Seamaster Planet Ocean 42mm 8500 - long term review

I’ve been meaning to write a review for my PO for over a year, but so far I never got to it. However, whilst contemplating on the past year, I figured now’s as good a time as any to do it. So here goes...

I bought the PO 42mm 8500 in the fall of 2018. I had just gotten back into watches and bought a TAG Heuer Link to get started. When this didn’t work out for me, the Omega crossed my path (with a serious discount due to my local shop getting ready for a complete remodeling. It came on the rubber strap, but more on that later.



I won’t dwell on the movement - it works well and accurately so. I haven’t had any issues with it over the past two years. Let me skip on this and tackle the proverbial elephant in the room: this is a thick and heavy watch. Compared to my Tag, Rolex or even Panerai (Radiomir, admittedly) this is a very big block of steel. The thickness has only ever bothered me during winter when I’m layered up with sweaters and a coat. Depending on the cuff, some pressure may be felt on the wrist. The weight is a different matter altogether, and is directly linked to the straps you wear it on.

The rubber strap is lightweight and feels very nice. I didn’t have a good fit with any of the holes, and it took me about a year of courage to grab a small drill and add an extra hole. Since that moment, the rubber is quite comfortable. I also bought the bracelet, which came on a clasp without any adjustment possibilities. I added another clasp which could be adjusted, but in the meantime I could have bought a watch for the cost of the bracelet and the clasp. This is what it is, and it was the right choice, too. I wear the watch mostly on the bracelet nowadays, switching to rubber for summertime.



The bracelet makes this a very heavy watch for my taste. It really needs the adjustable clasps so I get the perfect fit, because the weight of the watch flopping around on the wrist is quite uncomfortable. Same on the rubber, which is why I had to drill the extra hole. The overall weight on rubber is fine, but the watch head still weighs enough to be uncomfortable. As you can see, this new clasp has seen a bit of desk diving and other action over the pas year



The watch itself is a beauty. I love how the AR makes the crystal disappear under most lighting conditions. The dial is gorgeous: matte textured, applied indices with tons of lume, and just a small hint of orange. All this surrounded by a matte bezel.



The combination of all these elements is just perfect to my eye, and makes me forget the weight and size completely. I still rotate my watches, but the PO has a tendency of claiming the bulk of my available wrist time. It is also my go to watch for all my traveling, thanks in large part to the jumping hour hand.



And hey, it even works on leather straps

Fine sandpaper will remove scratches from your clasp

Oh I don’t mind the scratches. The thing is supposed to be worn. I’ll see what condition it’s in when it’s time for a service, but probably will not bother getting the scratches polished or brushed out.

I usually use sandpaper on a soft base. Grain size 800-1000. Try it and you will be very surprised by the result

Knowing me, I’d best leave it to the professionals. And either how, I don’t mind scratches as much as many people I meet on forums. I’ll spare you the “it adds to the character” spiel; it’s more pragmatic than that.

Say I’d remove the scratches. It would take me about a week or two before they’re back. It’s a watch, it gets worn, it gets scratched. That’s part of the game

You shouldn't doubt yourself . You will turn out no worse than a professional. ( I'm talking about removing scratches from the bracelet and clasp) as for the case, I also would not polish it myself.

Love this watch, sold my 45.5mm off because it was to big but will definitely buy a 42mm again. Enjoy it, scratches and all!

Thanks for the review.
I love mine !

We are likeminded in this respect.

Except it usually takes about half a day before I scratch a perfectly clean clasp. And it certainly doesn’t “tell a story”, it’s either I used my laptop a little too recklessly or my pup mistook my wrist for a chewtoy.

My second watch was a Ti 8500 PO and it's still one of my favorite watches that gets a lot of wrist time to this day. I also love the jumping hour hand complication as I can effectively change my time zone when traveling without stopping the seconds hands.

Fun to see this one popping up again! I was wearing the PO this weekend and this made me realize that the scratch count is definitely up 😁

And indeed, that jumping hour hand is very useful, especially when we shifted daily savings time this weekend too.

Thanks. Nice review

Great write up. After much contemplation, I just picked up the 8500. I had been debating between the 2500 and the 8500 in 42mm, but ultimately opted for the 8500 because of 1. the movement revisions 2. the bracelet adjustments by screws vs pin and collar and 3. the applied numerals at 12, 9 and 6. It's definitely thick, even thicker than my Seiko Prospex divers which I thought were big. However, I just love the look of this one. While I like how understated the watch is, I'm tempted to see if the bezel insert can be swapped for the orange. Has anyone tried a bezel insert sway? I understand that the old one my be destroyed in the process

Thanks for the review, I love mine, BUT some days I really hate its thickness, it is TOO much...then I love it again.

I’d only let a watchmaker try that. I’m guessing it can all be done, but not sure if you can order the insert alone.

For sure. And the weight, especially the weight. But I love it too much, too.

The blueish luminescent color is beatiful.

I’ll add my fine beast here as well. Love it.
May be the heaviest of the bunch. Also a 42mm.

Beautiful Planet Ocean. I never considered the Planet Ocean because I find the current models too flashy (possibly the tone of the ceramic is too shiny) and too big. But the 2nd and 1st generations might be the best divings watches overall!