OMEGA, in this year’s offerings, is celebrating its diving legacy, which reached new depths (pun intended) in 2019, when three Ultra Deep watches joined explorer Victor Vescovo on a mission to the bottom of the Mariana Trench in the Pacific Ocean. While the Ultra Deep collection welcomes seven new models, there is also a new iteration of the Seamaster Diver 300M, and eight new additions to the Speedmaster ’57 Calibre 9906 line
Originally recorded as 10,925 m (35,843 ft), the depth of the Mariana Trench was later updated to 10,935 m (35,876 ft) and Vescovo’s mission is the deepest any human or watch has ever dived. All three watches completed the 12-hour dive without a problem and surfaced completely unscathed.
Seamaster Planet Ocean Ultra Deep
2022 sees the release of seven new models in OMEGA’s Ultra Deep collection. Water-resistant to 6,000 m (20,000 ft), the 45.5 mm range is led by a bold version crafted in sandblasted and forged grade 5 titanium. Driven by the Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 8912, all watches in this collection are Master Chronometer-certified, and ocean-tested at a depth of 6,269 m (20,567 ft) in the Mariana Trench in 2021. The watch features a brushed ceramic bezel with a Liquidmetal diving scale, along with the distinctive “Manta Lugs” and streamlined asymmetrical case reminiscent of the original Ultra Deep model. They support a striped NATO strap, in cyan and black, made from polyamide yarn, sourced from 100% recycled fishing nets, fixed to the wrist with a loop and buckle in grade 5 titanium. Beneath the protuberant, domed sapphire crystal, the dial is of black ceramised titanium with cyan numerals and a blued gradient on the central seconds hand. A grade 5 titanium caseback features a black laser-engraved Sonar emblem, with the iconic OMEGA Seahorse at its centre, and the words “Divers’ watch 6000 m for saturation diving”.
Seamaster Diver 300M
The watch that first surfaced in 1993 is back and bolder than ever in 2022, with a wave-pattern dial in a striking shade of green. The 42 mm watch in stainless steel sports a uni-directional rotating bezel with a polished green ceramic ring with Grand-Feu white enamel diving scale. Driving the beautiful new Seamaster Diver 300M with green polished ceramic dial is OMEGA’s Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 8800 with special luxury finish. The model has a polished-brushed stainless steel bracelet, with a new integration to the case, giving the dive watch a dressy feel. Those wanting a sportier look can choose an integrated green rubber strap.
Speedmaster ’57 Calibre 9906
OMEGA’s famous Speedmaster ’57, first introduced in 2013, returns with a Master Chronometer upgrade and slimmer profile. The new collection consists of eight new stainless steel models, all powered by OMEGA’s Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 9906. The use of a manual-winding movement allows for a thinner case and finer bezel, giving the new ’57 watches a streamlined look. There’s a “sandwich” black dial edition with recessed hour markers filled with vintage Super-LumiNova, and three releases with PVD dials, in blue, green and a new varnished burgundy. The entire collection is presented with stainless steel bracelets or matching coloured leather straps. At just 12.99 mm, the new ’57 is considerably slimmer than its cousin the Speedmaster Moonwatch 3861.
