Liquidmetal” cermic bezel is here!   This is undoubtedly a big deal for OMEGA and I expect this to be very, very popular amongst its fan base and well-received by watch enthusiasts in general.  In other words, the new Seamaster Planet Ocean “Liquidmetal” is going to be one highly sought after watch!   Powered by OMEGA’s co-axial Caliber 2500 and limited to 1948 pieces (the year that the Seamaster was first introduced by OMEGA).

Here is OMEGA’s description of “Liquidmetal”:

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.

10/4 update: Here is some more information on how the union of ceramics and Liquidmetal is achieved:

First, ceramic rings are formed. The numbers and the fine lines of the minute scaling are then engraved into these ceramic bezel rings and polished. The alloy is heated and pressed into the cavities in the ceramic material after which any excess Liquidmetal® is removed. The Liquidmetal® can be manipulated at a lower temperature than metals normally used in watchmaking so the heating process does not damage the ceramic material.
The Liquidmetal® numbers and scales are then satin brushed. Because the ceramic is a harder material than the alloy, the satin brushing of the fine details can be done without affecting the ceramic bezel. The numbers and scaling then appear in bold, vivid contrast to the glossy ceramic background.

OMEGA De Ville 4-counters Co-Axial for Gents and OMEGA De Ville Co-Axial Chronometer for Ladies

His and Hers, anyone?

OMEGA announced the that it will soon be introducing two new watches in its “De Ville” collection – one for him, one for her.  The idea here is that these watches will be ready just in time for Valentine’s Day next year.  What a gift that would be, eh?  “Longer lasting than flowers, less fattening than chocolate” Omega says!  Sure, sure - that and about a 100x cost differential!   

I for one haven’t even really started thinking about my Christmas shopping yet, but I suppose in this day and age of consumerism that you gotta start your marketing early!  That and the print publications need the “lead time” (hehehe….silly “old media” – still don’t know that the digital media era is here to stay?! Don’t worry watch fans….First In Watches got you covered in real-time )

My digressions aside, the watches look very nice, acutally….love the white mother of pearl subdials on the ladies watch….check ‘em out:

De Ville 4-counters Co-Axial for Gents

41mm brushed stainless steel case, water resistant to 100m, Calibre 3890 with co-axial escapement and chronometer certification, 4 chronograph sub-dials 

De Ville Co-Axial Chronometer for Ladies

 35mm polished steel case, diamond-set bezel and crown, white mother of pearl (“MOP”) sub-dials, water resistant 100m, black alligator strap

2010 OMEGA Seamaster PloProf white dial (new variation)

The rebirth of a diving legend continues in 2010…

In 2009 OMEGA introduced an updated version of the classic and instantly recognizable wristwatch. Equipped with a Co-Axial calibre 8500, the new Ploprof 1200M is water resistant to an impressive 1200 metres (4000 feet) and it artfully combines its ancestor’s legendary features with OMEGA’s state-of-the-industry Co-Axial technology.  This year Omega extends the successful reintroduction with a new white dial mode of the PloProf.  Gotta say I think this watch might look even better with white dial (vs. black), except the orange rubber strap is a must.  The white strap is, well, very feminine looking. 

OMEGA Speedmaster Professional Apollo-Soyuz 35th anniversary

Great Story Watch…black meteorite dial…

OMEGA Speedmaster Professional Apollo-Soyuz “35th anniversary”
Black meteorite dial with silvery finish subdials in rhodium-plated circling
Limited edition of 1,975 pieces

A very well written history of the Apollo-Soyuz, Courtesy of OMEGA:

July 15th, 1975 marked the beginning of an important chapter in space exploration. On that day the United States launched an Apollo rocket, referred to as the Apollo Soyuz Test Project (ASTP) Command Module and the Soviet Union sent Soyuz 19 into space.
Two days later a remarkable thing happened: the two spacecraft representing these former adversaries in the space race docked and the three astronauts and two cosmonauts met in the middle where they shook hands, exchanged gifts and spoke with each other as they orbited the Earth.
The ships remained docked for 44 hours after which they separated, and manoeuvred to use the Apollo to create an artificial solar eclipse which allowed the crew of the Soyuz to take photographs of the solar corona. Another brief docking was made before the ships concluded their own journeys separately. The Soviets remained in space for five days altogether, the Americans for nine.
It was the first time that spacecraft built by different nations had docked and signalled an era of cooperation in space which would lead to the efforts to build a permanently occupied space station. The mission also marked the end of an era – it was the final flight of the Apollo spacecraft.
While the Apollo-Soyuz mission is best remembered for its political significance, it also resulted in some major technological achievements as neither of the spacecraft, which were completely different from each other, had been built for the purpose of docking.
The American crew was commanded by Thomas Stafford and included Vance Brand and the last of the original seven Mercury astronauts to make it into orbit, Donald K. “Deke” Slayton who had long been grounded due to a heart problem. The two-man Soviet crew included Valeri Kubasov and the first space walker, Alexei Leonov.
Both the Soyuz and Apollo crews were equipped with OMEGA Speedmaster X-33 wristwatches.
The ASTP Command Module splashed down on July 24th, 1975 after 217 hours, 30 minutes in space.
The Apollo era had landed. It would be six years before another American astronaut would fly in space aboard the reusable Space Shuttle. All of the Shuttle astronauts were equipped, of course, with OMEGA Speedmasters.

The Sun Shines and the Omega Solar Impulse Flies!

OMEGA-sponsored Solar Impulse officially makes its maiden flight…

OMEGA announced yesterday:

On a perfect spring day with a clear blue sky over the Swiss town of Payerne and a dramatic Alpine panorama in the distance, the Solar Impulse prototype plane, HB-SIA, took off on its maiden flight at 10 a.m. on Wednesday.  Solar Impulse founders and co-pilots André Borschberg and Bertrand Piccard followed the plane in helicopters throughout its two-hour flight. Borschberg reflected the feelings of the entire team when he said, “After almost seven years of work this is an unbelievable moment for all of us. We were fully concentrated but we were also able to enjoy this remarkable success.”  The Solar Impulse prototype, with its 63-metre wingspan and weighing only 1700 kg, was flown by test pilot Markus Scherdel.

The aircraft successfully landed after its long-awaited maiden flight with a perfect landing at the airport in Payerne after about two hours in the air. The flight proved to be emotionally charged. Bertrand Piccard commented, “I had too many tears in my eyes to see the plane! It went so silently, so softly . . . I’m overwhelmed.”

A beautiful and impressive aircraft, isn’t it?  When I consider that it is solar-powered I am even more impressed!  As you can see in the pictures, OMEGA is one of Solar Impulse’s Main Partners, and has supplied capital, technological and other support.  Of course what would such an arrangement be without a special wriswatch?  Let’s take a closer look at the Omega Solar Impulse aka the Omega Speedmaster HB-SIA Co-Axial GMT Chronograph Ref # 321.90.44.52.01.001:

Titanium case (44.25mm), black carbon fiber dial, Omega Caliber 3603 (COSC)

You may remember our friends at Hodinkee profiled this watch a year ago this month; if not, check out their article now!   Like Hodinkee, I had the opportunity to take a closer look at this watch in the awesome Omega Boutique in New York, and I can attest to its “coolness”.  As you might expect the watch is very light given its titanium case and the carbon fiber dial is a nice touch.  The caseback is also pretty cool:

Price in the boutique is $8,600 if my memory serves me right — but if you shop a bit you should be able to acquire this watch for around $6,000.

As for the Solar Impulse and its ultimate goal? Well, its team dreams that their work will one day result in the ability for man to circumnavigate the globe in a plane powered only by solar energy.  Stay tuned in at http://solarimpulse.com/.

Omega Speedmaster Broad Arrow Co-Axial

Modern makeover for the Speedy…

“What a cool looking watch.”  That’s what I first thought of this new Omega Speedy.  I mean, wow — what an upgrade for the iconic Omega model.  With thoroughbred heritage and all the right little design touches, this new Omega Speedmaster Broad Arrow gets two big thumbs up from me!  Let me count the ways I like this watch:  1) the black, Geneva-striped dial (it comes in silver, too), 2) the red-tipped chronograph counters and seconds hand, and last but certainly not least 3) the honeycombed chronograph subdials.  On top of all this it is powered by an Omega Co-Axial Caliber 3313 movement.  And I like that Omega priced it proudly — price is near $6,000 on the gator strap, add $100 for the bracelet version.

