The Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Chronograph Watch – A very satisfying sports watch

The Seamaster Planet Ocean watch has been a great success for Omega. What makes these sports timepieces so attractive to me as an informal student of watch history, is the way that these models are clearly inspired by some of the important vintage Seamaster models, such as the Seamaster 300 from 1955, and even the legendary “Ploprof” 2000m dive watch from 1970. In constrast to some of the rather mediocre watch designs bearing the Seamaster title in the 1970’s and 1980’s, (a time when Omega’s identity was shaken up by the quartz crisis) the Seamaster Planet Ocean is strong, focused, and equally important—horologically distinguished.

No model emphasizes the strength of this reinvigorated Omega Seamaster watch collection, more than the Seamaster Planet Ocean Chronograph. It’s bold, dynamic, and highly sports worthy–you can even safely operate the chronograph functions under water without fear of infiltration (all the way to 600 meters!). With its superb in-house 3303 movement, complete with the innovative Co-Axial escapement, this sports watch also exemplifies excellent horological engineering. Considering the exclusivity, impeccable technical features, and quality this instrument embodies, this Seamaster Planet Ocean timepiece is also an exceptional value.

Vacheron Constantin’s Chronometre Royal 1907 Watch – Exquisite tribute to the past

When you have existed for over 250 years, as the house of Vacheron Constantin has, it is indeed very appropriate having a collection entitled “Historiques”.  As much asany of the renowned haute de gamme watch brands (and perhaps to an even greater degree) history plays a huge part in what makes this Genevan house such a magical name for connoisseurs.

The Vacheron Constantin Chronometre Royal 1907 watch is the newest addition to this collection, and it is fantastic.  Modeled after a legendary Vacheron Constantin pocket watch of the same name, which set a notable standard for precision, reliability, and legibility, this new wristwatch displays some extremely exclusivetechnical features that make it a fantastic demonstration of Vacheron’s expertise in haute horlogerie.

Most immediately notable, is the amazing white dial in genuine grand feu enamel.  Extremely difficult to craft, such dials are considered true artisanal masterworks,and this one is as beautiful as any I have seen recently, made all the better by the lack of any date displaying marring the harmony of its perfectly lustrous surface. At 39mm, the case of the Chronometre Royal 1907 has been ideally proportioned–smaller than yesteryear’s (34-35mm) dress watches, yet not grossly over-sized, the Chronometre Royal 1907 watch case is like Goldilocks’s porridge–”just right”.  I love the fact that the bezel and lugs are polished, while the sides of the pink gold case are given a satin-brushed finish.  The crown is also very elegant, and suits the retro design beautifully.

Finally, the view through the caseback is equally special.  This new Vacheron Constantin watch features the brand’s own, exclusive 2460SCC caliber movement, which is doubly distinguished by having both the coveted Geneva Seal hallmark, and a COSC chronometer certificate.  As you would expect of a Geneva Seal-awarded movement, the finish is superb, and the specially-designed 22K gold rotor is frosting on theproverbial cake, with its open-worked design and satin-finishing.  I am hugely appreciative that Vacheron Constantin engineered this mechanism to have a stop-seconds feature—after all this is a chronometer-certified watch which pays tribute to a historical model noted for its precision.  Not being able to precisely set the watch would detract from this slightly, but the designers didn’t miss a beat here.

It is uncommon to see a modern wristwatch embodying the quality and even more importantly-
-the handcrafted charm—of timepieces from the late 19th and early 20th century. This Vacheron Constantin Chronometre Royal 1907 watch is one of those rare examples; it is truly superb. �