The Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 6000M Ultra Deep diver in Summer Blue is the eighth and latest iteration in the Ultra Deep Collection. I would also argue that the Summer Blue edition—issued as part of Omega’s 75th Anniversary of the Seamaster—is the best of the bunch. Sure, it doesn’t have those very cool manta ray lugs we find in the titanium reference, but that lacquered dial and the topographic recreation of the Mariana Trench is tough to beat. And that tasty little Easter egg…
Alas, I’m ahead of myself. Let’s hit rewind for a moment.
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A brief history of Omega’s association with the Five Deeps Expedition
At the end of the last decade, Omega partnered with The Five Deeps Team of explorers and scientists, led by American explorer and retired naval officer, Victor Vescovo. Their primary goal was to explore and document the deepest points in each of the world’s five oceans—providing valuable insights into the ocean’s geology, biology, and ecology.
In December 2018, Victor Vescovo and his team completed a dive in the Puerto Rico Trench, the deepest point in the Atlantic Ocean, reaching a depth of approximately 8,376 meters (27,480 feet). They then made a successful dive to the bottom of the South Sandwich Trench (Southern Ocean) in February 2019 at 7,434 meters (24,390 feet), and the Java Trench in April 2019. The Java Trench is the deepest point in the Indian Ocean, with a depth of about 7,192 meters (23,596 feet). This was followed by an exploration of the Molloy Deep (Arctic Ocean) in August 2019.
However, just prior to the Molloy mission, the Five Deeps Team made history when it mapped and then successfully reached the deepest point of the Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench (Pacific Ocean). It was aboard one such 12-hour mission that Vescovo set the record for the deepest manned submersible dive at 10 935m. Strapped to the outside of his DSV was Omega’s Ultra Deep concept watch.
That watch was pressure tested to a depth of 15 000m at Triton Sub’s facility in Barcelona prior to the expedition. To achieve these depths, it was constructed from innovative materials, including a lightweight forged grade 5 titanium case and a unique case back plate made from the same material as the Limiting Factor DSV used in the Five Deeps Expedition.
After these expeditions, the Ultra Deep watch was repurposed and made available to the public in an ISO 6425-certified 6000m diver, like the Summer Blue edition featured here.
Specifics of the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 6000m Ultra Deep Summer Blue
Like other watches in the collection, the Summer Blue Ultra Deep is forged in O-MEGASTEEL and comes on an O-MEGASTEEL bracelet. The material is a proprietary stainless steel alloy. It has higher levels of nitrogen and manganese but contains no nickel. As such, it appears whiter than regular steel. O-MEGASTEEL also boasts a greater hardness. It is non-ferromagnetic and resistant to corrosion. At 45.5mm in diameter and 51.9mm lug to lug, the Ultra Deep is large, but not excessively so. Where its true bulk comes into play is in the 18.2mm thickness. On the bracelet, it weighs 254g. Yes, that’s more than half a pound if you’re counting.
But would I wear it? Absolutely. I’d lean into it.
If you are hell bent on comparing the Ultra Deep to another popular dive watch of your choice, be aware that we are discussing an extreme diver here. Let’s compare apples with apples.
The biggest surprise is not how large the watch is, but how astonishingly well it wears, given its size. I’m not saying it’s my new GADA piece—though, technically it could go just about anywhere—but what I am saying is that for a concept watch meant only to demonstrate the technical ingenuity of the brand, the Ultra Deep is shockingly good. I say this as a person of very average wrist size (6.75”).
In fact, for a utilitarian tool, a lot of effort has gone into the finish, as well. The Ultra Deep is part of the Planet Ocean Collection, and its DNA is clear. It looks very much like its 600m brethren on steroids. The case shape and its polished, beveled lugs are cut from similar cloth. Were it not for the partial crown protectors of the Ultra Deep, or the helium escape valve of the Planet Ocean, one could easily be mistaken for the other.
