Not only does champion swimmer Michael Phelps hold the record for the most decorated Olympian of all time, he also holds the record for most Olympic gold medals, most Olympic gold medals in individual events, and most Olympic medals in individual events. It’s an unprecedented 28 total Olympic medals, 23 of which are gold. Phelps retired last year after the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio, and as a friend of Olympic Official Timekeeper and Swiss Omega Seamaster 41mm 300m Divers Watch Black Dial Replica maker Omega since 2004, the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean “Michael Phelps” Limited Edition watch celebrates his amazing achievements.
The Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean “Michael Phelps” Limited Edition Omega Seamaster 300m 41mm Review Replica is based on the Seamaster Planet Ocean Chronograph 45.5mm watch that was announced last year (hands-on here). It features a hefty 45.5mm stainless steel case, and the uni-directional bezel is unique in that it is made out of polished blue ceramic but has the first 15 minute markings inlaid with orange rubber. The case also features a helium escape valve and is at home in the water as Phelps with a water-resistance of 600m.
Blue is a recurring theme for this particular edition of the Seamaster Planet Ocean Chronograph. The dial is made out of a bright white ceramic and has blue applied hour indexes filled with white luminescent material. The hour, minute, and central chronograph seconds hands are all blue too. At 9 o’clock, you have a blue subsidiary seconds dial with a blue running seconds hand. And at 3 o’clock, you have a 12-hour chronograph totalizer, which is also in blue with a blue hour counter hand and an orange minute counter hand. To complete the look, the Omega Seamaster 300m Master Co Axial Review Replica comes with a blue rubber strap with blue-orange rubber lining and orange stitching.
Though there is a lot of use of blue, the overall aesthetic is very fitting as it calls to mind the waters of a swimming pool. In addition, thanks to the striking white ceramic dial, the watch looks highly legible.
The Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean “Michael Phelps” Limited Edition comes with a sapphire crystal case back, which has a transferred logo of Michael Phelps etched in chromium. It also allows owners to admire the Omega Calibre 9900 within, which has attained Master Chronometer certification.
The Calibre 9900 is a self-winding chronograph movement with a column-wheel mechanism and is resistant to magnetic fields of up to 15,000 gauss in strength. It has two barrels in series offering a power reserve of 60 hours, and features a silicon balance spring. It is handsomely decorated too with rhodium-plated bridges finished with Geneva waves in arabesque.
It is hard to envision its been over 20 years since the original Seamaster Pro 300M Diver, mention 2531.80 was released back in 1993. Ever since then, its gone on to become one of the iconic Seamasters using a production run that between three iterations has surpassed the lifespan of the original Omega Seamaster 300 diver of the 50s and 60s. Powered by the durable and accurate Calibre 2500D three degree Co-Axial Chronometer movement, with an upgraded version of this intricate yet substantial good connection “Bond” bracelet, a superb clasp mechanism and helium escape valve. The new bezel is made from highly scratch resistant solid ceramic, with inlayed indices made from extremely hard chromium nitride, signaling a substantial upgrade over the comparatively brittle painted aluminum of former versions. This is one of the nicest upgrades on the Seamaster Pro, it’s this look and texture of glass that causes you to want to get it, yet repels those scrapes and marks that damaged the old aluminium bezel (which wasn’t economical to replace).While the timeless bond bracelet stays aesthetically the same, the old pin and bushing method of securing links was substituted with a brand new screw method, which is an excellent improvement that was well overdue. Rather than just one screw, Omega utilizes two screws one on either end which hold set up a fundamental bushing that conveys the strain but is not perceptible fit.The motion new ceramic Seamasters utilize the D revision of the Calibre 2500 Co-Axial movement, incorporating the improved three level Co-Axial escapement functioning at 25,200 vhp, an identical configuration to that used in the Calibre 8500 rather than the two level version seen in A, B and C versions. Though some prefer the 8500 motion and display back the 2500 does keep the Seamaster Pro significantly thinner than the Planet Ocean and in a really reasonable price section.
Given that Phelps’ life has been a race against time, it is fitting that the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean “Michael Phelps” Limited Edition watch is a chronograph. It is a rather handsome watch too, and the use of white and blue creates very strong aquatic vibes, which is apt. The Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean “Michael Phelps” Limited Edition watch is limited to 280 pieces, a reference to Phelps’ 28 Olympic medals, and is priced at around the same as the non-limited version at $9,000. omegawatches.com