In 2005, OMEGA launched a new professional diver’s watch collection under the OMEGA Seamaster watch collection dubbed the Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M. Although modern in terms of design, materials, and mechanics, the OMEGA Planet Ocean models draw inspiration from the brand’s rich legacy of diving watches. Today, the Planet Ocean is OMEGA’s signature pro dive watch line and in true form, there are plenty of variations available.
In addition to the core time-and-date models, there are also several other OMEGA Planet Ocean watches, including both chronographs and GMT versions. OMEGA first introduced the Seamaster Planet Ocean GMT watch collection in 2013 and then updated the range in 2016. Combining all the capabilities of a true travel watch with the core functionality of a professional diver makes the OMEGA Seamaster Planet Ocean GMT the perfect go-anywhere, do-anything timekeeping companion. If you’re interested in a luxury dive watch that offers practical GMT functionality, here’s everything you need to know about the OMEGA Seamaster Planet Ocean GMT.
OMEGA Seamaster Planet Ocean GMT
Seamaster Planet Ocean GMT Quick Specs
- Year of Introduction: 2013
- Case Size: 43.5mm or 45.5mm
- Materials: Steel, Gold, Titanium, or Ceramic
- Functions: Time w/ Running Seconds, Date Display, GMT-Functionality
- Bezel: Bidirectional, Ceramic Insert w/ 24-hour or 60-Minute Scale
- Crystal: Sapphire (Domed)
- Water Resistance: 600 Meters / 2,000 Feet (Helium Escape Valve)
- Movement: OMEGA Cal. 8605, Cal. 8615, or Cal. 8906
Planet Ocean GMT Timeline
- 2005: OMEGA introduces the Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M line.
- 2013: OMEGA debuts the Seamaster Planet Ocean GMT.
- 2014: OMEGA launches a limited-edition platinum Seamaster Planet Ocean GMT with the world’s first orange ceramic bezel.
- 2016: OMEGA releases the METAS-certified Seamaster Planet Ocean GMT Master Chronometer.
- 2016: OMEGA launches the ceramic Seamaster Planet Ocean GMT Deep Black.
- 2017: OMEGA launches the ceramic Seamaster Planet Ocean GMT Big Blue.
First Generation OMEGA Planet Ocean GMT
Eight years after the initial 2005 introduction of the Planet Ocean collection, the OMEGA Planet Ocean GMT made its debut in 2013. One of our favorite additions we mentioned in our Planet Ocean 600M buying guide is the 43.5mm case size to the lineup, which was in between the existing 42mm and 45.5mm Planet Ocean cases. Similar to other Planet Ocean models, the GMT edition is water-resistant to 600 meters (2,000 feet), includes a manually-operated helium escape valve at 10’clock, and a highly luminous dial.
However, unlike the unidirectional 60-minute dive bezels of the other Planet Ocean watches, most of the Planet Ocean GMT includes a bidirectional rotating bezel marked to 24 hours. This is, of course, because the 24-hour bezel is used in conjunction with the additional GMT hand on the dial to display a secondary time zone. A particularly appealing design touch on the Planet Ocean is the use of OMEGA’s iconic double broad arrow hands where both the hour and minute hands include large arrow tips. The Planet Ocean GMT also includes a date window at 3 o’clock, which accompanies 6, 9, and 12 Arabic numerals and tapered baton indexes at the rest of the hours. Protecting the face of the watch is the domed scratch-resistant sapphire crystal treated with an anti-reflective coating on both sides.
The back of the watch is also furnished with sapphire crystal to allow a view of the movement inside the watch. The first generation Planet Ocean watches run on the self-winding Caliber 8605 (or in precious metal variants, the more decorative Caliber 8615 with a pink gold rotor and balance bridge) with 60 hours of power reserve. These movements come equipped with OMEGA’s famous Co-Axial escapement technology that has less friction than the ubiquitous lever escapement, which results in longer service intervals due to the fact that it is less reliant on lubricants.
OMEGA is known for offering plenty of material, bracelet, and color options – and the first-generation Planet Ocean GMT is no exception. An especially good-looking one we review in our OMEGA Planet Ocean GMT guide is the ref. 232.30.44.22.01.002, which features a stainless steel case, steel bracelet, black bezel, and black dial with orange numerals. Another popular option is the Planet Ocean GMT GoodPlanet, which offers a vibrant blue and orange colorway.
First-Generation Planet Ocean GMT References
Below is a list of different Planet Ocean GMT (with Caliber 8605/8615) references:
- 232.30.44.22.01.001: Steel case, steel bracelet, black bezel, black dial.
- 232.32.44.22.01.001: Steel case, black rubber strap, black bezel, black dial.
- 232.30.44.22.01.002: Steel case, steel bracelet, black bezel, black dial with orange details.
- 232.32.44.22.01.002: Steel case, black rubber strap, black bezel, black dial with orange details.
- 232.90.44.22.03.001: Titanium case, titanium bracelet, blue bezel, blue dial.
- 232.92.44.22.03.001: Titanium case, blue rubber strap, blue bezel, blue dial.
- 232.30.44.22.03.001: GoodPlanet, steel case, steel bracelet, blue bezel with orange numerals, blue dial.
