It was solely a matter of time, proper? After non-public fairness investor-turned-ocean-explorer Victor Vescovo’s record-setting 2019 dive to Challenger Deep within the Mariana Trench, the prototype Omega Seamaster Extremely Deep Skilled strapped to the robotic arm of his submersible is lastly being made obtainable in a barely pared-back civilian variant. Nevertheless it’s not only one watch — as a substitute, we get a completely new assortment of super-burly Seamaster dive watches: three in chrome steel on newly sculpted bracelets, and one in titanium on a NATO strap constructed from recycled fishing nets, the latter of which most carefully echoes the utility and aesthetics of the unique prototype that made the record-breaking dive. Oh, after which it went on to make repeated dives with the submersible Limiting Issue in the summertime months that adopted, as Vescovo ferried fellow researchers, dignitaries, and even a former astronaut (Kathy Sullivan, who was the primary lady to stroll in house) to the deepest recognized location on the planet. No large deal.
How deep is “Extremely Deep,” precisely? Nicely, Vescovo’s history-making dive to the southern finish of the ditch touched down at 10,928 meters, or 35,853 ft (a newly found slope within the trench some 30 meters deeper than the beforehand established 2012 report by James Cameron, whose personal submersible had a particular Rolex Deepsea Challenger affixed to its exterior), although that Seamaster prototype was truly examined to a mind-boggling 15,000 meters of water resistance, to accommodate for the 25% security margin required for the almost 11,000-meter journey. Naturally, that watch was a uniquely unapologetic beast — 54mm in diameter, and almost 30mm-thick, using a porthole-style blueprint, specifically cast grade 5 titanium, and Omega’s proprietary LiquidMetal know-how, which decreased the design’s dependence on conventional seals and married the sapphire crystal to the case physique with an impregnable bond.
So, whereas the civilian Extremely Deep doesn’t keep the mind-boggling 15,000 meters of water resistance from the prototype, it nonetheless achieves the practicality-defying determine of 6,000 meters, placing it head and shoulders above related super-deep divers just like the Breitling Avenger II (4,000 meters), the Rolex Deep Sea-Dweller “James Cameron” (3,900 meters), the IWC Aquatimer 3292 (2,000 meters), in addition to its personal Seamaster stablemate, the Ploprof, which tops out at 1,200 meters, although it impressively does so with an exhibition caseback. Even the mighty Sinn UX with its progressive oil-filled dial and particular quartz motion maxes out at 5,000 meters. Granted, these are largely inconsequential figures for anybody not named Victor Vescovo or James Cameron, significantly when you think about for a second {that a} leisure diver hardly ever encounters depths in extra of 30 or 40 meters, or that even the world’s bravest closed-circuit divers ever dare to enterprise under 200 meters. However when the world of watches is content material to separate hairs over lightness, thinness, accuracy, machine tolerance for screw threads, or an entire wealth of different trite metrics, you already know practicality isn’t the goal right here. That’s as a result of on the finish of the day, our obsession with the superlative won’t ever go absolutely satiated, and for those who’ve spent sufficient time within the rabbit gap, you already know that’s completely okay.
The brand new ISO 6425-certified civilian Extremely Deep was ocean-tested within the Marana Trench to a depth of 6,269 meters in 2021, with the goal of sustaining the real-world palmares of its predecessor. It additionally retains the unapologetic purpose-first silhouette of the prototype however is markedly extra wearable at 45mm by 18.2mm-thick — nonetheless large, for positive, however properly throughout the realm of different “large-ish” device watches, just like the aforementioned 44mm Rolex Deep Sea-Dweller, any variety of 47mm Panerai Submersibles (ref. PAM1389 involves thoughts), or Omega’s personal 45mm ceramic Seamaster Deep Black launched again in 2016. And whereas it does make a significant concession in total water resistance, it does so within the identify of precise wearability and long-term serviceability (gone is that LiquidMetal interface between crystal and case, which wasn’t precisely a tenable long-term answer for even a reliable watchmaker). Longtime critics of the guide helium launch valve that’s historically occupied its place on the 10:00 place on the Planet Ocean case could have one thing to rejoice over, because the Extremely Deep is licensed for saturation diving, and has no want for an HR valve of any type.
Wearability is especially key right here, because of the Planet Ocean’s signature barrel case form, decreased dial aperture, and brief, lyre lugs which scale back the watch’s stance throughout the wrist. Talking of lugs, one of many prototype Extremely Deep’s defining options, apart from its hockey puck-esque thickness, in fact, was its sweeping Manta Lugs — built-in, wing-like tabs designed to just accept a NATO-style pass-through strap. It’s a sublime, aesthetically pleasing different to fastened spring bars or the seamless machined lugs discovered on the latest Tudor FXD, and it’s a design signature that returns on the civilian Extremely Deep however solely on the titanium variant. The metal references take conventional spring bars and a newly designed bracelet with polished sides and Omega’s now-standard rack-and-pusher adjusting clasp.
Talking of chrome steel, whereas Grade 5 titanium was carried over from the prototype, Omega needed to develop a brand new chrome steel that would obtain related ranges of hardness whereas sustaining the identical diploma of water resistance to 600 crushing atmospheres. Name O-MEGA Metal, the brand new alloy was tuned for its hardness, shine, and lasting lustre. And whereas the metal counterpart will come at a comparatively modest discount in retail worth, Omega’s comparably-sized 45mm Planet Ocean Chronograph on a full metal bracelet ideas the scales at a hefty 260 grams or extra (relying on what number of hyperlinks you take away), so it’s “in for a penny, in for a pound,” proper?
Powering the brand new Extremely Deep assortment is identical motion that was fitted to the prototype: Omega’s Grasp Chronometer-certified Calibre 8912, which is consequently the identical no-date computerized motion at present deployed within the Seamaster Ploprof, the place you’ll observe 60 hours of energy reserve and that useful quick-adjust hour hand, which is nice for leaping dive websites between time zones. In contrast to the aforementioned Ploprof although, the motion is just not seen via the Extremely Deep’s strong engraved caseback.
Earlier than we get into the nitty-gritty of our full hands-on impressions of the brand new Extremely Deep assortment, this launch does provoke the query: why? Particularly, for these pining for a return to the nostalgia of the svelte Cal. 2500 Planet Ocean, why hasn’t Omega made a smaller, thinner Planet Ocean? The final visible iterative to the road got here manner again in 2015 (don’t miss Bilal’s exhaustive deep dive into the historical past of the PO proper right here), so by historic precedent, we’re definitely overdue. However the Extremely Deep appears to swim in the other way of many a collector’s expectations for this launch — particularly for these following the model’s teaser marketing campaign for this very launch. I believe the reply is comparatively easy: the Planet Ocean is just not Omega’s on a regular basis sport diver line — now we have the Seamaster 300M Diver to satisfy these duties. As a substitute, the PO has developed right into a skunkworks platform of types, the place Omega’s lengthy traditions of tinkering are maintained. It’s right here the place new applied sciences (Liquid Metallic) and case compositions (Deep Black) are examined, data are damaged (Extremely Deep), and the R&D bar will get raised just a bit additional with every new launch. And at the same time as this stubbornly nostalgic Cal. 2500 Planet Ocean fan can nonetheless attest, I like it. I really like all of it.
Pricing for the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 6000M Extremely Deep assortment begins at $11,200 USD for the chrome steel variants on rubber strap and jumps to $12,300 USD for the titanium reference. You may discover the complete Extremely Deep assortment from omegawatches.com.
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