REVIEW: Omega Planet Ocean Chronograph 9900 - 2017
To some this is a marmite watch. It is one I had not really considered until I was passing through N. Terminal Gatwick a couple of weeks ago and said to the wife we should have a look in the Omega boutique. They had the usual DSOTM, GSOTM, Seamaster, DeVille - nothing special. Then I saw the (new) GMT ceramic with white/black. But the orange Chrono caught my wife's eye. So they both came out of the display for a quick look. I was actually surprised to find the Chrono fitted rather well after a couple of goes getting the silicon strap (on deployant) adjusted to my wrist. The white / black GMT just left me cold and didn't click with me. But the Chrono was the chosen one.
First impressions: Very well made and excellent attention to detail. The feel of the Chronograph needs to be experienced to be appreciated. The buttons just totally snap into place. I have tried the original Speedmaster and though tried and tested there is no comparison - I am sure I will burned for heresy but this is a much improved chronograph. There is no play and the second hand snaps back perfectly to 12 on reset.
I really like the 9900 movement which has a mini-12h clock at 3 o'clock with minute and hour hands - the minute being lumed and orange accented. The smaller hour hand hides behind until the chronograph is engaged. So this will track up to 12hrs elapsed for the chronograph. The 9 o'clock side it the second hand. There is a book value 70hour power reserve which will improve over all precision.
Aesthetically - the watch face is well balanced with all stick indices white lumed on black with metal (silver?) surround which catch the light along with the hands to make this a highly legible watch under all lighting conditions. Hour and minute hands are 'broad-arrow' tipped all lumed - with the minute hand just a slight different lume colour to show elapsed time from the lumed bezel pipe under dark conditions.
https://photos.smugmug.com/Watches/O...JC80431-X2.jpg
Practically - this watch has its pedigree as a diver: 600m wrt - pushers that can be operated underwater - unidirectional dive bezel with first 15m invaded orange silicon to match the other accents - 12 is the only arabic numeric on the watch face (no lumed). The silicon strap is black and orange sandwich with orange stitching - great for water use or being near the pool-side.
The case is finished with some polished and other brushed angles. The case back is sapphire showing the movement and has scalloped edges different from it's immediate predecessor. And the case profile is such that the lugs do not over hang but instead fit my wrist well even if it is a 'high' case. I find the height is offset by the wider case.
https://photos.smugmug.com/Watches/O...JC80432-X2.jpg
Measurements:
19.1mm - highest point - the domed sapphire crsytal face to (flat) case back -tapering to 17.7mm to the inside bezel (next to crystal)
45.5mm - diameter (not including pushers or crown)
51.5 mm - lug - lug width
Here are some detail pictures:
https://photos.smugmug.com/Watches/O...JC80433-X2.jpg
https://photos.smugmug.com/Watches/O...%20copy-X5.jpg
https://photos.smugmug.com/Watches/O...JC80425-X5.jpg
https://photos.smugmug.com/Watches/O...JC80420-X2.jpg
And a pool side shot:
https://photos.smugmug.com/Watches/O...E7F15A2-X2.jpg
Thanks for reading.
Martyn
