Omega Ocean deep watches

08 july 2005

Article By: Anne Jambora

Published by: INQ7.net on the 7th July 2005

Editor's Note: Published on Page C1 of the July 8, 2005 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

IT'S like the ocean on the wrist. Or, as its VP says, it gives the "emotion of going under the water."

The latest offering from Swiss watchmaker Omega completes at last its series of modern takes to its three 1957 classic watches: the Speedmaster, the Railmaster and, now, the Seamaster.

"We took the watch that was very successful 50 years ago and adapted into it the design philosophy of the third millennium. From far away it looks the same, but we have improved the technology and changed some details of the design," says Jean-Claude Monachon, VP for product development of Omega Ltd.

While the first Seamaster went as deep as 300 meters, Planet Ocean, its modern edition, goes twice as deep at 600 m. A timeless feature, for instance, is the distinct unidirectional rotating bezel, grooved with the classic Arabic numerals, that comes in two colors: formal, standard black or sporty orange. It's not a coincidence, though, that black and orange are two of the colors most visible underwater.

Monachon says Omega's choice for trendier colors is part of the company's marketing position, which is: While it puts together something useful, such as a diver's watch, it is still attuned to what's fashionable. The color orange, he says, is just as stylish as it is functional.

Both function and design are given equal importance during conceptualization, he says. One cannot do without the other since a great design might not hold in together the watch's mechanism, or vice versa.

Take Planet Ocean's ladies' watch, which Monachon says is fortunate enough to have been produced at a time when big faces are in vogue. For mechanical watches, such as those manufactured by Omega, the large dials allow bigger movement that in turn provides greater strength in giving accurate time.

But, really now, who needs a watch that can still perfectly function at 600 m underwater? More importantly, how many, if ever, actually dive at such depth?

Monachon admits most of Omega's clientele are not even into the underwater sport. "Doing a watch that goes 600 m underwater is useless-we can even go up to 1,000 m," Monachon says.

So it's not the fact that it can go underwater that is important, he says, but finding a watch for everyday life that calls to mind images of the ocean. Like it or not, most people wear Omega watches for the status the brand represents. Image, says Monachon, can mean everything for a premium brand.

Set to revolutionize the Omega mechanism is an innovative feature of Planet Ocean called the Co-Axial Escapement. This invention replaces the old mechanism-the heart of every watch-of circular "teeth," those two metallic elements that constantly touch each other, with a device that has a sliding effect instead.

The old mechanism, says Monachon, accumulates minute dust particles due to the friction. More dust means more lubrication to keep the mechanism going. But the oil helps collect too much dust over the years as well that the watch's accuracy drops, or shuts down completely, and would need servicing after three or four years.

With the Co-Axial Escapement, no friction is involved, resulting to much less dust accumulation and the need for lubricants. That means, he says, better mileage for the watch-as in time accuracy even after eight, nine or 10 years.

"We are the only brand in the world with this technology. This is our service to our consumers," Monachon says.

Expectations for Planet Ocean are huge. In Europe alone, a single delivery of 30,000 units was sold out in a matter of weeks.

Planet Ocean also comes with the helium Escape Valve. This valve allows elements of helium gas, which seeps inside the watch during compression, to escape during decompression with a simple turn of the screw. This exclusive feature prevents any damage, permanent or otherwise, to the watch.

There are 12 models for this line in 45.5 and 42 mm sizes. Bezels and dials are either black or orange, in four different straps of orange and brown alligator, steel and rubber.

While the old adage says never fix anything that isn't broken, especially one that was perfected some 250 years ago, Omega, says Monachon, thinks otherwise-sometimes, that is. That risk has paid off richly in the end.

July 07, 2005

Article By: Anne Jambora

Published by: INQ7.net on the 7th July 2005

Editor's Note: Published on Page C1 of the July 8, 2005 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer