Category: Omega Replica

Meet The Omega Speedmaster ‘First Omega In Space’

Post author By ukwatches
Post date July 10, 2016

This week on my wrist is the Omega Speedmaster “First Omega In Space,” a replica watch inspired by a historically important model worn in space on October 3, 1962, by U.S. astronaut Walter Schirra – an event to which the new model owes its name. We raved about the FOIS when it was introduced in 2012. An affordable manually wound chronograph with great history, it seemed to hit a chord with both the nostalgic, and those new to the brand. It certainly looks the part, but how does it feel on the wrist?omegawatchreview

The good news is that OMEGA have kept many of the features that make CK2998 one of the most collectible pre-moon Speedmasters, from the iconic 12-hour, three-register layout, to the elongated “Alpha” hands and black tachymeter scale on the bezel. Many of these aesthetic elements are back, albeit with some minor changes.

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The Speedmaster, with its black dial inspired by the dashboard of Italian sports cars, had a strong look that definitely seems to have caught Schirra’s eye, and he eventually set his sights on a reference CK2998 (the exact case reference remains a mystery, although -4 and -5 are the most likely bets).

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Side by side: The FOIS and reference CK2998-4.

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The story goes that Walter Schirra decided to go replica watch shopping in Houston, Texas, a few months before the Mercury-Atlas 8 mission, knowing he would become the fifth man to travel to space. Perhaps he wanted to mark the momentous occasion. That part remains legend, though, as a second-generation aviator and military pilot, Schirra would most probably have heard of OMEGA and its relatively new racing chronograph.

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What makes the First Omega In Space such a distinctive Speedmaster is the symmetry of the design. The straight lugs and thin bevel between the top and the sides are directly inspired by CK2998, and were a common feature of early pre-moon Speedmasters, until Omega decided to adopt asymmetrical twisted lugs after 1964 (with the appearance of the Speedmaster Professional). Another feature brought back from the original CK2998 is the applied logo at 12 o’clock, which pops off the dial unlike the more commonly printed logo of post-1968 Speedmasters.

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The stainless steel case measures 39.7 mm, which is 2-3 mm smaller than most of the Speedmaster replica watches currently in production, and the replica watch itself is very well proportioned. The replica watch, like most Speedmasters, is so comfortable it’s easy to forget you’re wearing it.

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As you’d expect, the First Omega In Space isn’t an exact replica of the replica watch Schirra bought more than half a century ago. That would’ve been wishful thinking on our part. According to OMEGA’s records, the replica watch Schirra wore in space had straight register hands, including the running seconds hand. For the FOIS, OMEGA decided to introduce a leaf-shaped seconds hand. It’s not historically correct, but I found the use of the leaf shape for all of the timekeeping functions (hour, minute and seconds hands), coupled with their stainless-steel composition is a very smart way to differentiate them from the white baton hands that are used solely for the purpose of the chronograph function.

Speedmasters were designed with the scale on the bezel to give the replica watch the intended sporty look OMEGA were after. The FOIS still retains a lot of the motorsports inspiration and look that characterized early Speedmasters. Add to that a brown leather strap and you feel like you’re in Monza, about to grab the wheel of 335 S Spider Scaglietti. This is a look should age very well as the leather of the new strap loses its shine with passing years.

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What the First Omega In Space does do is give you the chance to discover this great movement in a Speedmaster sans crown guards. Personally, I find it adds to the enjoyment of winding the replica watch, and you’ll be doing that every day as the power reserve is only 48 hours. But would you complain about having to refuel a great vintage automobile every time you take it out for a spin? It’s definitely part of the experience you’re paying for.

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The case back is probably where the re-edition differs most noticeablys from the original. A portal into the past of the replica watch, it pays homage to Schirra’s own. It features a screw-down case back embossed with the words “First Omega In Space,” the date of Schirra’s space flight, and the original 1962 execution of the OMEGA Hippocampus.

