At the end of June, we were invited to Paris for an OMEGA cocktail party to inaugurate the “Omega loves Printemps” exhibition at Printemps de la Mode, whose Atrium was decorated in the colors of the Olympic rings for the occasion.
Over a hundred guests, journalists, influencers, friends and customers of the brand gathered to celebrate this space dedicated to OMEGA’s role as Official Timekeeper of the next Summer Olympic Games to be held in Rio in August.
Mr Paolo di Cesare, President of Printemps, Denis Masseglia, President of the French National Olympic Committee, Mrs Florence Ollivier, Managing Director of Swatch Group France, Jean-Pascal Perret, VP communication OMEGA and Arnaud Michon, Brand Manager OMEGA France cut the symbolic red ribbon.
The wall features videos on the 27-year history of the famous watchmaking house and the Olympic Games, and giant screens showing behind-the-scenes timekeeping.
On the floor, a scenography dedicated to sporting disciplines, with a design reminiscent of swimming pools or stadium racecourses. A fun photo call allows guests to compare their body shape with that of OMEGA ambassador Michael Phelps, winner of 22 Olympic medals!
OMEGA is taking this opportunity to unveil the new SEAMASTER PLANET OCEAN collection, which marks a new milestone for OMEGA with the world’s first diving watches to feature the revolutionary Master Chronometer movement. Established by the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology (METAS), known for maintaining its independence, Master Chronometer standards are the most demanding in the industry.
The highlight of the evening was the exclusive presentation of four new models in black ceramic, called DEEP BLACK. These four 45.5 mm watches are the result of the remarkable combination of a GMT model and a diver’s watch. OMEGA has once again taken up a real technical challenge: to create a diver’s watch made entirely of ceramic, capable of withstanding pressures of 60 bar at a depth of 600 m. These exceptional creations, veritable gems of the watchmaking industry, aroused the greatest curiosity and enthusiasm.
Throughout the evening, guests were able to discover the antimagnetic and water-resistance properties of the new SEAMASTER PLANET OCEAN in the company of the company’s watchmakers.
The “OMEGA LOVES PRINTEMPS” exhibition is open to the general public until August 20, 2016 at Printemps Mode, level -1
64, boulevard Haussmann, Paris 9
OMEGA has always drawn its inspiration from the ocean depths of the blue planet. In 2005, after decades of experimentation both underwater and on the surface, we turned to the heroes of underwater exploration to create the Planet Ocean collection. This original series of diving watches honours the spirit of pioneers such as William Beebe, Jacques Cousteau and Jacques Mayol, all of whom wore an OMEGA diving watch.
But Planet Ocean watches are not just a story of inspiration.
On land and at sea, OMEGA watches are jewels of elegance and high-tech. OMEGA presents the new generation of an already famous collection. Omega has used the most innovative materials and manufacturing processes to revolutionize the design of these 38 new models. Each watch bears the designation of Master Chronometer, an extremely demanding certification that testifies to the highest degree of precision and performance ever achieved in our profession. Today, the Master Chronometer Planet Ocean 600M opens up a new horizon for watchmaking excellence.
THE NEW PLANET OCEAN 600M MASTER CHRONOMETER
For this new generation of Planet Ocean watches, OMEGA has used the most innovative and modern materials. The dials and bezels of almost all models are made of ceramic. Liquidmetal® has been used to create a diving scale that is both beautiful and highly resistant. And for the first time in the Planet Ocean collection, Sedna™ 18K gold offers an unalterable copper tone. Finally, OMEGA’s Ceragold™ allows ceramic bezels to be combined with 18K gold numerals and scales.
To accompany these new cases, the design of the bracelets has been revisited. The attachment between the case and the traditional metal bracelet has been slightly modified for a better, more elegant fit on the wrist. A textile look has been given to the new rubber straps, also treated against bacteria for risk-free submersion. The water-resistant leather straps also feature an antibacterial rubber lining for added comfort and functionality.
Other subtle differences include new Arabic numerals, a new screw-down caseback with honeycomb design, a new decal minute track, and Master Chronometer certification for all models in the collection. In order to comply with standards for precision, performance and magnetic resistance, all watches have been subjected to eight rigorous tests defined by the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology (METAS).
THE PLANET OCEAN CHRONOGRAPH 45.5 mm
Planet Ocean 600M Master Chronometer chronographs have been designed to be exceptional. The polished ceramic dials come in black or blue, and the cases are made of stainless steel and 18K Sedna™ gold. The watches are powered by the new 9900 / 9901 Master Chronometer caliber.
For the first time, rubber has also been combined with ceramic on several models to create an unusual bezel. This colorful innovation indicates the first fifteen minutes of the bezel, which is very practical for the safety of divers underwater.
One of the models also features a grade 5 titanium case, with a gray silicon nitride bezel and a sand-blasted grade 5 titanium dial.
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- Endangered banggai cardinalfish, Pterapogon kauderni, at Omahas Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium.
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- Endangered banggai cardinalfish, Pterapogon kauderni, at Omahas Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium.
THE PLANET OCEAN 43.5 mm MEN’S COLLECTION
Men’s models feature black or blue ceramic dials. Most cases are stainless steel, with the exception of a version in 18K Sedna™ gold, featuring a blue dial.
Like the chronographs, this men’s collection also features several new models with innovative ceramic and rubber bezels. One of the grade 5 titanium models features the same technology on its gray silicon nitride bezel. This version features a sandblasted grade 5 titanium dial.
LA PLANET OCEAN 43.5 mm GMT
This watch, with its black ceramic dial, features the world’s first bi-directional bezel composed of two polished ceramics, one black and the other white. The numerals and scales have contrasting colors to differentiate day from night, and the watch is powered by Master Chronometer caliber 8906.
THE PLANET OCEAN 39.5 mm COLLECTION
At 39.5 mm, the new size of the Planet Ocean 600M Master Chronometer for women is positioned between the traditional 42 mm and 37.5 mm cases. Dials and bezels are available in white, blue or black ceramic, and the watches feature the 8800 / 8801 OMEGA Master Chronometer caliber.
Most cases are in stainless steel, although there is a version with Sedna™ 18K gold, featuring a white ceramic dial.
Finally, only one model in Sedna™ 18K gold has a chocolate-colored ceramic dial and bezel.
SEAMASTER PLANET OCEAN “DEEP BLACK” COLLECTION
In our universe, the oceans of our planet are naturally linked to the movements of the Moon. At OMEGA, this connection is also illustrated in our latest ceramic collection. Since the release of the Speedmaster “Dark Side of the Moon” in 2013, OMEGA has advanced its ceramic expertise to build the Seamaster Planet Ocean “Deep Black”, pushing the boundaries of its craftsmanship even further.
These four 45.5 mm watches are the result of the remarkable combination of a GMT model and a diver’s watch. The real technical challenge was to create a diver’s watch made entirely of ceramic, capable of withstanding pressures of 60 bar at a depth of 600 m. The result? Here it is: an exceptional creation, a true pearl of the watchmaking industry.
TEN UNIQUE FEATURES OF THE “DEEP BLACK” COLLECTION
It’s a first for the Planet Ocean collection: each “Deep Black” case is fashioned from a single block of ceramic. The unidirectional bezels and dials with new Arabic numerals are also made of ceramic.
On models in black and Sedna™ 18K gold, the ceramic dials and cases have been polished to achieve a glossy effect. The blue and red versions are brushed, with a matte effect offering improved underwater visibility.
A new GMT bezel has been fixed to the dial, while the diving scale is indicated on the ceramic, Liquidmetal® or Ceragold™ bezel.
For the black model, Liquidmetal® is also used for the He symbol on the helium valve and for the OMEGA symbol on the crown. On the blue and red models, these two symbols are colored with injected rubber.
For the first time, rubber is combined with ceramic to create a unique diving bezel. On the blue and red models, the first fifteen minutes of the bezel are colored, a very useful innovation for divers.
An equally remarkable first for this collection, OMEGA has created an oriented back to ensure that the engraving remains perfectly in position, thanks to the brand’s new patented “Naiad Lock” ceramic system. The honeycomb design of the caseback also features an attractive undulating pattern.
The colors, meanwhile, are no accident. Imagine yourself diving to the depths of the ocean. At 5 m, the first color to disappear is red. This stealthy diver’s watch will adopt an advantageous camouflage, matching the color of your wetsuit. Continue your descent to -275 m, and the last color you’ll distinguish is the blue found on the “Deep Black” model. Finally, at -300 m, the ocean turns black. The Sedna™ 18K gold model is a version dedicated to the art of living, for those who also like to enjoy the deck of their boat.
The watch hands and hour markers are made of 18K Sedna™ gold or 18K white gold, coated with white Super-LumiNova that emits a green or blue halo.
A textile effect has been given to the black rubber bracelets, with contrasting stitching, and they feature an antibacterial coating. A wave motif appears on the reverse. The strap on the Sedna™ gold model is made of water-resistant leather, equipped with the same antibacterial coating on its reverse side. The folding clasp is in titanium and ceramic, while the top of the clasp is available in ceramic with two different finishes.
The “Deep Black” watches are powered by the OMEGA Master Chronometer caliber 8906, resistant to magnetic fields of 15,000 gauss. All the watches have the usual COSC certification, and have also been subjected to eight tests defined by the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology (METAS), which are far more stringent in terms of precision and performance. This watch comes with a four-year warranty.
Exhibition” OMEGA LOVES PRINTEMPS ”
Exhibition open to the general public
From June 25 to August 20, 2016
Printemps Mode, level -1
64, boulevard Haussmann, Paris 9
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