Victor Vescovo, an adventurer, headed The Five Deeps Expedition to the lowest location on Earth in 2019, breaking an astonishing world record of 10,925 m ± 4 m. Omega was a part of the historic expedition to the Challenger Deep, and now the brand is back as part of Victor’s latest daring expedition.
The Limiting Factor submarine shocked the world once more in 2020. The expedition has conducted up to eight research and survey trips to all three of the Challenger Deep’s “pools.” Dr. Kathryn D. Sullivan, a former NASA astronaut who was the first American woman to travel in space in 1984, was on board for that inaugural mission. She has become the first woman to descend to the bottom of the ocean because of that expedition, and the Seamaster Planet Ocean was her pick of a timepiece.
Omega and Sullivan
Omega applauds Dr. Kathy on being the world’s “most vertical girl,” the only woman to ever travel in space and explore the ocean’s bottom.
An awesome accomplishment that demonstrates that the boundaries of exploration have no limitations. Along with Sullivan’s success are the following Omega watches of various functions that witnessed all of her hard work to reach those milestones.
Seamaster Planet Ocean 600m
Omega’s Planet Ocean range debuted in 2005, with the company’s maritime heritage at its heart. The Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M Master Chronometer harkens back to Omega’s dive timepiece legacy presently.
This 215.23.40.20.04.001 version has a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal and a date window at 3 o’clock and a white ceramic dial with Arabic numerals. The 39.5 mm 18K Sedna™ gold and stainless steel case houses a white ceramic unidirectional bezel with an Omega Ceragold™ diving scale. A white leather strap with rubber lining and an alveol screw-in caseback is also included.
The Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M Master Chronometer is equipped with a helium escape valve and is water-resistant to 600 meters. The translucent caseback reveals the Omega Master Chronometer caliber 8800 at the core of this watch.
To acquire Master Chronometer rank, it has to complete METAS’ (The Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology) eight stringent tests. This watch is actually on the wrist of Dr. Kathy when she ascended from the bottom part of the ocean.
Speedmaster X-33 Skywalker
Omega’s adventurous attitude has led us on journeys further than the earth’s atmosphere and beneath the ocean’s surface. With the release of the Speedmaster Skywalker X-33, that same sense of adventure continues.
This 45 mm titanium wristwatch ref 318.90.45.79.01.001 has a black dial with an LCD display, a black ceramic bezel ring, and a grade 2 and 5 titanium strap. This is the timepiece worn by Dr. Kathy on her first exploration in space in 1984, which she also used during her journey 10,000 meters below the water.
The European Space Agency (ESA) designed, tested, and certified the Omega 5619, a highly precise thermocompensated multifunctional quartz movement with specific functionalities. It powers the Omega Speedmaster Skywalker X33, which has three separate time zones, a perpetual calendar, a timer, a chronograph, three alarms, PET (Phase Elapsed Time), and MET (Mission Elapsed Time).
Omega Dive Watches
Omega’s dive watches, like the submersible, were meant to last: it was intended for several dives rather than a single attempt at the world record. Omega has been producing diver’s timepieces since the 1930s, but creating a watch sturdy enough to withstand the requirements of The Five Deeps Expedition would necessitate a novel strategy and a collaborative effort.
Seamaster Diver 300M
The Seamaster Professional Diver 300M has had a renowned reputation since 1993. Today’s contemporary range has acknowledged that illustrious nautical legacy while incorporating Omega’s greatest technology and craftsmanship.
This 42 mm stainless steel 210.30.42.20.03.001 model features a white enamel diving scale and a blue ceramic bezel. The dial has laser-engraved waves and a date window at 6 o’clock and is also polished blue ceramic. The helium escape valve is conical, while the raised indexes and skeleton hands are filled with white Super-LumiNova and are rhodium-plated.
Seamaster Ploprof 1200m
The legendary Ploprof wristwatch has a longstanding experience as Omega’s most water-resistant divers’ watch, even at 4000 feet beneath the sea. While the initial strong and bold design has been retained, this revised update has been enhanced with Omega’s Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 8912, which features groundbreaking technology famous for its anti-magnetic durability, chronometric efficiency, and accuracy.
The one-of-a-kind casing features a polished black ceramic bezel ring with Super-LumiNova numerals, scale, and triangle for greater visibility. The lacquered black dial is accented by orange metal and varnished white hands, while the case and clasp are made of grade 5 titanium for lightweight comfort. This watch’s traditional dark look is suited for the bottom of the sea, and the polished grade 2 titanium “sharkproof” mesh band contributes to the spirit of discovery and expedition.
In A Nutshell
Omega is constantly eager to take on new challenges. It took inspiration, innovation, and several deep dive calculations to find the perfect balance of design, engineering, and components, but Omega designed an original wristwatch that is genuinely outstanding notwithstanding the many hurdles.