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Whether or not OMEGA could have made a replica watch more in the image of Schirra’s CK2998 matters little in the end. The changes introduced are few and far in between, noticeable only to experts, and they do not make the FOIS any less enjoyable to wear on a daily basis.

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One of the finer details overlooked by OMEGA however is the placement of the “dot” next to, and not above the 90 mark on the tachymeter scale – a detail that sounds insignificant but would have brought a lot of pleasure to the purists, of which there are so many.

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There are also inevitable question marks about the movement which powers the First Omega in Space. Schirra’s CK2998 was powered by the famous Omega caliber 321, one of the finest and most collectible movements ever made. However, the Lemania-based column-wheel chronograph movement had a relatively short production run, and was soon replaced by ones that were easier and less expensive to produce in large quantities. The First Omega In Space carries such a movement, caliber 1861, which is the latest evolution of caliber 321.

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Creating a link with all modern Speedmaster Professional replica watches, this movement may not have the cachet with collectors of the 321, but it’s a proven movement in its own right. It’s worth a good look (which the FOIS does not offer, as it has a solid caseback) but fear not, we recently filmed it during a servicing of an vintage Speedmaster at Manfredi Jewels in Greenwich, CT.

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The “First Omega In Space” looks like a vintage Speedmaster, and feels like one too. While it falls just a tiny bit short of complete historical fidelity to CK2998, it doescaptures the magic of this historical timepiece. If the Speedmaster was originally designed to stand apart from other chronographs, the First Omega In Space fits the bill. A numbered edition, the OMEGA Speedmaster “First Omega In Space” is available at $5,300 and comes on a brown leather strap. Bracelets can be added for a premium.

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The Omega Speedmaster “First Omega In Space” is available in steel; Diameter, 39.7 mm; Water resistance 50 meters; Solid screw-down case back. Dial, black. Tachymeter, black. Movement, Caliber 1861 with Rhodium-Plated Finish, manual-winding, 48-hour power reserve, running in 18 jewels, 21,600 vph. Hours, minutes, seconds, with chronograph. Numbered Edition. Price, $5,300. More from Omega right here.

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Tags Omega Speedmaster 'First Omega In Space'

Omega Replica

Hands On Elegant Omega Replica Seamaster Watches

Post author By ukwatches
Post date May 16, 2016

While replica Omega’s new Globemaster reach was one of the brand’s more talked about dispatches at the current year’s Baselworld, its most recent Seamaster Chronograph version for Team New Zealand was presumably a standout amongst the most neglected new discharges — which is reflected by how troublesome despite everything it is to discover official data about it. Consequently, this photograph overwhelming exposition on it during the current week’s version of Dive Watch Wednesday:

Prior ETNZ renditions were fueled by Omega’s Caliber 3330, and restricted to the same number as the year in which the watch was discharged, so it’s most likely safe to accept that we are managing comparative specs for this watch. Additionally, we can accept that the 44-mm watch will probably be committed to the 35th America’s Cup race in 2017, and that the crown at 10 o’clock is still a helium discharge valve – for this situation it likewise goes about as a date corrector btw.

All the above being the situation, this present Omega’s most vital element is its 30-minute regatta clock at 3 o’clock, which measures the five-minute commencement to the start of a regatta. Another decent detail: all its chronograph-related components are in red.The caseback highlights the “ETNZ” logo, as seen on the past model.

Initial introductions: If you don’t care for the run of the mill regatta-clock search however are searching for a cruising themed watch, Omega’s most recent ETNZ chronograph may be something to pay special mind to, since it likewise offers an exceptionally alluring shading blend. We are not certain about the white date show – while it offers some equalization for the dial in mix with the 12 o’clock list, a dim one could have been a stunningly better match. We do, in any case, love the general look, the cleaned numbers on the matte earthenware bezel, the new regatta clock on the subdial and the red chronograph pusher at 2 o’clock.

Omega Replica

OMEGA : Globemaster Master Chronometer AnnualCalendar

Post author By ukwatches
Post date May 9, 2016

Basel2016OmegaGlobemasterAnnualCalendar9_zpsikssmfht

At Baselworld 2015 Omega introduced the 39mm Globemaster in stainless steel, Sedna, platinum and bi-coloured version.s A year later and at Baselworld 2016 they launched a new Globemaster Annual Calendar to add to the family.

Movement-wise, it is a Co-Axial Master Chronometer powered by the in-house developed and manufactured Calibre 8922 (and 8923 for the limited edition model, which has a Sedna gold rotor). As it is METAS certified, it is labelled as ‘Master Chronometer’. For those who do not know, this newish certification was established by Omega and METAS (the Federal Institue of Meterology) because they wished to go beyond COSC-certification. Click on the link above for all details. Sixty-two references are now Master Chronometer certified and Omega hopes to certify nearly all its mechanical replica watches as Master Chronometers by 2020.

At a larger 41mm, it comes in stainless steel with a tungsten carbide bezel and blue dial, Sedna, bimetal (stainless steel and Sedna), and also a platinum version.

When the first photos of this came out the responses online were mixed, and these focused on the writing on the dial. There is little question that in terms of legibility, it leaves nothing to be confused about, but the placement and typeface of the writing caused a lot of animated discussion. As always, I had a response but not a definitive one, as replica watches are mostly objects about which it is best not to have a definite opinion until you can see them in the metal. I was in the camp of those who didn’t find myself drawn to the writing, and I wondered why they decided to do it that way. Sometimes, even if something is not to your taste, if you are able to ask why something was done and understand this reason, then things are different.

So when I got the chance to see them I asked the question. The answer was continuity; they wanted to have the text there and the choice of font was on the basis of it being the same as the ‘Globemaster’ text on the dial. Which is totally fair enough, having too many typefaces on a dial can get a bit tricky and messy. The month indicator hand on the dial for the calendar function is nice and discreet, and if the goal of the pie-pan dial’s design is legibility of functionality and to make it basically as foolproof as possible for someone buying it (bearing in mind that many who buy it may not be familiar with annual calendars) then it meets those goals. The one thing I would note is that it is interesting that the decision was not made to make the month indicator hand another colour, for contrast.

The platinum Globemaster Annual Calendar (shown at the top) has both a platinum case and platinum clasp and has some heft, as you can imagine. The platinum case and clasp are milled from an alloy of platinum (950Pt) and gold (20Au). The dial is also (sandblasted) platinum with 18 carat white gold markers filled with burgundy enamel. On the reverse you can see that the burgundy theme is carried through to a burgundy enamel Central Observatory medallion on the movement, which also has a Sedna gold rotor and balance wheel.

As mentioned at the outset, the new Globemaster Annual Calendar comes in stainless steel, Sedna gold, bi-metal (stainless steel and Sedna), and platinum. The platinum version is limited to 52 pieces only and comes on a burgundy leather strap which I was told is inspired by Chesterfield chairs. Australian RRPs are as $11,300 for stainless steel, $14,200 for the bimetal model, $31,150 for the Sedna, and $63,000 for the platinum edition.

Tags Baselworld 2016, Hands-on, Limited Editions, Omega, Switzerland

Omega Replica

In Depth Fresh Omega speedmaster mark II replica watches equipped with a balance spring and vertical wheel

Post author By ukwatches
Post date April 25, 2016

1969 was a memorable year in human history. Earth humans across borders for the first time aboard another planet – the moon, and the first to leave footprints on the lunar surface astronauts then is wearing Omega Speedmaster replica Professional Chronograph.

In the same year, Omega launched a fresh Omega Speedmaster Mark II replica watches. Case for the streamlined design, equipped with 861 test manually through space on the chain “Moon Watch” movement. 2014, Omega replica watches recast classic, launched Speedmaster Mark II watch engraved version, equipped with its self-winding movement. Meanwhile, the new Speedmaster Mark II treated tachometer scale, in extremely faint light is still clearly visible – This Speedmaster was the first watch in real.

