OMEGA | The Seamaster's New Release Embodies the Brand's Tradition and Future!
WATCH & JEWELRY / SIHH&BASEL
March 30, 2015

OMEGA | The Seamaster's New Release Embodies the Brand's Tradition and Future!


OMEGA


Advanced Mechanical Watchmaking and Pioneering New Materials


OMEGA Unveils New Seamaster Models Embodying Brand Heritage and Future


Omega has continuously refined and advanced its mechanical watchmaking, particularly in the escapement, the heart of a mechanical watch. The brand pioneered the revolutionary Co-Axial escapement, renowned for its superior precision and durability, and the use of silicon for hairsprings. These proprietary technologies have now reached an unparalleled level of perfection. Introducing the "Seamaster Aqua TerraChronograph" equipped with the latest iteration of this escapement. Furthermore, models featuring the Co-Axial escapement and silicon hairsprings now come with an exceptional four-year warranty, a rarity in the industry.


Reporting and text by Yasuto Shibuya




New Three-Layer Co-Axial Escapement Adopted



Omega has always been, and remains, a preeminent Swiss watch brand. While its reputation was established early after its founding in 1848, it achieved legendary status through a series of masterpieces developed from the 1930s to the 1960s, including the waterproof "Seamaster" and the precision-focused "Constellation." Particularly from the 1940s to the mid-1960s, Omega consistently won or placed highly in chronometer competitions hosted by Swiss observatories. Its products became objects of admiration and envy worldwide, including in Japan, solidifying its reputation as "the most reliable watch brand, excelling in timekeeping accuracy and reliability" – qualities paramount for a wristwatch.

Now, Omega is once again forging a new path to glory, building upon its past achievements with new technologies and materials that significantly lead the industry. These include the "Co-Axial Escapement," a next-generation escapement offering superior precision and reliability that replaces the traditional lever escapement, and silicon hairsprings, known for their magnetic resistance and shock resistance. The embodiment of this new era is this year's highlight, the "Seamaster Planet Ocean Chronograph."




The Co-Axial escapement in the new chronograph movement, "Caliber 9300," powering this model features a three-layer structure, offering enhanced precision, durability, and energy transmission efficiency compared to previous two-layer designs. The column wheel for the chronograph mechanism, which employs a vertical clutch, has also been upgraded from a two-layer to a three-layer structure, ensuring smooth power transmission without hand jump, reliable operation, and high dependability. The hairspring is made of silicon. The unidirectional rotating bezel, essential for a dive watch, is crafted from "Liquidmetal" – an amorphous alloy based on ceramic and zirconium, known for its exceptional hardness and durability – but this is exclusive to the blue dial and blue bezel model shown. This watch truly embodies Omega's DNA, a brand that has consistently led the watchmaking world through its technical prowess.


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A Four-Year Warranty: A Testament to Reduced Movement Issues



The three-hand "Seamaster Aqua Terra" models also feature the new Caliber 8500 movement, now incorporating a silicon hairspring. Additionally, new automatic models of the "Speedmaster," equipped with the same Caliber 9300 as the "Seamaster Planet Ocean Chronograph," have been introduced. For watch enthusiasts, the limited edition "Speedmaster Professional Apollo 15 40th Anniversary" and, as in previous years, reissues of historical masterpieces have also been unveiled. The "De Ville Co-Axial" line welcomes its first annual calendar model.

However, beyond these captivating new releases, there is even more significant news: the introduction of an extended four-year warranty for models equipped with the Co-Axial escapement and silicon hairsprings. Indeed, President Stephen Urquhart stated that related movement issues have drastically decreased since the adoption of the Co-Axial escapement.

Omega has firmly re-established its position as a leading mechanical watch brand, not only in its men's collections but also by actively equipping its high-end ladies' models, starting with last year's "De Ville Ladymatic," with mechanical movements featuring the Co-Axial escapement, rather than quartz movements.


OMEGA 01




Seamaster Planet Ocean Chronograph
A New Diver's Chronograph Born from Six Years of Development


This new model is powered by the new automatic movement "Caliber 9300," developed over a lengthy six-year period. It features a three-layer Co-Axial escapement, a silicon hairspring, and a chronograph mechanism with a three-layer column wheel and vertical clutch. It also includes a "time zone function" that allows for time adjustment by moving only the hour hand when traveling to different time zones, and a "chronograph security mechanism" that prevents damage even if the reset button is pressed during chronograph operation. The dial utilizes two types of Super-LumiNova for enhanced visibility in low light. The "two-dial" layout, created by integrating the 60-minute and 12-hour counters, offers a fresh aesthetic. Notably, the ceramic and Liquidmetal bezel is exclusive to this blue dial model. Other variations include a black dial with an orange bezel and a black bezel with a black dial. The 600-meter water resistance is complemented by a new see-through case back.

Automatic, 45.5mm titanium case and bracelet, exhibition case back, screw-down crown, 600m water resistance, 4-year warranty, ¥924,000 (estimated price), scheduled for October release.







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Speedmaster Professional Apollo 15 40th Anniversary Limited Edition
A Limited Edition Commemorating the First Mission to Use a Lunar Rover in 1971


One of Omega's proudest historical achievements is the role of the "Speedmaster Professional" in the Apollo program. It served as the official watch for astronauts on these missions, traveling to the moon with them and reliably supporting their endeavors without a single malfunction. To commemorate this feat, a limited edition Speedmaster Professional is released annually. This year's model is the "Speedmaster Professional Apollo 15 40th Anniversary Limited Edition." The colors red, white, and blue, used in the mission's emblem, are incorporated into the dial, and the case back is engraved with the Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV), used for the first time on this mission. A special presentation box is also included.

Manual-winding, 42mm stainless steel case and bracelet, 50m water resistance, limited to 1,971 pieces worldwide, ¥546,000. Scheduled for release this summer.


Omega Customer Center
Tel. 03-5952-4400
www.omegawatches.com

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