Planet Ocean GMT Review - Black & White
PLANET OCEAN 600M OMEGA CO‑AXIAL MASTER CHRONOMETER GMT 43.5 MM
215.30.44.22.01.001
This watch has really made me take a look at my past collection and my current wants/needs as a watch collector. I’ve seen others post online that their search is over for the ‘perfect watch’ and that they are done collecting. I was always jealous whenever I’d read one of those posts.
Now I can finally say I’m one of those people and that the search is over.
I’ve owned other Omegas, Rolex subs (ceramic and pre), Britlings and IWC pilots. Some watches I’ve owned like a pre-ceramic GMT ended up selling for much more than I paid but for me it’s always been a problem to keep a watch. When something catches my eye, I end up buying it and selling off some of my collection to cover the purchase. It’s a vicious endless cycle which I hope is now over.
Let’s get into my thoughts on this watch then I’ll talk about why I bought this model.
Looks
First have to say that this watch has the look I’ve been wanting. It’s flashy and also utilitarian with its design. The hands and indices I believe are white gold. Everytime I look down to check the time the watch shines back. The hands are unlike any I’ve ever seen. They give any other diver I’ve owned a run for its money. The ceramic dial is something I really did not think was all that important to me until I spent a few days with it. Now it’s hard to go back to plain black dials.
The bezel is distinct to say the least. The black & white combo is original from what I can recall. Though it’s a GMT bezel I do use it for timing. The arrow, 12 marker and where it goes from black to white show when 15 minutes have elapsed. Also each number marker on this bezel is basically 5 minutes so just count in 5’s to figure out how much time has passed. I would never use it for diving but for cooking pizza it works just fine.
Lume
Another thing for me to be jealous about is the lume. For all my watches I never really thought the lume was all that great on any of my watches. My white Ploprof was amazing because the entire bezel was lumed but for this watch it again really surprises me. Walking in the sun then going into an elevator will produce an almost radioactive glow from my wrist.
Wearability
As listed in the other reviews Omega has changed the way the watch sits from the older PO’s. I’m sure others agree that the micro adjustments are a must. Once you’ve had micro adjustments it’s difficult to go back, especially on a diver. The watch wears and to me looks small. It’s not by any means small but it really does feel much smaller than it is.
The clasp is truly a work of art and that being said the button release is the best way to remove a clasp. It snaps with precision when I put the watch on and is quick to take off.
Movement
I’m getting about -2.0 or so everyday from wear and when I put it crown up (3 oclock up) it grains roughly +1.8 overnight so I almost have the watch keeping itself on time.
The only real negative is that the date does not fully change until 12. The wheel stays nearly in between the two dates for an hour. Of course because of the way the movement is designed you can not possibly damage the movement by setting a date or time.
Why I bought this model
Victor Vescovo and the Ultra Deep are the main reason for me to take the dive with Omega. I’d been buying Doxa’s looking for that classic dive watch when the story about the Ultra Deep broke. I thought about how amazing it was that Omega is now the record holder. It’s what makes these dive watches so cool. It’s real professionals using them as tools. Victor Vescovo walked into an Omega boutique and bought a PO chrono.
Imagine if Rolex (I made it through the whole review without comparing this watch to a sub) had a Deep Sea available for VIctor the record would still be Rolex’s to keep. If I wanted to accomplish something amazing in the ocean tomorrow and went into an AD for a dive watch, the Rolex AD’s wouldn’t have any divers available. Well, maybe they would if I bought a few Datejusts first.
"The partnership started because I was a customer," say Vescovo, a private equity investor, former naval officer and now undersea explorer. "I wanted a watch to take with me on the dives, and so I bought my Seamaster watch at my local Omega boutique in Dallas. It was only after that we approached the brand about coming on board as a sponsor of the expedition." - tempusmagazine.co.uk
Omega was available and because it was Victor Vescovo bought a PO then later signed a deal with Omega to produce a watch. I wanted the same PO Victor uses. Not the Ultra Deep but the PO chrono. Once I went to see it the GMT caught my eye and then that was it.
For now this is my main watch, my go to. I’m going to be wearing it daily and enjoying it. The occasional shower and maybe even a swim in the pool. I’m always worried about scratches but life is short. I’m going to be careful to take off my watch when I know I’m going to be in tight places but other than that I’m hoping to just enjoy wearing it.
This watch is not the most expensive watch I’ve owned or the most expensive in terms of street value. My vintage pepsi would be the most valuable watch I’ve owned. This watch is by far the most expensive ‘feeling’ and looking watch I’ve ever owned. I’m sure there are many others that will complain about resale but that’s not why I bought this watch. A lot can change over time, especially when you are a horrible serial flipper like me, but for now this is the best watch I’ve ever owned.
Life is short try to enjoy it.