Stainless steel case and polished after grinding, was barrel-shaped, with a smooth crown and buttons. Calendar tuning knob is located on the 10 o’clock position of the case. With three small dials on the dial: 3:00 position 30 minutes chronograph subdial at 6 o’clock 12-hour chronograph dial and 9 o’clock position and the small seconds subdial. Anti-wear flat convex sapphire crystal, providing effective protection for matt black or gray dial.

Coated with Super-LumiNova luminous coating tachometer scale transfer to the inside of the sapphire table mirror, black aluminum ring underneath to make it eye-catching. Black and white hour, minute and central chronograph hand is also coated with Super-LumiNova luminous coating. If the Omega Speedmaster replica watch and lovers of all ages slightly color classic design, so gray dial watch Speedmaster Mark II will be a good choice. Fluorescent orange with matching central chronograph seconds hand and the minute scale impressive.

Omega Speedmaster Mark II replica watches with brushed steel bracelet and Omega patented retractable pressing folding buckle. This watch comes with tools to quickly and easily adjust the calendar. The new Speedmaster Mark II watches compared to the initial 1969 version, equipped with a balance spring and vertical wheel timing device with a Si14 silicon material coaxially 3330 self-winding movement. The Omega Speedmaster Mark II replica watches waterproof to a depth of 100 meters. Omega replica up to four years to provide after-sales service guarantee.

Tags Omega Speedmaster Mark II Replica, Omega Speedmaster Replica

Omega Replica

Swiss Omega Replica Reference 2077-1 With Stainless Steel, Ca. 1940 In Low Price

Post author By ukwatches
Post date April 16, 2016

This cheap swiss Omega replica watches reference 2077-1, to me, truly speaks to everything that is intriguing about stainless-steel vintage chronographs. As a matter of first importance, in spite of the fact that they’re drawing significantly more consideration than they used to recently, despite everything they’re something of an under-the-radar model. Besides, the execution of the dials on these models is unimaginably alluring. Third, the case size – strangely substantial for the time, at 38.5 mm – truly places them in the Goldilocks zone for current authorities.

That, in addition to the general extents of the “waterproof” case, give this reference a colossal measure of nearness on the wrist. What’s more, last, yet unquestionably not minimum, there’s the development: the high-end Omega replica bore 33.3 CHRO, a high review, segment wheel-controlled cheap replica watches chronograph development. This one specifically truly perfectly speaks to everything that makes this reference alluring.

It’s impossible to say these days where costs are going to go on these, yet in any event, the awesome nearness the reference 2077-1 has on the wrist, in addition to the way that they’re still, if not precisely obscure, a revelation for some gatherers, is going to make their valuation and results at closeout extremely fascinating to watch sooner rather than later. This piece is evaluated to go for somewhere around 40,000 and 80,000 CHF.

Tags Omega Ref 2077-1 Replica

Omega Replica

The Most Classic Omega Replica Watches With Execllent Design

Post author By ukwatches
Post date April 1, 2016

Omega Speedmaster (1957)

The Omega Speedmaster, bound to end up the most popular chronograph on the planet due to its utilization by NASA for the Apollo system, was presented in 1957. Be that as it may, the Speedmaster story truly starts in 1943 with chronograph Caliber 27 CHRO C12, created by Jacques Reymond. Naturally introduced to a since quite a while ago settled group of watchmakers, Reymond had joined Omega’s auxiliary Lemania in 1942. The “CHRO” in the bore assignment remained for “chronograph,” the “27” alluded to the development’s measurement in millimeters, and “C12” signified the extra counter for 12 slipped by hours. Further created by Albert Piguet in 1946 and initiated by Omega with the shorter name “321,” this development was the littlest of its sort at the time. Credit for the Speedmaster case outline fit in with a gathering at Lemania, including originator Claude Baillod, model creator Georges Hartmann and engineer Désiré Faivre. The watch’s remarkable elements were a dark dial, brilliant hands, a tachymeter scale, water-safe case, screwed back and domed Plexiglas gem. The measurement was initially 39 mm. A 40-mm rendition with the tachymeter scale on a dark foundation along the spine showed up in 1960.

