Rumours of a new PO due this month

Archer
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At the Omega official warranty service in Brazil, they told me they have to replace the HE valve on older Planet Oceans when servicing, so it makes the service more expensive due to the part being replaced.
Well, there are generally 2 versions of the HEV that Omega has used. One can be disassembled and the seals changed inside it, and the other "cannot" but it really can if you are very careful. The original HEV's were easily disassembled so the 2 seals inside could be replaced, and the primary HEV tube is not removed from the case unless it is for other reasons. Here's an example of the HEV being disassembled:

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You unscrew the cap from the inside...the main tube that screw into the case remains in place:

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Now the seal inside the cap and inside the tube can be replaced, and all the other parts put back:

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The old style use a regular right hand thread on the screw that holds the cap in place, so there is only one screw slot in the ehad of the screw. The newer versions use a left hand thread, and to identify that they put 3 slots in the screw head - this is a new HEV assembly and the slots are visible through the unopened package:

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Since Omega generally refinishes the case, they remove the complete HEV including the tube in the case rather than just disassemble it, to facilitate that refinishing. When they do that, they automatically replace the HEV with the latest style. There's no real "need" to replace it because of the valve itself, but they replace it because they remove it for refinishing - that's the most common reason.

If the watch is getting a paid service, this is included in the standard price - it should not be an extra charge at all. It is treated just like the crown, case tube, pushers, etc.
 
ErichPryde
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Vinz Clortho Vinz Clortho
After looking the video and pics some more, looks like they took a lot of inspiration from the SHOM case (Service Hydrographique et Océanographique de la Marine) with all the angles.

The difference between the two is the SHOM had contrast with the brushed/polished case. The new PO is all bling.

But the industry has moved more towards watches being men's jewelry from the tool watch esthetic, trying to thread that line for a while now.

The more I see the new releases, the more I look at the vintage space to see where in their catalogue they're pulling from.

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Thank you for the pictures, I couldn't recall the exact model but knew I'd seen this one.

Blackdog Blackdog
My guess is that the wider bezel is a necessity: If they have gone for a He-safe design (as the removal of the HEV would suggest), it may be necessary to use a different crystal fixing system involving different gaskets and some kind of retention ring. The bezel has to be wider to cover that. I guess this is the case for the Ultradeep too.

So, this sort of makes sense to me on the surface level, but makes me ask: what's different about the SM300 heritage? It genuinely does have a larger dial and smaller bezel (steel ring included) and no He valve.

To me, this (the PO) looks like they followed the bezel proportions on the UD a bit more closely. it lines up a bit more with Rolex's diver proportions, which have always seemed a bit off to me.

That said, the dial proportions themselves on this PO don't seem out of balance to me, so the bezel generally works. I'm not the biggest fan of big bezels but it seems like some people like them.
 
savio.79
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Meme-Dweller Meme-Dweller
I think the bezel is about the same size as the previous gens, except now they got rid of the fake ring that gives the illusion of a smaller bezel in favor of the Rolex Sea-Dweller style bezel markings.
Maybe this picture shows better what I was trying to say (badly, I'm not very good in English, sorry) about proportions between dial and thickness of the bezel (©Fratello)
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texasmade
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It does look better on Omega’s website than the original video posted. Still want to see it in person though.
 
00Duck
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I've been following this thread for the past several weeks and have admittedly been a bit underwhelmed. Like many have already mentioned, some of the DNA of what is the Planet Ocean seems to have been lost in these new pieces. I was hopeful that the Reddit renderings were inaccurate but was able to confirm that they weren't after touching base with my local boutique manager last week. The Planet Ocean has been on my radar for the past several years, though I had admittedly prioritized other acquisitions, and I was a bit disappointed to see the direction the line was going.

After seeing the explosion of live shots and reviews on Instagram a few moments ago, however, I'll be the first to admit that I may have misjudged this launch. While I still firmly believe that the Planet Ocean should feature a satin bracelet (as it had always been marketed as a rugged tool watch) and prefer the predecessors in many ways, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I actually like the look of the blue bezel variant. Although my next acquisition will likely be the 39.5mm Summer Blue Planet Ocean (before they're discontinued), I am actually curious to see this new blue bezel variant in the metal. I'm sure with time the majority of the collectors and fans out there will learn to appreciate these new pieces, though I'm confident most will still have a soft spot for Gen1-3.