Omega Speedmaster Broad Arrow Co-Axial

44.3mm steel case, Omega co-axial caliber 3313 chronograph movement (COSC-certified) via sapphire crystal caseback; comes on a black alligator strap or bracelet

check out honeycomb!  and the red-tipped chrono hands!

here it is on a bracelet

and here’s a nice “theme-shot”

Omega Ladymatic

The De Ville Ladymatic is back…

And it was no less than Nicole Kidman who recently unveiled the new OMEGA Ladymatic to the world at The Ritz Carlton in Beijing.  Originally launched in 1955 and continuing for the better part of a generation before disappearing, I confess that I had never heard of this model until today.  Technically part of the “De Ville” collection, it was one of the brand’s first self-winding watches to be designed especially for women and it featured the smallest automatic movement OMEGA had ever made.

A whopping 27 variations will be available….a few looks below…

Omega De Ville Ladymatic (2010 reissue)

Nicole Kidman at the launch party in Beijing

One good thing about this reissue is that the watch gets to use newer technology aka Omega’s Co-Axial Caliber 8520/8521 — not available in the 1950′s for sure!

Various options include:  34mm “wave pattern” case (red gold, yellow gold or stainless steel), bezels are polished metal or diamond-set, sapphire crystal caseback, wave pattern dials (black lacquer or mother-of-pearl), plain or diamond-set hour markers, luminous hands, on a matching bracelet or alligator strap (black or white)

So, ladies…if you are you there…what do you think of this watch?

Omega Hour Vision Blue

Good watch, Great Cause…

The OMEGA Hour Vision Blue wristwatch is a special edition of the Hour Vision watch, part of Omega’s De Ville collection. The Hour Vision is a neat watch because the beauty of the movement is visible through the sapphire crystal case back as well as through sapphire glass apertures in the side of the watch case (see close-up photo below).  TheHour Vision Blue is also special because it is produced in support of ORBIS International’s fight against preventable blindness in developing countries (see “Did You Know” below).  I applaud OMEGA for its commitment to donate a minimum of a million dollars to ORBIS International over the next four years.  Kudos to OMEGA Ambassador Daniel Craig who is also involved in the effort.

Omega Hour Vision Blue

41 mm stainless steel case, specially designed “sun-brushed” blue dial, Co-Axial calibre 8500, 100m water resistance, comes on a black leather strap

Did you Know?

According to the World Health Organization, 45 million people worldwide are blind — yet 80 percent suffer needlessly due to lack of proper nutrition and lack of access to adequate health care.

Please read more at:  http://www.orbis.org/

Omega Speedmaster Co-Axial Chronograph Caliber

While I most appreciate the new Seamaster Planet Ocean Titanium Liquidmetal that Omega unveiled at Baselworld 2011, Omega’s new Speedmaster Co-Axial Chronograph is also worth a look.  If you are wondering what is so special about this particular Speedmaster, I’ll tell you:  it is the first Speedy to have an in-house Omega Caliber with co-axial escapement, the new Omega Caliber 9300 (or Caliber 9301).  Lest you forget this important development, Omega has included a “Co-Axial Chronometer” notation on the dial at 6 o’clock, which I think is a nice touch.  The Omega Speedmaster Co-Axial Chronograph price is approx. $7,800.  Deep pockets might prefer the platinum cased model, priced around $35,000, or the 18K red gold version somewhere in between these price points.

Omega Speedmaster Co-Axial Chronograph

44.25mm steel case, Omega Caliber 9300 / Omega Caliber 9301, 100m water resistance, on black leather strap or a stainless steel bracelet

Note the somewhat modified dial layout – just two subdials instead of the classic 3-6-9 o’clock layout.  The right-side subdial has two hands in it (chronograph minutes and hours).

For a live look at the new Speedmaster Co-Axial you can turn to my watch friend RJ and his friendly blog FratelloWatches:

you can click through to Fratello for a couple more pics if interested.

For a little bit of background on the new Caliber 9300/9301, I want to turn to my fellow watch blogger and Omega expert Desmond who runs New Omega Watch Reviews (the man knows his Omega stuff!):  “Despite rumours to the contrary, the new 9300 series has been built from the bottom plate up. It is a 14 lignes column wheel movement, measuring 31.581 mm in width, and while superficially similar in appearance to the calibre 8500 series it has not been piggy-backed off this 29mm diameter movement. It does, however, feature a double barrel power system providing a reserve of sixty hours and is equipped with a tri-level co-axial escapement. The movement has a column wheel transfer and a vertical clutch which Omega developed especially for this series.”

Omega Caliber 9301

vs. the Caliber 9300, the Cal. 9301 is enhanced with a red gold bridge + decorative red gold rotor (pictured).  column wheel chronograph with silicon balance spring

Look for the new Omega Speedmaster Co-Axial Chronograph with Caliber 9300/9301 to become a mainstay in the Omega watch collection.

OMEGA Seamaster Planet Ocean Chrono

The new Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Chronographs are among the best new watches to be announced for 2011.  Like the 2011 Omega Speedmaster I wrote about earlier, the new Omega Seamster Planet Ocean features Omega’s new Co-Axial Caliber 9300 movement (itself the first in-house Omega Caliber to feature a chronograph function).  I like the 45.5mm case size (smaller wrists can often wear this watch) and the orange “PloProf” (diver-style) mini-chronograph hand on the 3′oclock sub-dial is really a great touch.  As well, the watch boasts the usual Planet Ocean diver features including 600 meter water resistance rating, unidrectional rotating bezel, helium escape valve — all of the high quality divers we have come to expect from Omega.  The new Caliber 9300 chronos are available in the variations shown below, black ceramic or orange bezel insert.  Available Fall 2011.

OMEGA Seamaster Planet Ocean Chrono Cal.9300/9301

black bezel

OMEGA Seamaster Planet Ocean Chrono Cal.9300/9301

orange bezel

“Theme Shot”

Omega Speedmaster Apollo 15 40th Anniversary Watch

Let’s hear it for the Red, White and Blue…

Get a look at this beautiful new Omega Speedmaster Apollo 15 watch which pays tribute to the 40th Anniversary of the Apollo 15 mission.  Apollo 15 officially landed on the moon on July 30, 1971.  This is the second watch Omega has done in tribute to the Apollo 15 mission (see FLASHBACK below).  Apollo 15 was the ninth manned mission in the American Apollo space program, the fourth to land on the Moon and the eighth successful manned mission.  It was also the first mission where the Lunar Roving Vehicle was used.  This watch is highly symbolic and also very tastefully designed.  The red, white and blue elements on the dial are the same used for the mission insignia (see Apollo 15 mission patch below).  The case back has a stamped rendition of the Lunar Lander (see below).  The limited edition Speedmaster Apollo 15 watch will be hitting stores soon with a price of about $7,000.

Omega Speedmaster Apollo 15 40th Anniversary Watch

Limited Edition 1,971 pieces

Apollo 15 40th Official Insignia

Commander: David Scott  |  Command Module Pilot: Alfred Worden   | Lundar Module Pilot: James Irwin

caseback:

FLASHBACK: The Omega Speedmaster Ref 3366.51, itself also a limited-edition (though less attractive) tribute to the Apollo 15 mission was issued 5 years ago to market the 35th anniversary of the Apollo 15 mission.  See also the Omega Speedmaster Apollo 11 40th Anniversary edition and the OMEGA Speedmaster Professional Apollo-Soyuz 35th anniversary watch introduced in 2009 and 2010, respectively.

Omega Speedmaster Apollo 15 35th Anniversary Watch

issued 2006

Did you Know?

Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV)

The LRV allowed Apollo 15, 16 and 17 astronauts to venture further from the Lunar Module than in previous missions. Total surface traverses increased from hundreds of meters during earlier missions to tens of kilometers during Apollo 15 and 16 and just over 100 kilometers during Apollo 17.

OMEGA Seamaster 1948 Co-Axial “London 2012″

To commemorate the London 2012 Olympic Games, Omega recently introduced the Seamaster 1948 Co-Axial “London 2012″ Limited Edition.   Omega is also the Official Timekeeper the London 2012 Games, its 25th time as official timer for the Olympics.   Aside from its beauty and timeless style, this watch has some nice historical tie-ins — the very first Omega Seamaster was launched in 1948, the last time London hosted the Olympic Games and fittingly, Omega was also responsible for the timekeeping at the 1948 Games.  The Omega Seamaster 1948 “London 2012″ price is $6,800.