Omega De Ville (1967)

Omega propelled De Ville as a different line in 1967. It had been a gathering inside of the Seamaster line following 1960. Less complex, more youthful, more brilliant, and more fluctuated than the Seamaster, it rapidly turned into Omega’s top of the line gathering. The name remained for a whole reasoning in light of the fact that the De Ville wasn’t made at Omega’s home office in mechanical Bienne, yet in modern Geneva. The accumulation was planned to speak to another urban style. The creators had looked for and found a futuristic component in wristwatch outline. The accumulation included rectangular models containing the ultra-thin hand-wound Caliber 620. The amalgamation of advancement and agelessness ended up being simply right. Omega De Ville cheap replica watches won six “Brilliant Roses” at the Baden-Baden outline honors in the 1970s and the desired Grand Prix Triomphe de l’Excellence Européenne.

Initially Co-Axial Escapement (1999)

The Omega De Ville Co-Axial Replica contained programmed Caliber 2500, the main wrist chronometer with a co-pivotal escapement. The escapement was concocted by English expert watchmaker George Daniels. Omega added to Daniels’ configuration with the goal that it could be produced in substantial amounts. Gauge 2500 was an altered self-twisting development from Omega’s Swatch Group sister, ETA. The co-pivotal escapement went far toward taking care of two key issues that had tormented durable exactness timekeeping. In the first place, each adjustment in the thickness of the oil brought down the normality of the rate conduct. Second, after some time, the oil bit by bit vanished from the areas where it was most required in the development. Daniels updated the design of the drive offering components to decrease both the grating and the impact that the oil’s thickness applied on the equalization’s plentifulness. Not at all like ordinary escapements, his co-hub escapement comprises of a mediating wheel, a co-hub haggle lever with three bed gems. The lever demonstrations just when the parity swings counter-clockwise. To completely abuse the upsides of this escapement, 27-gem Caliber 2500 had a Glucydur parity with a recurrence of 28,800 vph and a level, unreservedly swinging hairspring. The development appeared in a basic round case for which Omega reactivated the name “De Ville.”

Tags Omega De Ville Co-Axial Replica, Omega Speedmaster Replica

Omega Replica

Hands On Omega De Ville Blue Gentleman Replica Watch

Post author By ukwatches
Post date February 17, 2016

Omega replica Code of watches was born in 1949, its slim and elegant gold case unique, the interior mounted 30 mm Movement legendary. After half a century classic reborn, Pierre reproduction, equipped with the most advanced ever Omega replica watches coaxial movement Ville Code of elegant replica watches come out.

Meter outfitted using the elegant Omega De Ville replica 8511 if this exquisite “to achieve coaxial movement” , this excellent hands-wound mechanical movement includes a time zone adjustment function with 18K red-colored gold balance cock, Si14 plastic material gossamer, three coaxial escapement and swiss Omega fake watch‘s unique magnetic technology. This formally licensed chronometer resistant strength in excess of 15’000 Gauss magnetic area, while some have excellent and reliable performance visit show remarkable Omega De Ville replica coaxial movement consistently superior characteristics.

Tags Omega De Ville Replica

Omega Replica

PHOTOS : Replica Omega’s White Side of theMoon

Post author By ukwatches
Post date November 9, 2015

Two years ago the replica Omega Speedmaster went to the ‘Dark Side of the Moon’ and last year, it went grey with a lunar dust theme. At Baselworld 2015 they launched their latest/ last ‘Side of’ variant the ‘White Side of the Moon’, which I described at the time as ‘The Dark Side x Alaska Project’ but which Omega somewhat more poetically describes as reflecting lunar radiance.

At any rate it’s white.

Very white.

In fact it is even more white ‘in the ceramic’ than it is in photos, as I discovered during the Sydney launch of some of this year’s new models.

It is also very shiny.

