First created in 2019, Omega’s ground-breaking Ultra Deep watch has been repurposed into a new 45.5 mm collection available to the public. Tested in real ocean conditions, this incredible divers’ range is water-resistant to 6,000 metres (20,000 ft.) and certified to meet the ISO 6425 standard. The watch is as expected, rather large and chunky, but will definitely appeal to those who want a statement piece or who are planning for a really deep dive.
We covered the new Ultra Deep collection, including our insider commentary in our release details of the new collection. The model we are reviewing here is the steel series, available in several colour options.
Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Ultra Deep in O-MEGASTEEL
The Omega Ultra Deep Steel on Rubber: 215.32.46.21.03.001/ 215.32.46.21.04.001 RRP CHF 10,400 / RSP SGD$16,450
The Case and Dial
This 45.5 mm model in robust O-MEGASTEEL features a polished black ceramic bezel with its diving scale in Liquidmetal™. It also measures 18.12 mm in height. Through the protuberant and domed sapphire crystal, the lacquered gradient dial transitions from blue to black, and has been given 18K white gold hands and hour markers, which are all coated with white Super-LumiNova.
The watch is set on a rubber strap with cyan lining and an O-MEGASTEEL buckle. It is also available on a steel bracelet.
The use of a new O-MEGASTEEL is also a significant noteworthy technical detail. Omega decided to use a new steel alloy also known as O-MEGASTEEL that is designed to meet three goals – the new steel must be harder (300 Vickers vs 150 V for 316L steel), have a higher yield strength (560 MPa vs 200 MPa for 316L) and visually whiter in hue than standard stainless steel used in the watch industry (316L Stainless Steel). The harder and stronger steel means that it takes considerably more effort to cut, shape, and polish the steel.
These watches are rated to 6,000m and meet ISO 6425 specifications for diving watches. For comparison, their competitor Rolex’s commercially available Deep Sea Sea Dweller is rated to 3,900m. We do note that the watch is designed for and is suitable for saturation diving applications.
As mentioned in our earlier insights article on the Ultra Deep, “Omega tells us that the ISO 6425 saturation testing for helium egress is done to 40 bars (400m) for 14 days. This is more than sufficient for practical purposes, but technically not at the full depth rating.” The Ultra Deep can meet this specification easily as so much care and engineering has been taken to ensure the crystal, case back and crown are strong enough to withstand the pressure without the use of a helium escape valve in this watch.
While on the caseback’s Grade 5 titanium medallion, there is a laser-engraved Sonar emblem with the iconic OMEGA Seahorse at its centre. Inside, the watch is driven by the OMEGA Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 8912.
The Movement
The model comes with a full 5-year warranty and is powered by the OMEGA Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 8912.
The watch is powered by Omega’s Master Co-Axial calibre 8912, a self-winding movement that features a power reserve of approximately 60 hours. It is equipped with the latest anti-magnetic technology, hence its ability to resist magnetic fields greater than 15,000 gauss. Unlike the conventional anti-magnetic watches which use a Faraday cage to protect the movement, Omega uses non-ferromagnetic materials to construct certain parts of the movements instead. The end results are similar; they are able to protect the movements from magnetic forces of up to certain magnitude. The movement is also METAS and COSC certified.
Concluding Thoughts
It will take a rather large wrist to pull this off. From a practical point of view, it is highly unlikely that anyone will need a 6000m depth rating timepiece. Most 500m diver watches should do the trick. But then again, as a statement piece, the Ultra Deep doesn’t just look the part, but also lives up to its name. The 6000m depth rating is also chosen so that it handily beats its only serious rival – the Rolex Deep Sea Sea Dweller, which has a rating of 3900m. Overall, the watch is wearable although considerably thicker than regular dive watches. And because of that, is unlikely that it’ll make a comfortable daily beater, but will add some variety as an occasional timepiece.
1 Comment
The Rolex Deep Sea is not actually a “serious rival” as it no longer complies with ISO 6425, as revised in 2018 as it lacks luminous markers at each 5 minute marker because Rolex remove the luminous marker at 3 O’clock to accommodate the date complication. The same is true of all Rolex “dive” watches with a date complication. The only ISO 6425 dive watch that Rolex make is the standard Submariner without a date. All other Rolex “dive” watches are merely “diver style” watches. This is particularly odd because the latest Submariner was introduced after the 2018 revision of ISO 6425.