The Breitling Watch Blog

Don’t really want to get into an extensive review of this Omega Seamaster GMT, as there are plenty out there. Just wanted to make a few notes regarding the watch, as I have reviewed the other Seamasters in the past, both in videos and in writing.

The Omega Seamaster GMT is a very nice watch, which uses the same 41.5mm case design as all the other Seamaster 300m Divers. The GMT hand is unique compared with most other GMT watches in that when you adjust the hour the main hour hand moves, not the GMT hand. This makes the watch much easier to adjust for Local Time than other GMT watches. You simply keep your GMT hand on Home Time permanently, and adjust the main hour hand in the 1-hour increments to adjust for local time.

The watch has a day/night two-tone bezel which many peopel don’t like, including myself. It can be relatively easily changed to a standard black or silver bezel if you wish however.

Basic Specs:
Diameter: 41.5mm
Movement: Omega 1128 (Base ETA2892)
Water Resistance: 300m
Crystal: Sapphire

Omega Launches a brand new innovation, a Liquidmetal® and Ceramic dive bezel on their new limited edition 42mm Planet Ocean Liquid Metal. The Seamaster PO 42mm Liquid Metal is a Limited Edition of 1948 peices, and features the same movement as previous PO models with the Caliber 2500 Co-Axial movement. The watch adds applied arabic numerals as well to the design, but is primarily the same as previous models.

Liquidmetal®: seamless bonding, remarkable hardness
The Liquidmetal® alloy is an amorphous metal – a metallic material with a disordered, non-crystalline atomic structure. Its fusion temperature is half that of conventional titanium alloys but when it is cooled, its hardness is three times as great as that of stainless steel. Its amorphous structure allows it to bond seamlessly with the ceramic bezel.

The Liquidmetal® is a bulk metallic glass alloy consisting of five elements: zirconium, titanium, copper, nickel and beryllium. A bulk metallic glass can, by virtue of its low critical cooling rate, be formed into a structure with a thickness of more than a tenth of a millimetre. Zirconium is an important constituent part both of the Liquidmetal® alloy and of the ceramic material which is made of zirconium dioxide (Zr02).

The final, perfectly smooth bezel is particularly resistant to scratching and corrosion because of the hardness of the two components.

The union of ceramics and Liquidmetal® at OMEGA
First, ceramic rings are formed. The numbers and the fine lines of the minute scaling are then engraved into these ceramic bezel rings and polished. The alloy is heated and pressed into the cavities in the ceramic material after which any excess Liquidmetal® is removed. The Liquidmetal® can be manipulated at a lower temperature than metals normally used in watchmaking so the heating process does not damage the ceramic material.

The Liquidmetal® numbers and scales are then satin brushed. Because the ceramic is a harder material than the alloy, the satin brushing of the fine details can be done without affecting the ceramic bezel. The numbers and scaling then appear in bold, vivid contrast to the glossy ceramic background.

Redefining longevity in the watch industry
The OMEGA Seamaster Planet Ocean Liquidmetal® Limited Edition, which has a stainless steel case and bracelet, is driven by OMEGA’s revolutionary Co-Axial calibre 2500. These movements, which have been heralded for their long-term chronometric performance, are perfectly complemented by the ceramic and Liquidmetal® alloy components which are incredibly resistant to corrosion and scratching. The result is pure OMEGA: a design premiere which will retain its appearance indefinitely, blended with innovative Co-Axial technology.

The Seamaster Aqua Terra Co-Axial GMT Chronograph is quite the looker, and shares the more aggressive and bold styling that all the new Aqua Terra line of watches have. Raised and intricately shaped indexes, “teak concept” dial, and exclusive Co-Axial Calibre 3603.

Case is 44mm
Water Resistant: 150m
Domed Sapphire Crystal
Caseback: Exhibition

If you aren’t aware, the Olympics started today, and the opening ceremony was absolutely amazing… easily the most impressive Olympics opening ceremony I have ever seen. Beijing has set the new standard by which all other Olympics opening ceremonies will be judged. The official timekeeper, as has been for quite a while now, is Omega.

Omega erected a pavillion to showcase their watches at the Beijing Olympics and it looks pretty cool. I wonder if Omega will put up a similar structure in Vancouver for the 2010 Olympics? If so, I will be there!

Finally posted my video review of the Omega Seamaster 300m. This is the non-Bond version, black dial and black bezel. I accidently called it a unidirectional Crown in the video.. DUH.. i suppose the crown is unidirectional when its unscrewing too but yeah, i meant bezel. Anyway, hope you enjoy the video. This is one of my favourite seamasters, not counting the Planet Oceans.

I’ve launched my new Omega and Rolex watch information site. It’s pretty sparse right now, but I think its time to announce the site on here. It will focus mainly on more recent models of the watches, but will have some vintage stuff, similar to the Breitling Source site. At the moment, I don’t plan to have forums attached to the website, however this may change in the future. In the works is also a Panerai information site that will attempt to provide Panerai watch models and information in a easy-to-use format as well.

The Omega Rolex site may have some errors but hopefully they will be fixed. Check out the site here: http://www.omegarolex.com

Faced with the decision of whether to purchase the Omega Seamaster Chrono Diver or the standard Omega Seamaster Chronometer, I ended up with both of these models. They are both wonderful watches, with an understated look compared to that of the Breitlings that I am used to wearing. Most of my friends that see the Omegas think they look bland and not worth their money. I say they are classic icons that stands the test of time.

I’ve taken several pictures of them together for comparitve reasons. The Seamaster Chrono I have is the Bond version, while the standard model is the Black dial/bezel with sword hands.

I like the more dramatic contrast of the black dialed Seamasters, but the Bond seamasters seem to be more popular. The bracelet on the Bond model is also a bit more busy, and the watch overall has a busier look, partly due to the subdials.

As you can see from the above pic, the Seamaster Chrono (right) is MUCH thicker than the regular one. The bezel is thicker, the back is thicker, and the case is thicker. The feeling on the wrist is quite different between the two.

The Seamaster Chrono, which is the one in the front, has a newer style back with the Omega monster logo in super-size. The standard model has the older style back, and I’m not sure if it is because it is an older model or because they just have not changed the back on those yet. I haven’t seen any of the new style backs on the standard Seamaster 300m yet.

Now, a couple of wrist shots so you guys can see the two on my small 6.75″ wrists. First the Seamaster Chronograph:

Now, the Seamaster Chronometer:

So, as you can see they are acutally quite different watches, more than simply the same watch but one with the chronograph. Both are certified COSC Chronometers, and use modified ETA movements.

Omega Speedmaster Schumacher Legend series watch, my first Omega Automatic Chronograph, and I’m quite impressed with it. Nice Column wheel chronograph movement based on the 33xx series of watch movements. Enjoy!