Their third Speedmaster ceramic model, the White Side has a dial and brushed and polished case made from zirconium oxide ceramic. The polished white ceramic bezel has a matte chromium nitride tachymeter scale. The polished ceramic pushers on the case function independently so there is no risk to the chronograph mechanisms as a result of inadvertent manipulation.

The scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, treated with an anti-reflective coating on both sides, protects the dial with its 18K white gold hands and applied indexes. The centre chronograph seconds hand is rhodium-plated and with a red tip. The hour, minute and chronograph seconds hands, indices and two dots at 12 o’clock all have white Super-LumiNova. Engraved just above the centre of the dial is “ZrO2” as a nod to its material. There is a small white sub-dial at 3 o’clock that serves as a 60-minute and 12-hour recorder and a small second sub-dial can be found at 9 o’clock.

The Speedmaster White Side of the Moon comes on a rather shiny white leather strap with a white ceramic and Grade 5 titanium clasp.

The white ceramic case back is polished with bevelled scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, matte chromium nitride marks, and is engraved with the name of the replica watch: “White Side of the Moon”. Inside is the Co-Axial Calibre 9300 that was in the other ‘Sides’, COSC-certified and with a 60-hour power reserve. A handy thing about the movement is that there is an independently adjustable hour hand.

It’s 44.25mm in diametre and has a bi-compax layout like the Dark and Grey Sides. This format, as opposed to the original tri-compax dial, was first used on the Speedmaster Co-Axial Chronograph that was Omega’s first Speedy to use their in-house Co-Axial Calibre 9300 movement. As per that model, the sub dial at 3 o’clock for this new model is both 12-hour and 60-minute counters; it has two stacked hands, the longer one counting 60 minutes, the shorter 12 hours. The small seconds sub dial is at 9 o’clock.

The hour and minute hands are 18K white gold, as are the hands on both sub-dials, and indices. The centre chronograph hand is rhodium-plated and features a red tip for visibility against the black surface. There is also the use of Super-LumiNova on the dots at 12 o’clock, and the hour, minute and chronograph hands.

There have been a lot of Speedmaster models. In terms of the three coloured ‘Sides’ my vote is definitely still first with the Dark Side. The Grey Side was actually more attractive than I had expected it to be, but this white one feels less ‘tool replica watch’ and more ‘Statement Speedmaster’. Perhaps I am conservative, but the White Side of the Moon feels like a Speedmaster (and I am distinguishing it from other ‘all-white’ replica watches because to me, Speedys fall into a category of their own) that perhaps isn’t so much for traditionalists as for people who may not have previously taken to it but who are engaged by the ‘moon replica watch’ idea and like bold, shiny replica watches.

Tags chronograph, Hands-on, Omega, Sydney

Omega Replica

Replica Omega’s DeVilleTrésor Review

Post author By ukwatches
Post date June 25, 2014

On the day during which I visited the Sydney Omega boutique to see the Speedmaster Mark II I had expectations only of the Mark II. What other replica watches I might see did not cross my mind. It was all about the Mark II.

What ended up happening is that I went in with one replica watch at the forefront of my mind but left with another dominating my thoughts and becoming not only my favourite 2014 release from Omega, but also one of my favourite replica watches so far for 2014.

I had read about the newly reworked De Ville Trésor but, mesmerised by the Mark II, I had only paid it cursory attention. More fool me.

The original Omega De Ville Trésor models was first launched in 1949, made for the South American market and called ‘Tesoro’. They were simple models, characterised by classic case styles, clean dials (some with a seconds sub-dial, some with a sweep seconds hand), and containing a 30mm movement.

The new Trésor screams a 1940s-1950s dress replica watch aesthetic, but that’s where the similarity ends. Inside is the manual wind Master Co-Axial Caliber 8511 (that includes a time zone function) with an 18k rose gold balance bridge, a Si14 silicon balance spring and Omega’s three-level co-axial escapement. The movement is a COSC-certified chronometer and anti-magnetic greater than 15,000 gauss and has a power reserve of sixty hours.

