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For 2013, the newest member of the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean collection is the long-awaited Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean GMT. Just before the annual Baselworld watch trade show event, we debuted to the world, the new Planet Ocean GMT GoodPlanet watch here. That blue and orange version of the new GMT watch bears the GoodPlanet foundation name, whom Omega teamed up with to produce a new environmentalist film with the name “Planet Ocean.” Sales revenue of that specific piece will partially go to the foundation. However, in addition to the blue and orange GoodPlanet version of the GMT, we have a nice hands-on look at the other versions of the really nice new Seamaster Planet Ocean GMT timepieces.

As is the case with most new Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean watches, these are difficult to photograph. That is due to the polished elements mixed with the slightly glossy black dial. Mediocre images aside, the PO GMT is a great looking watch. At launch, Omega does not disappoint by offering most of the color tones that people appreciate in the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean collection.

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While the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean GMT is a dive watch, Omega is careful not to call it a dive watch. Why? Well it technically isn’t a “professional” dive watch despite its hardy construction and 600 meters of water resistance. Omega Seamaster collection watches that do fit the criteria for professional dive watches bear a “Professional” label on the dial. What prevents the GMT from being a pro diver? Mainly the lack of a rotating diver’s bezel. As the watch is a GMT, it has a bi-directional 24 hour scale for the GMT hand. Moving it allows one to track a third time zone. A professional dive watch has a 60 minute uni-directional timing ring instead.

To be honest, it seems like a small technicality. For most intents and purposes, the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean is a fully capable diver, being included in a rather well-known dive watch family. As we mentioned in the debut post discussing the PO GMT, the best thing about it is probably the size. At 43.5mm wide, it sits between the smaller 42mm wide case and the 45mm wide case. Personally, I find this 43.5mm wide size to be perfect for daily wear. All sizes of the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean are quite comfortable, but for me the 43.5mm wide size is the right temperature of porridge.

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Nevertheless, like all Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean watches, the case is quite thick. No matter how dressy it looks, people with cuffs will notice that pieces like this don’t like to hide under shirt sleeves. At launch, Omega will offer the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean in both steel and 18k rose/red gold. Of course the watch comes fitted to Omega’s excellent and good looking Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean bracelet, or a rubber strap. The gold version comes on a black alligator strap.

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While I prefer bracelets, I’ve found that for optimal comfort and a solid fit (especially for sport activities), you probably want to go with Omega’s quality rubber strap. It comes with a high-quality deployant clasp, and fits snug like a glove on your wrist. I don’t believe that Omega will offer a titanium version of the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean GMT for 2013. If you’ve noticed, Omega likes to give their titanium watches blue dials. So the Planet Ocean three-hand in titanium as well as the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Chronograph in titanium come with blue dials and bezels. The blue and orange GoodPlanet GMT is in steel. So perhaps a titanium GMT will come in the next year or two. An interesting titanium model that did show up for 2013 was a blue dialed titanium version of the Speedmaster Co-Axial Chronograph.

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With the GMT available, Omega now has a solid trio of Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean pieces with in-house made movements. Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean fans have also been eagerly awaiting the availability of a new Omega sport watch with a GMT complication. The watch contains the same in-house made caliber 8605 Co-Axial automatic (COSC Chronometer certified) movement as the Omega Aqua Terra GMT, but the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean has a full-sized GMT hand – that many people seem to prefer. Thankfully, the GMT hand with its polite, orange-tipped arrow hand is easy to read, but does not distract from reading the time. Many people will also appreciate that the movement is viewable through a sapphire crystal case back window.

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In addition to the blue and orange GoodPlanet version of the PO GMT, a few models are available for 2013. This again includes the gold with black version, the all-black dial model, the black with orange Arabic numerals, and the orange bezel with black dial model. All of these versions have ceramic bezels with lacquer painted numerals… save for the GMT with the orange bezel (which is an aluminum insert). No one has really perfected producing a quality orange color in ceramic yet. As is the case with all other Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean watches, the dial lume should be excellent. So we welcome a new member of the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean collection watch with the GMT. It isn’t a revolutionary addition, but it is a new flavor which Omega cleverly combined with a new size option for its popular diver. Priced at $7,600 – $8,100 in steel and $28,600 in 18k rose gold. omegawatches.com


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