2008 Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Chronograph 45.5mm
Ref: 2218.50.00
Specification
Lugs : 22mm
Condition : Pre-Owned
Box & Papers : Box & Papers
Case Material : Stainless Steel
Warranty : 12-Months Warranty
Points of Mention
This watch is sold with its Omega presentation box and paperwork. The watch comes paired with its brushed 22mm Omega three-link Stainless steel bracelet secured by a signed push button release folding clasp; all links are provided. The watch is from March 2008 and is worn but overall in fair condition, with light scratches visible on the bezel and the AR coating on the crystal, as you can see from the photos. A full case and bracelet refurb can be provided on request at an additional cost. The watch comes with our 12-Months Warranty.
For more photos see here - https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ttILBc0CRpgw8am-DCvSkkf9L8xZGKQZ?usp=drive_link
4K YouTube video, skip to 16:15 - https://youtu.be/luqhviYymEQ
The Watch
Here we have a 2008 Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Chronograph with a 45.5mm polished and brushed 316L stainless steel case that sits comfortably on your wrist thanks to the characteristic twisted lugs, and a lug-to-lug length of 51.5mm and a case thickness of 17mm giving the watch an impressive wrist presence. Down the right side, we have the chronograph pushers with orange collars and a signed screw-down crown, which sits recessed in the centre. On the left side, at 10 o’clock, you find a manual Helium escape valve. The scalloped unidirectional stainless steel bezel has an orange 60-minute dive insert with black numerals and markings, and a slightly domed sapphire crystal AR coated sits above a dynamic black dial. An outer minute track is precisely executed, surrounding orange numerals at the cardinal points and applied baton indexes marking the hours, coated in Super-LumiNova; at 3 o’clock, we have a 30-minute register; at 6 o’clock, a 12-hour register and a colour-matched date window between the 4 and 5; finally, at 9 o’clock, the small seconds register, each slightly recessed with an orange ring, white numerals, broad arrow hands filled with Super-LumiNova are complemented by a red-tipped, at 12 o’clock we have an Omega motif “Seamaster Co-Axial Chronometer” complete this dive themed chronograph. On the reverse, a screw-down case back with the details of the watch engraved around the edge and an embossed polished Hippocampus in the centre, a seahorse that represents Neptune, the God of the sea; Pierre Borie conceived it after seeing a picture of Neptune riding a chariot pulled by seahorses; it is the reason why the seahorses are wearing a harness, first seen on the Seamaster in 1958. In the centre, inside an automatic Omega Cal. 3313, 36 jewels, beating at 28,800 beats per hour, this column-wheel chronograph has the iconic Co-Axial Escapement. The watch comes paired with its brushed 22mm Omega three-link Stainless steel bracelet secured by a signed push button released folding clasp; all links are provided, and it comes with its Omega presentation box and paperwork.
Personal Note
This Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Chronograph, reference 2218.50.00, in 45.5mm is no small watch and definitely demands its presence on the wrist, so if you are a small watch collector, this probably isn't the one for you... But if you do enjoy a big watch, this is one to seriously consider with its matte black dial and vibrant contrasting orange bezel and highlights throughout, it is without a doubt a fantastic-looking watch. This example also comes with its box and paperwork from March 2008 and remains unpolished, a nice example to have so snap it up whilst you can!
The Brand
Formerly known as the La Generale Watch Co. it was founded by Louis Brandt in La Chaux-de-Fonds in 1848. When he passed away in 1879, his sons quickly stepped in to carry on their father’s vision. In 1880, they moved to 96 Rue Jakob-Stampfli, where they remain today. In 1885, the brothers released their first mass-produced calibre, the Labrador. Later, in 1892, they developed the first minute-repeating timepiece. In 1903, they renamed the company Omega until 1982, when they officially changed their name to Omega SA. During WW1, Omega watches were used as official timekeepers for the Royal Flying Corps and the US Army. In 1930, Omega and Tissot merged together to form Société Suisse pour l'Industrie Horlogère (SSIH). In 1931, another group was formed - Allgemeine Schweizerische Uhrenindustrie AG (ASUAG). Where SSIH was primarily French-speaking, ASUAG was founded by the more German-speaking members of the Swiss watch industry. In 1948, they introduced the first edition of one of its most symbolic watches: the Seamaster. Omega first introduced the Constellation in 1952. At the time, it was Omega's flagship timepiece. The first models had a Cal. 354 bumper movement in them. Later, in 1955, Omega introduced the Automatic Cal. 50x, followed in 1959 by the Cal.55x (no date) and 56x (date) versions. Many of the Constellations came with pie-pan dials, diamond indexes, and fancy lug configurations. All the gold Constellations of that time have the Observatory of Geneva's hand engraved on the back. The stainless steel and stainless steel/gold versions had a gold medallion on the back with the Observatory of Geneva. The eight stars above the Observatory stand for the many exploits of Omega in the world Chronometer competition. Celebrating the fact that all Constellations are Chronometer Certified. In 1962, Omega made history when astronaut Wally Schirra wore a Speedmaster on his Mercury Sigma 7 Mission, making it the first Omega watch to enter space. After stringent tests, NASA used Omega for all their Apollo missions, including the 1969 Moon landing of Apollo 11. Today, Omega is still an astronaut's first choice of timepiece. In 1969, President Nixon famously turned down the opportunity to be gifted the first-ever all-gold Speedmaster Professional Deluxe because he deemed it to be “too valuable.” As a response to the ever-growing threat of electronic watches to the manufacturers of mechanical watches, Omega, in collaboration with Swiss brands such as Rolex and Patek Philippe, formed Centre Electronique Horloger (CEH). Prototypes began in 1967, and production started in 1968. Then In 1972, Omega introduced the reference 198.030, which included the Omega calibre 1250, a ‘tuning-fork electronic movement which was made under licence from Bulova. Later we saw a merger of SSIH and ASUAG into SMH, or Société de Microélectronique et d’Horlogerie. This merger took place in 1983. In 1992, the company acquired Blancpain, and in 1998, it officially rebranded itself from SMH to the Swatch Group. Then, in 1999, they purchased and integrated Breguet into the group.