Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean GoodPlanet GMT Watch

The long anticipated new Omega Planet Ocean GMT is here for 2013. Before settling into being a major part of the Seamaster Planet Ocean collection, Omega has debuted the Planet Ocean GoodPlanet GMT, as part of their collaborated efforts with the Good Planet Foundation environmentalist initiative. The new GMT watch is being launched in tandem with the release of the "Planet Ocean" movie.

We were there in back in 2011 when Omega announced its partnership with the GoodPlanet Foundation and director Yann Arthus-Bertrand to produce the movie, which is being rolled out now. You'll probably be able to see the Planet Ocean movie soon. Allow me to point out that the name of the ocean-preservation themed movie is quite fitting!



While unconfirmed at this point, we anticipate that this lovely blue and orange version of the Planet Ocean GMT is just one of a few Planet Ocean GMT models that will be released soon. This colorful version is probably the most eye-catching and helps keep focus on the novel nature of the watch. Though experience has told us that Omega sells most of its Seamaster Planet Ocean models with black dials on full steel bracelets.

A very interesting aspect of the Planet Ocean GMT is the size. Rather than produce the watch with one of the existing case sizes, Omega offers a new middle-size for the Seamaster Planet Ocean with the GMT. The standard Planet Ocean three-hand is available in a 42mm or 45.5mm wide case. The Chronograph is available in the larger 45.5mm wide case. For 2013 the Plant Ocean GMT comes in a 43.5mm wide case, only in steel. It is more than likely that titanium and gold versions will soon follow. The mid-size is a good addition to the family.






The steel case has a helium release valve and it water resistant to 600 meters. Instead of a uni-direction diver's style rotating bezel, the GMT has a bi-direction 24 hour scale bezel that is not only a scale for the 24 hour hand, but can also serve as a third time zone indicator. Unfortunately, the bezel is not in ceramic or with Omega's famous Liquidmetal. Rather it is a lacquered bezel in blue and orange, and hopefully Omega will eventually offer a ceramic or Liquidmetal version of the GMT bezel.

Inside the watch is the Omega in-house made caliber 8605 automatic Co-Axial movement that uses a silicon balance spring. This essentially the Omega 8500 movement with a GMT complication. You can see the movement (always a stunner) through the sapphire crystal exhibition caseback window. The movement has a power reserve of 60 hours.



The Omega caliber 8605 is most well-known for being in the Omega Aqua Terra GMT, a more formal Seamaster model. The Planet Ocean is larger and also features a full-sized GMT hand, which many fans have been asking for. The dial of course is slathered in SuperLumiNova. Darkness legibility for Planet Ocean models is always outstanding. Omega will further offer the Seamaster Planet Ocean GoodPlanet GMT on a steel bracelet (ref. 232.30.44.22.03.001), or on a blue rubber strap with deployant clasp (ref. 232.32.44.22.03.001).

Omega's many Planet Ocean fans are going to be happy with the addition of a GMT version of their favorite watch to the collection. Omega will likely release more versions of the watch soon, and ideally supplement the steel version with a titanium model, and hopefully add a ceramic or Liquidmetal bezel. No pricing yet, but expect the GMT to be priced somewhere between the three-hand and chronograph versions of the Planet Ocean. omegawatches.com