Omega’s Master Chronometer revolution continues

The 2016 Baselworld watch and jewellery show in Switzerland saw Swiss luxury watchmaker Omega present as many as 105 new watches and six new Master Chronometer movements.

Following last year’s launch of the Globemaster, the world’s first Master Chronometer, the new movements are in line with Omega’s goal to certify the majority of its mechanical watches as Master Chronometers by 2020.

Master Chronometer certification by the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology (METAS) requires the watch to pass eight intensive tests and represents a higher standard of excellence within the Swiss watchmaking industry. 

The movements and models that carry Master Chronometer rating include Omega’s entire collection of new Seamaster Planet Ocean watches, the new Constellation Small Seconds model for ladies, and the Speedmaster Moonphase timepiece with its stunning blue dial. Omega also presented a new version of the Globemaster – this time as an Annual Calendar with a grey dial.


MOVEMENTS

Undoubtedly, the highlight at Baselworld was the rollout of the six new Master Chronometer movements. 

Firstly, there was a new Annual Calendar movement (8922/8923) for the Globemaster. There were also the first Master Chronometer Chronograph movements: one was a new Planet Ocean Chronograph (9900/9901), and the other was the Speedmaster Moonphase (9904/9905). For ladies, Omega introduced a new Master Chronometer movement for the Planet Ocean 600M (8800/8801), and another Master Chronometer movement (8704/8705) with a small seconds feature for the ladies’ Constellation. The sixth Master Chronometer movement was a GMT addition (8906), used for the new Planet Ocean 600M model with its black and white ceramic bezel. 


ANNUAL CALENDAR

The inspiration for the Globemaster Annual Calendar movement comes from the 12 facets of the watch’s ‘pie pan’ dial. A central varnished blue hand indicates the current month through an instantaneous jump.

As part of the evolution, the case diameter has been increased from 39 mm to 41 mm. The polished hour and minute hands are blued and faceted, and coated with Super-Luminova, along with the blued indexes. In changing light, the overall effect of the dial is captivating.

The other touches of blue include the central seconds hand, Omega logo, Constellation star and writing on the dial. A blue leather strap with a stainless steel foldover clasp completes the colour theme.

The case has been crafted from stainless steel and the polished fluted bezel has been made with scratchproof tungsten carbide. The timepiece is fitted with the new Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 8922.


CONSTELLATION SMALL SECONDS

Continuing its reinterpretation of the iconic Constellation, Omega has added a small seconds feature to the watch as well as Master Chronometer status, a major achievement for such a refined and compact movement.

In design, Omega has retained many of the popular attributes of recent Constellation models. The combination of stainless steel and 18-karat red gold delivers a warm aesthetic style, while the white pearled mother-of-pearl dial adds to the simple and elegant effect. Other additions include the diamond-paved bezel and sapphire crystal caseback that enables viewing of the new Master Chronometer calibre 8704.

Finally, the charm of the new watch lies in the small seconds feature at 9 o’clock. With four diamond markers, the subtle inclusion offers a unique extension to the collection. To offer balance in this new style, Omega has also moved the date window to 6 o’clock.


PLANET OCEAN ‘CHOCOLATE’

With its luscious brown colour, the new Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M Master Chronometer ‘Chocolate’ is at the forefront of craftsmanship and style. Updated as a Master Chronometer, it is among the first ladies’ timepieces to attain the rating.

Wearers can admire the new calibre 8801 through the sapphire crystal caseback, complete with an oscillating weight crafted from 18-karat Sedna gold.

This is the first time that 18-karat Sedna gold has been used for the Planet Ocean collection. The material has also been used for the case, hands and indexes, as well as the foldover clasp on the strap.

To complement the soft reddish tone of the metal, Omega has created both the dial and bezel from chocolate brown ceramic. The colour is both rich and appealing, bringing yet another dimension to the Planet Ocean collection. On the bezel itself, Omega Ceragold technology has been used to create the numbers and new minute markers of the diving scale.

At 39.5 mm, this model is wider than some previous models, but has allowed for a slightly thinner case. Another aesthetic update can be found on the caseback, where a new undulating pattern offers a subtle yet captivating change.

The watch is presented on a brown leather strap with a rubber underside for a sporty and comfortable combination.

Other new Master Chronometer watches include the Seamaster Planet Ocean 45.5 mm Chronograph with the 9900 movement, the Seamaster Planet Ocean 43.5 mm Auto (8900), the Seamaster Planet Ocean 43.50 mm GMT (8906), and the Speedmaster Moonphase, whose new 9904 movement is made up of 368 components and is said to mark the start of a whole new era in watchmaking. 

In total, 46 models with Master Chronometer rating were showcased.

Omega also unveiled its Ladymatic collection of fine jewellery, which reinterprets the iconic watchcase to create an exquisite collection of fine jewellery with strong links to the famous Omega timepiece.

The wave-patterned collection includes a gold ring with diamonds, a gold pendant with diamonds which beautifully mirrors the ring, and a gold bracelet with diamonds.   

The pieces are available in red, white and yellow gold.