- 232.32.44.22.03.001: GoodPlanet, steel case, blue rubber strap, blue bezel with orange numerals, blue dial.
- 232.63.44.22.01.001: Red gold case, black leather strap, black bezel, black dial.
- 232.93.44.22.99.001: Platinum case, orange leather strap, orange ceramic bezel, gray dial (limited to eight pieces).
METAS-Certified Planet Ocean GMT Watches
In 2016, OMEGA released a new Planet Ocean GMT Master Chronometer model fitted with a new-generation movement: the Caliber 8906. Like all OMEGA Master Chronometer movements, the Caliber 8906 is certified by METAS (Switzerland’s federal Institute of Meteorology) to be both exceptionally accurate and also resistant to magnetic fields up to 15,000 gauss.
Design-wise, the new METAS-certified Planet Ocean GMT watches retain the same 43.5mm case sizes of the previous models, and they are also fitted with ceramic bezel inserts. However, in contrast to the earlier models with single-color ceramic inserts, the newer models feature two-tone ceramic bezels with a white section and a black section – an industry first. While other watch brands (such as Rolex) had already introduced two-tone bezels, the difference here is that those bezels are first fashioned in one color and then treated with special chemicals to achieve two different shades. Conversely, the OMEGA Planet Ocean GMT Master Chronometer watches bring together two different colored ceramic pieces to form the bezel.
OMEGA currently makes the Planet Ocean GMT Master Chronometer exclusively in stainless steel and fitted with a black dial and a black and white bezel. However, buyers do have a choice between a stainless steel bracelet or a black leather strap.
METAS-CERTIFIED Planet Ocean GMT References
The two Planet Ocean GMT Master Chronometer (with Caliber 8906) references are the following:
– 215.30.44.22.01.001: Steel case, steel bracelet, black/white bezel, black dial.
– 215.33.44.22.01.001: Steel case, black leather strap, black/white bezel, black dial.
Ceramic Planet Ocean GMT Watches
Those still wondering what’s the best OMEGA Planet Ocean watch can’t call their search complete without first examining the Deep Black Planet Ocean watches. This sub-collection of Planet Ocean GMT watches was introduced in 2016, so you will likely need to purchase one on the secondary market. Like the popular Speedmaster “Dark Side of the Moon” models, this collection has full-ceramic cases. As their name suggests, the Planet Ocean GMT “Deep Black” watches include GMT functionality. However, these watches are markedly different from the previous Planet Ocean GMT references that we have covered so far.
First of all, these black ceramic cases are notably larger, coming in at 45.5mm wide and 17.8mm thick. Furthermore, the Planet Ocean GMT “Deep Black” models return to their diving watch roots by having unidirectional 60-minute timing bezels instead of bidirectional 24-hour bezels. To retain the dual-time functionality, OMEGA moved the 24-hour GMT scale to the periphery of the dial. Similar to the black and white Planet Ocean GMT, the Deep Black Planet Ocean GMT watches are also powered by the METAS-certified Caliber 8906 movement.
Ceramic Planet Ocean GMT References
The four main models of the Planet Ocean GMT Deep Black range include the following references:
- 215.92.46.22.01.001: Glossy black ceramic case, black rubber strap, black bezel, black dial.
- 215.63.46.22.01.001: Glossy black ceramic case with Sedna gold details, black leather strap with rubber lining, black bezel with Sedna gold details, black dial with Sedna gold details.
- 215.92.46.22.01.002: Matte black ceramic case, black rubber strap with blue stitching, black bezel with blue rubber 15-minute section, black dial with blue details.
- 215.92.46.22.01.003: Matte black ceramic case, black rubber strap with red stitching, black bezel with red rubber 15-minute section, black dial with red details.
- The following year, OMEGA launched the Planet Ocean GMT “Big Blue,” which was identical in size and design to the “Deep Black” watches but made from blue ceramic and accented with plenty of orange details.
- 215.92.46.22.03.001: Blue ceramic case, blue rubber strap with orange stitching, blue bezel with orange rubber 15-minute section, blue dial with orange details
Buying The OMEGA Planet Ocean GMT
In less than a decade, the OMEGA Seamaster Planet Ocean GMT collection has expanded to welcome quite a diverse range of watch models. This means that you can find a number of different Planet Ocean GMT references on the pre-owned market, and options include a surprisingly wide range of different materials and colors.
One of the key details to think about if you’re buying an OMEGA Seamaster Planet Ocean GMT is to first decide if you would prefer the versions that are primarily designed as GMT watches (but happen to have dive-ready features like a helium escape valve and incredibly deep water resistance) or the versions that are first and foremost dive watches (but happen to also have the practical GMT function). Both options will more-or-less do the same things, but the way that they go about it is slightly different.
Whichever model you decide on, what is clear is that the Planet Ocean GMT is a superb modern OMEGA watch that combines incredible quality, everyday practicality, and striking wrist presence. Additionally, whether you find yourself high above the clouds or deep below the surface of the ocean, the OMEGA Seamaster Planet Ocean GMT has all the features you need and is more than tough enough to stand up to the task.
