This 12 months, Omega introduced that it has been named Official Timekeeper of the 36th America’s Cup. For the previous 25 years, the model has been the watch on-board with Emirates Group New Zealand (ETNZ). Right this moment, we go hands-on with a restricted version timepiece which celebrates that very partnership and the upcoming competitors: the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 36th America’s Cup Restricted-Version
This isn’t the primary time the model has unveiled a restricted version watch to commemorate the America’s Cup. For the 35th America’s Cup in 2017, Omega launched a commemorative Seamaster 300m, X-33, and Planet Ocean GMT 600m. That 12 months, ETNZ gained the competitors, with the boat’s engineers sporting each the X-33 and Planet Ocean on wrist. Sponsoring the reigning champs and being named Official Timekeeper of the famed yachting occasion is massive information. Omega has fittingly returned to fairly a considerable and particular watch to have a good time the event.
Having spent little or no time with a Seamaster Planet Ocean 600m within the steel earlier than, I used to be actually struck by the standard of the watch. I imply, this isn’t to say that I anticipated deficiencies or one thing – that is Omega in spite of everything – however I’ve to say that the watch presents as a extremely well-built piece of horological engineering. Positive it is received heft, however it’s the little thrives on the case, bezel, and dial that stood out. Issues just like the beveling, curvature, and combination of brushed and polished surfaces on the case had been very nice to look at in individual as effectively.
Coming in at 43.5mm, this watch reads massive on paper and appears massive within the hand however, as they are saying, what actually issues is invisible to the eyes. The way in which the lugs curve downward, and with the comparatively brief 44.8mm lug-to-lug distance, the watch feels extra akin to a 41mm timepiece on the wrist. Even with the white dial – a function that may usually create the phantasm of a watch sporting bigger than it really is – this watch by no means felt gargantuan or obtrusive. In actual fact, it was fairly the alternative.
Trying on the dial, the Arabic numerals are literally blue with a pink varnish on high. This produces a noticeable three-dimensionality which is sort of placing. Turning the dial in several instructions produces new and fascinating viewing angles. I wish to suppose this additionally has one thing to do with the scale of the numerals themselves. The dial could be massive, however the numerals are literally fairly demure relative to the remainder of the dial. Consequently, the numerals present a good pop of pink versus being the primary attraction.
Between the pink numerals, pink minute hand, and thick blue surrounds on the hour markers and fingers, viewing the time is simple. Now, I am no yachting man (although I play one on TV), however I’ve to suppose such legibility is paramount and important for elite yachting competitors. The white dial has its personal little quirks as effectively, relying on the sunshine. Generally it has a easy, virtually lacquer-like texture, whereas different occasions it provides off the briefest indication of a silvered metallic sunburst impact. Each the Omega wordmark and brand are utilized in blue. The blue software would not essentially shine or mirror, however relatively exudes a shimmer or glowing impact.
On the dial, the trapezoidal markers are white, lume-filled, and surrounded in blue, whereas at 12, three, six, and 9, the markers are square-shaped. Every of the markers are concave in the direction of the middle which offers some actually fascinating geometric element to an in any other case simple side of the watch. The date complication – usually a degree of competition – works properly right here. The floor space of the date window seems to take up successfully the identical area as any one of many numerals. In doing so, the general format maintains symmetry and consistency. Would it not have been cool for the numbers on the date wheel to have been pink, and even in a roulette-style format? Positive, however because it stands, I nonetheless suppose the white on white works effectively.
The case is usual from stainless-steel and ZrO2 blue ceramic. As with different watches from Omega, you may spot the discreet demarcation of the ceramic compound printed on the dial simply beneath the “Skilled” phrase mark. The bezel is, likewise, comprised of polished blue ceramic stuffed with white and pink liquid ceramic for the diving scale. The colours on the bezel are each vivid and muted relying on the sunshine. The pink and white portion of the bezel capabilities as a yacht timer and represents the time allowed for individuals to organize pre-race, with the “Begin” indication representing, fairly actually, the beginning of the race. That is each a design and practical function particular to yacht racing and is, in fact, de rigueur on an America’s Cup restricted version timepiece.
The watch, in fact, is powered by the Omega Co-Axial Chonometer Calibre 8900. This can be a self-winding, anti-magnetic (to 15,000 gauss) chronometer-certified motion with a silicon steadiness spring and free-sprung steadiness. Whereas the motion is chronometer-certified, it would not cease there. Omega places its actions by way of a second, extra rigorous METAS certification course of. That is all to say that this motion is admittedly good, has severe horological chops, and is tremendous correct as well.
The embellished caseback reveals the well-known “Auld Mug” trophy atop a blue display with a wave motif and the textual content “36th America’s Cup, Auckland 2021.” This ornamentation obscures the flexibility to actually view the motion. In a approach, the shortcoming to see the motion is becoming. A “true” software watch typically should not have an open caseback, so in some ways, that is one thing of a hybrid – partly open, partly closed. I am unsure that this was the intention, however that is how I view it.
The strap is made from a mushy structured rubber with a twin-trigger deployant clasp. I discovered it to be immensely comfy, if not one of the comfy rubber straps I can recall sporting. It has a woven sample with white stitching. It is rather supple, which makes it simple to contour to any wrist as soon as the sizing is true. The watch itself is just a little bit top-heavy, however the ease of re-sizing through the deployant clasp, and the mushy malleable nature of the strap, make discovering a middle wrist place and true measurement fairly simple.
On the wrist, the heft of the watch vanishes. I’ve to suppose that, regardless of the diameter of the dial, that the shorter lug width permits for such an unexpectedly good match. The watch seemed and felt nice on my wrist, and I’m sometimes somebody who faucets out at 42mm. Regardless that it is a tall watch, the execution of the case, bevels, angles, and ending masks any feeling of the watch being too tall. There is no slab sidedness, and the helium escape valve on the underside helps to masks any perceived (or actual) thickness.
The lume pip on the bezel is handled in inexperienced Tremendous-LumiNova, as is the minute hand. That is vital as a result of these are the 2 most vital points of the watch from a timing perspective. The unidirectional bezel capabilities to orient the person to the minute hand which then tracks time alongside the bezel from its set start line. Omega treats the remainder of the markers in blue, together with the hour and second fingers, in order that the inexperienced might be simply recognized towards them in low mild environs. That is frequent apply throughout the Planet Ocean 600m assortment, however no much less helpful for aggressive yachting.
Total, this watch is constructed like a tank. After sporting and dealing with it for a superb spell, I had one constant thought: This factor is strong and constructed to final. The watch has loads occurring, positive, however surprisingly, all of it works cohesively. Omega delivered a wild and colourful design match for ETNZ, but additionally one that may be loved by anybody. The outside is the place the watch actually shines. The whites get brighter, the blues bluer, and the reds richer. Whereas I may not be aboard with Emirates Group New Zealand subsequent 12 months as they appear to take residence “Auld Mug” as soon as once more, this watch will probably be. From every thing I’ve noticed, it ought to be a trustworthy companion for the voyage.
The Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 36th America’s Cup Restricted Version. Ref. 215.32.43.21.04.001. Chrome steel and blue ceramic case measuring 43.5mm by 16.04mm in diameter. In-house Omega Co-Axial Grasp Chronometer Calibre 8900 with a frequency of three.5 Hz, 39 jewels, and an influence reserve of 60 hours. White-colored dial with utilized markers and lume on fingers and plots. Water-proof to 600 meters. Textured blue and pink rubber strap with stainless-steel folding clasp. Value: $7,050. For extra, go to Omega.
Pictures, Kasia Milton