Interestingly enough, it seems that Omega has used this launch to once again tease Bond fans about the now seemingly more likely casting of Mr. Aaron Taylor Johnson as 007 in the Amazon franchise.
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"Aaron Taylor-Johnson has a strong affinity with the Seamaster collection. As a man of action who demonstrates boundless versatility on screen, he is the ideal OMEGA ambassador to carry the Planet Ocean forward."

AN ICON REIMAGINED​

 
Speed2Sea
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It looks like Omega deleted the PO 215.30.44.21.01.002, etc. to make room for the new release.
 
ErichPryde
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00Duck 00Duck
some of the DNA of what is the Planet Ocean

I've got to be honest, what distinct DNA did it really ever have? It pulled inspiration from the 165/166 and the 2254 but to me, never felt distinct enough from the SMP line to be its own thing.


Don't get me wrong, I really like that first generation Planet ocean..
 
Mute
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Will have to see how it actually feels and wears on the wrist. Maybe the slightly smaller sizing will improve in that area. Aesthetically, still not a fan.
 
McBeardy
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Interestingly looking at Fratellos pics, ceramic bezel yet only lumed at the pip. Yet the vintage inspired Seamaters (no date variants) have a fully lumed aluminium bezel, which IMHO goes away from the vintage appeal
 
Vinz Clortho
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Saw some of the videos and looks better than the leaked photos. Not crazy about the polished center links, they are scratch magnets. Solid case back is a big upgrade. Bezel and crystal line up more with the UD and Ploprof now. Overall diameter of 42 mm and thickness at 14mm will appeal to more wrists. The rubber seems like a good option (doubt they will give you both)

Guess it's worth a look when they hit the OB.
 
Joao_BRA
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At the Omega official warranty service in Brazil, they told me they have to replace the HE valve on older Planet Oceans when servicing, so it makes the service more expensive due to the part being replaced.
My SMP300m is in service in Watchtime and HE valve was replaced. My model is 1995-97. They told me the same.
 
mossrockss
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First thought: joyless and ugly.
Second thought: have to hand it to Omega for not just playing the nostalgia card over and over, and actually trying something new with one of their flagship lines.

Someone said here, maybe, that perhaps this makes way for the Seamaster 300 heritage to become a 165.024 reissue/remake, allowing that to stand on its own design-wise without bleeding into the PO line, which it would have if they'd have released that.
 
Ogion
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Big improvement overall I think. Only what - half a millimetre thicker than Smp now with double the water resistance? Looks good in this video:


Slimmer profile might suit smaller wrists.
 
00Duck
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ErichPryde ErichPryde
I've got to be honest, what distinct DNA did it really ever have? It pulled inspiration from the 165/166 and the 2254 but to me, never felt distinct enough from the SMP line to be its own thing.


Don't get me wrong, I really like that first generation Planet ocean..
In fairness, I suppose that is mostly true.. After 20 years though, it feels like the model had developed somewhat of its own identity; albeit a mashup of other things. This new rendition seems to have picked up that same trait, taking design nods from the late 50s/early 60s and maybe even some from other Swiss brands.
 
ErichPryde
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McBeardy McBeardy
Interestingly looking at Fratellos pics, ceramic bezel yet only lumed at the pip. Yet the vintage inspired Seamaters (no date variants) have a fully lumed aluminium bezel, which IMHO goes away from the vintage appeal

If I had to guess this was done in the interest of less service, longer survival of the bezel.
Ogion Ogion
Big improvement overall I think. Only what - half a millimetre thicker than Smp now with double the water resistance? Looks good in this video:


Slimmer profile might suit smaller wrists.

Omega's listed thickness is actually 13.65 mm, so it is essentially right in line with the SMP considering that those run a range of thickness from 13.6 to 13.8 in the current generation
 
Annapolis
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The video includes glimpses of the blue bezel with black dial—hadn’t seen that before. Stunning.

Just my 2 cents, but it may now be the best watch in the entire Omega catalog. Exactly what I’ve been hankering for: no date diver in that colorway sans He valve, and not an homage “heritage” model. Don’t love the PCLs, but I might be seriously tempted to get one of these.
Edited:
 
Annapolis
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I mean, look at this thing. (Image courtesy of Hodinkee.) Phenomenal, IMO.

Way more attractive than the 126619 Submariner, and a quarter the going price. Will be curious to know if any existing Omega bracelet without PCLs will fit---otherwise would need to pay have them properly brushed. But once done, pretty hard to beat.

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