The Ultra Deep’s robust bezel is capped with a ceramic insert and, like all dial elements, its 12 o’clock pip is generously lumed with Swiss Super-LumiNova. The thick, domed sapphire crystal sits just proud of this insert and is slightly bevelled. But under this crystal is the pièce de resistance. New to the Summer Blue is a specially textured pattern representing a scale recreation of the Challenger Deep section of the Mariana Trench, as mapped by the Five Deeps Team. The lacquered finish, with its subtle gradient use of dark blues has an almost organic sense of depth with its shimmering trenches and ravines.
If you want to know whether or not the designers at Omega have a sense of humour, shine a bit of UV light on the dial. You’ll reveal the hidden message, “Omega was here!” indicating the world record dive site and illustrating the location of the Western, Central, and Eastern Pools of the Challenger Deep.
The screw down case back of the Summer Blue is also something to behold. Unlike other Ultra Deep models which bear the Omega Seahorse against a series of sonar rings, the Summer Blue boasts a commemorative, laser-engraving of Poseidon riding on the back of two seahorses. It’s a design dating back to the 1956 original.
Hidden by the solid case back is the Calibre 8912, a self-winding movement with a Co-Axial escapement. It is certified as a Master Chronometer by METAS and anti-magnetic to fields as high as 15 000 gauss. It has a jumping-hour function, as well, and is finished in an arabesque of Geneva waves.
SPECS
| Case | O-MEGASTEEL 45.5mm Diameter 18.2mm Thick 51.9mm Lug to Lug 22mm Lug Width Screw Down Case Back & Crown 120-Click Bidirectional Compass Bezel 6000m Water Resistance |
| Dial & Crystal | Sapphire Crystal /w AR Applied Indices & Numerals Lacquered Dial Arrow Handset Super-LumiNova |
| Movement | Calibre 8912 Master Chronometer Certified 38 Jewels 25 200bph 60-Hour Power Reserve |
| Strap | O-MEGASTEEL |
Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 6000M Ultra Deep
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Why do you need a 6000m dive watch?
You don’t. When discussing luxury watches of any stripe, the word ‘need’ should not be used without a heavy dose of sarcasm. You buy a 6000m dive watch because you can and because you want one. The Planet Ocean 6000M Ultra Deep represents the height of horological diving technology. Unless you are Victor Vescovo or James Cameron you will never put this watch to the ultimate test.
But then again, most people who buy dive watches will never even take them to the bottom of a pool.
You buy a 6000m diver for the same reason you buy a Porche 911 or an Audi R8 (both vehicles you will also never take to their limits), for the experience. They exist for their performance, not their functionality. They are the ultimate artistic expression of engineering. There is a degree of adrenaline that comes with owning this level of performance and a pride in ownership. And you are also aware, as a collector, that there is residual value in possessing something so unique.
Admit it. You buy it because it makes you feel good.
Final Thoughts
The Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 6000M Ultra Deep in Summer Blue takes the brutal mechanics of a machine constructed solely to withstand pressure and makes it beautiful. There are other extreme divers out there. But many of them are gimmicky, with strange cases and bizarre bits of unnecessary functionality. You are almost surprised by how traditionally attractive the Ultra Deep is–how free of artifice. And enough cannot be said about the appeal of its dial. The watch has all the trappings of a true saturation diver and then it is as though someone super-charged it, aesthetically and mechanically.
The Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 6000M Ultra Deep retails for $13 000 USD. For more information, please visit the website.
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About the author
Brent Robillard is a writer, educator, craftsman, and watch enthusiast. He is the author of four novels. You can follow him on Instagram.
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The water pressure at a depth of 6000 mtrs is eq to 47450 Newtons/sq inch on the watch face, and that pressure is also eq to a Waterfall pressure from a height of 593 mtrs … this clearly implies that such a Watch is fully capable of withstanding pressure of a crushing 100ft Seawave and/or a Shockwave of 194dB in real life .. thus the Watch is fully justified for its construction . . !!!