Omega Planet Ocean chronograph - brief report

[Otis]

Did a spot of shopping today, and of course I couldn't help but check out the AD and the new PO chrono they've got in stock. Boy, it is one big watch.
The diameter is fine, due to the layout of the dial being very well proportioned & organised, but it sits very, very high on the wrist. Almost a little too high for my taste, so forget about wearing this if you have french cuffs, or even tight normal ones! It seems as if the watch is very 'round', which certainly doesn't help the height either. The chrono pushers were also a little big for my taste.

Now, those are about the only negative I could find. This watch feels solid, and Omega have really excelled with regards to build quality. The new bezel is just great and is just so sure and exact when you turn it. Each 'click' is like the locking of a deadbolt - it's not going to budge an inch. I must say this is a vast improvement over the seamaster's scalloped bezel in terms of grip and useability.

As usual, Omega have brought out another fantastic bracelet. All the wonderful simplicity of a speedmaster bracelet, with the toughness and solidity of the seamaser bond bracelet. This thing won't stretch one millimeter.

Colour is also interesting on the PO chrono (no ed...I won't say the O word for your sake). The dial is not quite black, it's more of a coalish colour, with a nice matte finish that still has a lustre to it, almost like super fine grit black sandpaper. The variety is also good, you can get a black bezel & black face with white numerals, or with orange (sorry ed!) numbers - this is a winning combo IMO.

So, overall first impressions were good: Fantastic build quality, great looks, and of course the new co-ax movement. But, the entire package is let down a bit by the height of it, just in my opinion. It should sit flatter on the wrist, and not look like you have two soup plates strapped on. Oh... it's also heavy, but it's a comforting heft.

No, I didn't buy one... list was just over $7K australian, and I can think of other watches I'd buy at that price. But, if this is the direction that Omega is travelling, I certainly look forward to seeing what the future holds!

[Rockrolex]

Originally Posted by Otis

Did a spot of shopping today, and of course I couldn't help but check out the AD and the new PO chrono they've got in stock. Boy, it is one big watch.
The diameter is fine, due to the layout of the dial being very well proportioned & organised, but it sits very, very high on the wrist. Almost a little too high for my taste, so forget about wearing this if you have french cuffs, or even tight normal ones! It seems as if the watch is very 'round', which certainly doesn't help the height either. The chrono pushers were also a little big for my taste.

Now, those are about the only negative I could find. This watch feels solid, and Omega have really excelled with regards to build quality. The new bezel is just great and is just so sure and exact when you turn it. Each 'click' is like the locking of a deadbolt - it's not going to budge an inch. I must say this is a vast improvement over the seamaster's scalloped bezel in terms of grip and useability.

As usual, Omega have brought out another fantastic bracelet. All the wonderful simplicity of a speedmaster bracelet, with the toughness and solidity of the seamaser bond bracelet. This thing won't stretch one millimeter.

Colour is also interesting on the PO chrono (no ed...I won't say the O word for your sake). The dial is not quite black, it's more of a coalish colour, with a nice matte finish that still has a lustre to it, almost like super fine grit black sandpaper. The variety is also good, you can get a black bezel & black face with white numerals, or with orange (sorry ed!) numbers - this is a winning combo IMO.

So, overall first impressions were good: Fantastic build quality, great looks, and of course the new co-ax movement. But, the entire package is let down a bit by the height of it, just in my opinion. It should sit flatter on the wrist, and not look like you have two soup plates strapped on. Oh... it's also heavy, but it's a comforting heft.

No, I didn't buy one... list was just over $7K australian, and I can think of other watches I'd buy at that price. But, if this is the direction that Omega is travelling, I certainly look forward to seeing what the future holds!

Good review, Otis. Thanks for being so considerate.

As it turns out, I was at our local AD's today and they had the orange bezel PO in the window. It was almost tolerable to look at there, but I still think it's fugly.

[JJ Irani]

Great review, Otis. Haven't seen the Chrono version yet, but did own the other PO and I have to admit that the construction and solidness of the watch is very, very impressive.

Even the bracelet felt solid and with a good finish. You would need a large wrist for that watch.

JJ

[C.J.]

Great review, Otis Thanks

[Prince]

Originally Posted by Rockrolex

...It was almost tolerable to look at there, but I still think it's fugly.

That's a lot more generous than you usually are toward the Orange Thing, Ed.

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by Prince

That's a lot more generous than you usually are toward the Orange Thing, Ed.

Oh yeah? Let's see his reaction now!!!

[Prince]

Well, now he'll blow his top, JJ! You really DO like waving that red flag in front of bulls, don't you?

In this case, ORANGE...

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by Prince

Well, now he'll blow his top, JJ! You really DO like waving that red flag in front of bulls, don't you?

In this case, ORANGE...

Well, let me put it this way, Allan. I LOVE waving red or orange (in Ed's case) flags in front of people I truly LOVE!!

[AGENT4734]

Very nice watch JJ!!!

[Otis]

Originally Posted by Rockrolex

Good review, Otis. Thanks for being so considerate.

As it turns out, I was at our local AD's today and they had the orange bezel PO in the window. It was almost tolerable to look at there, but I still think it's fugly.

Yeah, it's a lot better than in the photos, but I'm sill not sold. But that orange strap..... yuck. Yuck yuck yuck.

[puffnmo]

Originally Posted by Otis

Yeah, it's a lot better than in the photos, but I'm sill not sold. But that orange strap..... yuck. Yuck yuck yuck.

HEY! I love my orange bezel SMP WITH THE ORANGE STRAP
I sometimes wear it with all black. When it peeks out from under my shirt cuff guys want to shake my hand, women swoon, dogs bark, children stare with round eyes, I get a call from Larry King, and every hotel casino in Vegas offers me unlimited free suite w/full comps. Larry.

[Perdu]

Personally, I'm not sure I like the matt, almost dark gray, dial. I tried on the 45.5mm version - a very impressive watch and very positive click to the bezel in comparison with the Rolex Sub.