Deep dive into Omega’s biggest launch of the year
Many of us will never use a tool watch for its actual purpose but the aesthetics offer reason enough. Especially when a dial can be so alluring.
It’s a truism that most of us have little need for many functions of a watch, other than, well, telling the time. Particularly when it comes to such things as flying a plane or diving deep down into the ocean. But admiring the aesthetic of such timepieces, and the feeling that one could do such things? Well, that’s entirely understandable. Omega had a particularly exciting release this year to celebrate the 75th anniversary of its most famous dive watch, and it’s really up to you to choose your depth.
Deep dive
Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra
Worldtimer
How deep is your love? When it comes to the Omega Seamaster and adventures in the ocean’s depths, the answer is, quite. To celebrate the 75th anniversary of Omega’s emblematic dive watch – launched in 1948 and based on models created for the British Royal navy – the Swiss watchmaker has released updated references, all in the hue Summer Blue. What’s more, the dials of the watches in the 11-piece collection gradually become darker to reflect water resistance – that of the Planet Ocean Ultra Deep for instance, capable of 6000m depth, is almost black. Each piece has a commemorative solid steel cashback featuring an engraving of the Greek god Poseidon and two classic Omega seahorses. Meanwhile, the spirit of adventure also resides in the world-time complication of the sturdy 43mm Aqua Terra, which has water resistance of 150m and comes with a blue rubber or stainless steel bracelet.
$16,350
Flight path
Breitling Navitimer 36
The Navitimer needs little introduction, especially if you happen to be a pilot or in command of a jet. Since 1954, almost every Navitimer watch has featured the recognisable “navigation computer” – a circular slide rule on the rotating bezel that allows pilots to make calculations on such things as airspeed, distance, fuel consumption and more. But like many tool watches, it also appeals to people who may never sit in a cockpit. The two new sizes in the collection, 32mm and 36mm, come in a series of luminous and colourful mother-of-pearl dials from mint green to silver. Some pieces across both sizes are studded with lab-grown diamonds too, part of the watchmaker’s transition to only using sustainably sourced stones.
$7290
Zenith Defy Revival, boutique edition
The Zenith Defy Revival embodies the glory and the downfall of watchmaking in the 1970s. This period was the depth of the ‘quartz crisis,’ where the advent of cheaper battery operated timepieces challenged the Swiss watchmaking industry. But it was also an especially good time for stainless steel integrated bracelet sports watches. The exact kind that many people want to wear now.
The Defy may have had a relatively short run in the ‘70s but the collection is well and truly back. This includes the two new additions to the Defy Revival permanent collection launched at LVMH Watch Week earlier this year. Distinctly modern updates to the retro-looking octagonal case (once nicknamed coffre-fort,” a French word for “safe deposit box” for its shape) include Super-LumiNova on the hands and markers and sapphire crystal on the 37mm case and cashback.
It runs on the same Elite 670 automatic calibre as the Defy Classic. The beguiling gradient teal dial version is a boutique exclusive.
$10, 500
This story appears in the October issue of WISH Magazine, out now.