OMEGA Seamaster 1948 Co-Axial “London 2012″

Limited Edition of 1,948 pieces (Individually Numbered)

39mm stainless steel case, automatic mechanical Omega caliber 2202 (rhodium plated, COSC, co-axial escapement), Small seconds subdial at 6 o’clock, Water-resistance is 120 meters; fitted on a black leather strap with matching polished buckle

The caseback is solid with yellow gold and engraved with the London 2012 Olympic logo

Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra Co-Axial (Golf Green)

This one’s for you, golf fans.  Yes, Omega really did create this watch to celebrate its presence in the world of golf — a new “Green” Seamaster Aqua Terra, featuring a green Seamaster notation and minute markers around the edge of the dial.  OK, it’s a very fairly subtle modification change to a basic Seamaster Aqua Terra, but I must admit it looks pretty good.  Green can be a very vibrant color, so it is probably good that Omega used it in just a few places on the dial to achieve the desired visual effect.  Omega uses orange on its Seamaster Planet Ocean watches in a similar manner.  Nothing to jump up and down about, but I would say that the new Green Seamaster Aqua Terra gives watch fans a nice new choice in this stylish but otherwise understated collection from Omega.

Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra Co-Axial (Golf Green)

41.5mm stainless steel case, automatic mechanical Omega Co-Axial Caliber 8500 (COSC), steel bracelet,

Omega Seamaster Diver 300M James Bond “50 Years”

It’s hard to believe that fifty years have passed since James Bond first stepped onto the big screen in “Dr. No”.   To celebrate the milestone, OMEGA has launched the Seamaster Diver 300M James Bond “50 Years” wristwatch in two sizes (as featured on this blog a few weeks back).  This video presents close-up images of the 41 mm and the 36.35 mm versions detailing some of their special features including, most notably, the rotating cartridge on the caseback.   Also note the diamond set

Later this year, “SKYFALL”, the 23rd film in the franchise will be released starring Daniel Craig as the world’s favorite spy.

A Diamond Is Forever…

It is now official, the Omega Seamaster James Bond 50th Anniversary Watch, that is. To celebrate fifty years of James Bond films, OMEGA is releasing a special update of the incredibly popular Seamaster Diver 300m James Bond watch which has been worn by 007 in every adventure since GoldenEye.  The James Bond 007 50th Anniversary Collector’s Piece has been created in two sizes, 41 mm and 36 mm, and there are some particulars for each model — notably, the 41 mm version is being produced in a limited edition of 11’007 pieces and the 36.25 mm version in a limited edition of 3’007 pieces (a bit more reasonable for a “limited edition”).  As well, the 36mm case size has a diamond index at the 7 o’clock position.  Read on for more details and high resolution pics of the new James Bond 50th Anniversary Watch…

Omega Seamaster James Bond 50th Anniversary Watch (OFFICIAL)

41mm and 36.25mm stainless steel case options, OMEGA calibre 2507 self-winding movement (Co-axial, COSC), indexes are coated with white Super-LumiNova with a blue emission, date window at 3 o’clock, lacquered black dial features a 007 monogram

“50″ Years of 007

diamond index at 7 o’clock (36mm version only)

The Omega Seamaster James Bond 50th Anniversary Watch has a ceramic bezel with diving scales in matt chromium nitride with the number “50″ in red as a reminder that the watch is celebrating a very special anniversary.

The Omega Seamaster James Bond 50th Anniversary Watch has a screw-in case back stamped with a gun-barrel design. There is a “bullet” decoration fixed on the rotor that can be viewed through a central sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating inside. The watch also has a unidirectional rotating bezel.  A helium escape valve allows helium atoms to escape during decompression, particularly necessary for professional divers operating from diving bells. As its name suggests, the watch is water resistant up to 300 metres.

Don’t forget — in 2012, EON Productions will release Skyfall, the 23rd film in the franchise, with Daniel Craig in the role of James Bond

Left to right:  Bérénice Marlohe (Sévérine), Daniel Craig (James Bond 007), Naomie Harris (Eve)