As for the case, that has also been glammed up, with the new 40mm Trésor available in yellow gold, white gold, or Omega’s Sedna gold. However, it is not the case or its metals that are the key to this replica watch, it’s the dial. Silvery opaline, domed and decorated with a Clou de Paris (guilloché motif of hollowed lines that intersect to form tiny pyramidal shapes) pattern, it is quite simply, stunning.

The visceral appeal of the dial/ case combination took me by surprise, and it was these aesthetics which made this overtake the Mark II as my favourite Omega release. Despite it very clearly harking back to Omega’s history, it does not look dated nor old-fashioned. It is deeply simple but deeply elegant, and its full effect is best seen ‘ín the metal’.

Hands and hour markers are made of 18k gold and arched to complement the curvature of the dial and crystal. The polished open caseback sports “ANTI-MAGNETIC,” “15,000 GAUSS,” and “Si14”.

Water resistance is to 30Mand on a black or brown leather strap with polished 18k gold buckle, it comes with a four year warranty and should be available worldwide from October 2014.

This may not have been the most hyped Omega release during Baselworld 2014, but this thoroughbred deserves as much attention as its other new siblings. The Australian RRP for the Sedna and Yellow gold pieces is $16,175 and the White Gold version is $17,575. Availability will be from appoximately March 2015.

Tags Baselworld 2014, Hands-on, Omega, Sydney, Vintage Omega

Omega Replica

HANDS-ON :Replica Omega Seamaster Planet OceanPlatinum

Post author By ukwatches
Post date May 26, 2014

As previously blogged, earlier this year I had the opportunity to view the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Orange Ceramic. At the same time I also got to see its sibling, the Seamaster Planet Ocean Platinum with diamond-set ceramic and sapphire.

Made in a limited edition of eight pieces, the achievement highlighted by Omega with this replica watch is that of the development of technology that allows for the setting of diamonds into hard bodies such as ceramic and sapphire.

The patent is for the method of setting of the stones into the ceramic thanks to the use of Liquidmetal®. The process begins with the engraving, using a 5-axis laser. A 850-platinum Liquidmetal® alloy is then injected into the bezel/ caseback and the excess is removed, after which the case is polished. Diamonds are then set into the Platinum Liquidmetal® alloy using traditional diamond-setting technique. The result is an unlikely pairing of a hard body and diamonds.

This Seamaster Planet Ocean has a polished and brushed 43.50 mm case. Its brushed and polished rotating black ceramic bezel is bi-directional, and with twelve baguette diamonds to mark the 24-hour GMT. The case edges of the case are set with 69 trapezoidal baguette-cut diamonds.

If that’s not enough diamonds for you, there are a further 31 full-cut-diamonds set in the Omega logo on the sapphire caseback, for a total of 2.69 carats. Through this open caseback can be seen the Omega Co-Axial Calibre 8615 with an Si14 silicon balance spring and wit a power reserve of sixty hours.

The dial is polished black ceramic dial with 18K white gold indices, numerals and hands. There is a date window, and the GMT/ second time zone indicator is via a centre hand.

The Seamaster Planet Ocean Platinum is water resistant to 60 bar (600m) and comes on a black leather strap with platinum stitching and a 950-grade platinum clasp. It’s not as though any of the eight owners are likely to go diving with it, but there is also a that comes with a replica watch, as well as a strap changing tool.

As a ‘partner’ to the orange ceramic replica watch it more than pulls its weight, physically and otherwise. This is a beast of a replica watch to hold/ wear, but the diamonds and platinum pretty much reiterate that it is a replica watch created to show off innovation, not to wear as per any other Planet Ocean. Whether you like it or not is a matter of personal taste, but what they have done is fascinating.

My thanks to Mr. Gregory Kissling, Omega’s Head of Product Management, for showing me this replica watch and being a wrist model.

Tags Baselworld 2014, GMT, Hands-on, Limited Editions, Omega, Platinum, Switzerland, Watch Profile, watches