Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Titanium LiquidMetal

The last high end Planet Ocean, also to bear the LiquidMetal name was a limited edition of 1948 pieces and was released in November 2009 through Omega Boutiques. The watch featured a ceramic bezel design superior to competitors from Rolex, a ceramic dial with applied indices, and had a balance and elegance about it that made it seam more the product of JLC or AP than a lowly Omega.

Supplies of the LiquidMetal were virtually non-existant, limited stock was pre-ordered and sold before arriving on store shelves, and it enjoyed demand usually seen only for new release Rolex sports models until the start of 2011. Its was confirmed that stock is no longer available, and that the LiquidMetal was completely sold out, which disappointed me in particular, because I genuinely wanted one of these pieces of mechanical art. Today LiquidMetal PO's are appearing for sale at above $5,000, which for an Omega is absolutely staggering. This is a watch that's holding its value as well as the Rolex Submariner, and its made by Swatch Group!

Fast forward to BaselWorld 2011, and those that missed out on the original LiquidMetal might just be in luck, because its Titanium cousin has arrived...

The new LiquidMetal Planet Ocean features an entirely Titanium case, a first for the Planet Ocean line, and in another first, features Omega's highly regarded and extremely sophisticated Calibre 8500 movement, marking this only the second dive watch after the PloProf to carry the new Omega flagship movement.

The new deep navy blue dial and bezel combination adds a new look to the Planet Ocean line, with the colour almost matching the later model "Bond" Seamaster Professional watches, which also came with the same style of blue strap on some models.

The strap may be joined at a later date by a mesh or link bracelet, but at this stage it is understandable that the strap is the only option, owing to the fact that neither the mesh, nor standard Planet Ocean bracelet has ever been made in Titanium before, and will have to be a bespoke item specifically for this reference.

Highlights:

Omega Calibre 8500 Co-Axial Movement
Titanium Case
LiquidMetal Ceramic Bezel
Ceramic Dial with Applied Markers
BroadArrow Hands
Water Resistant to 600 Meters
Alternating Blue-Green Lume (Blue with Green Minute hand)

 

That's one badass looking lume, love it.

 

One thing I REALLY like is that you can tell they looked at it from a diver's perspective. In order to de-clutter it at depth, the bezel dot and the minute hand both glow green, which will be brighter, and more obvious than the blue at depth, meaning at a glance you can see the two most important dial elements, and tell exactly how much air you have left without the possibility of confusing hands and markers.

 

Is the 42mm 8500?

 

How does that stack up to the current Sub-C LV/LN and DSSD pricing in Euros? Do you have a Rolex pricelist on hand (MSRP)?

 

You're never going to be able so sell a rubber PO... who would save 100 quid and not get a bracelet?!?

 

Other thing is: Ti PO on bracelet: €6400 = £5625

Does this mean there's a bracelet in the works for the TI models? The press images were all strapped, which possibly turned some people off a bit.

 

Is there a TI PO chrono too? Didn't see a picture of that one.

Can tell by the pricing, they're intending the TI ones to be taking on Rolex directly, I think they're going to need to come up with a bracelet sooner or later due to most people's preference for them, but since the PO bracelet has never been made in TI before, there's probably some retooling needing to be done before that can be produced, maybe by the time they appear in ADs later in the year it will be an option.

 

Just noticed something else, the open 6 and 9 font used on all Planet Oceans thus far, which is a nod to the original Omega Seamaster 300 vintage dive watches has been changed, and they're now normal closed digit font. Also looks like the new dial is more matte than gloss like the original PO LM below

 

Turns out the blue non-chrono is available on bracelet too:

This thing looks incredible!

(image from hodinkee.com)

 

Wow, looks really good. Nice subdued blue. Far better on a bracelet, IMO.

 

It definitely is far better on bracelet, but tell you something, this thing reminds me so much of the Rolex Submariner Ceramic WG version, but yet, I honestly think it looks better, particularly the bezel is better, but the dial with the applied markers and red Seamaster writing looks brilliant. Being titanium and fully brushed you don't have to worry about it like the sub either!