planet ocean 8500 42mm review

[htc8p]

i would just like to give some feedback on my new omega planet ocean 8500 42mm orange numbers(sorry the reference is too long and i havent memorized it yet)


its really a beautiful watch. ceramic bezel is beautiful. i love the traditional rachet mechanism. the 42mm case is just right (makes the dial bigger) but overall doesnt seem big (since with bezel). the lugs are tapering down and slim. just some touches of polish (still a diver/tool). the raised numerals, markers, hands shine with just a small amount of light. the dial is matte black i thought that would be a turn off but actually the dial has many faces. most of the time it's deep black.


the case is thick.(thick watches constantly remind me its there so i tend to be careful and not bump it around) it's heavy too (im guessing 180-200grams) even heavier than my pam. i would like to wear this watch everyday (but i would just have to get used to the weight). its a little top heavy so better wear it snug.


the links are brushed, thick and heavy duty, a real diver. comfortable enough but oyster bracelet is better. but for omega, the bracelet matches the watch perfectly.




the see through case back helps stick the watch to my wrist. the black hair spring is odd and refreshing. beautiful movement. winding is a quiet "whirrrr" not clicks.


the AR coating is amazing and the lume is very strong. blue and green make it more visible.

a true diver. i now have the complete set: mask, c-card, omega sm PO. but i doubt i will bring this beast/baby diving. its a beast at the same time a beauty.

perfectly made. backed up by omega's high tech manufacturing and materials.
60hours power reserve and 4 years warranty. is an added bonus. This is my first omega and i think i have hit the jackpot. Where has omega been all this time? why are they only waking up now?

no remorse whatsoever. i also dont have that infatuated feeling. instead i feel that this is a watch that i would want to keep forever.


customary wrist shot. not a fan of unboxing. if you're looking for a subdate, you should look at the PO too. im sorry rolex i have cast my vote.

[mws222]

Very nice, been waiting for my orange bezel one for almost 3 weeks now

[wantonebad]

Just can't abide by those hands, wish they had a second option for hands. Great write up though.

[Noonan]

Great watch but that lume is obnoxious. Green for only the minute hand and pearl?

[Cru Jones]

nice write up and pix. thanks!

[TuonoRider]

Thanks for the pics and write up as well as the side profile shot. Definitely a thicker watch.

Personally, I really like the hands and lume. Probably just as many people don't like it, but haven't heard it called obnoxious until now. Meh, to each their own, that's why there are many choices out there.

[yessir69]

I tried one on at my AD last week. It's a BEAST. But it's the best looking diver I've ever seen. They did a fantastic job on it.

[The GMT Master]

I think the lume is one of the best features on the watch, I think it's pretty cool! Each to their own, I guess - this is still number one on my watch list right now

[Baco Noir]

Originally Posted by Noonan

Great watch but that lume is obnoxious. Green for only the minute hand and pearl?

From a diver's point of view, it is easier to monitor dive time with the color variation.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

[capote]

Originally Posted by yellowdog

from a diver's point of view, it is easier to monitor dive time with the color variation.

Sent from my droidx using tapatalk

+1

[Power Play]

Thanks for the review and great pix.

I, too, love the Omega brand, especially the SeaMaster and Speedie's. I've worn the PO for years and believe that their design, quality and "coolness" is one of the best kept secrets...

Enjoy it and wear it in good health!

[Starwalker]

......since 2000, Rolex has had the upper hand in the war in between Rolex vs. Omega. However, as much as I love Rolex, I am starting to greatly believe that the tides are turning. So far, on an objective view of the entire collections of both brands....I believe that omega has begun to put its best foot forward...love that 8500 movement, its so beautiful!

[Perdu]

It's a very good looking watch and looks even better in person. I think it's a fresher, more modern looking diver. Outstanding movement too. Congrats.

[SUPERDOC]

Originally Posted by Starwalker

......since 2000, Rolex has had the upper hand in the war in between Rolex vs. Omega. However, as much as I love Rolex, I am starting to greatly believe that the tides are turning. So far, on an objective view of the entire collections of both brands....I believe that omega has begun to put its best foot forward...love that 8500 movement, its so beautiful!

couldn't agree more...

[treeinthecity]

Awesome! Waiting for mine on rubber strap.

[mfserge]

Great review, thanks for sharing. The new PO's are spectacular pieces with terrific movements. Where else can you get an inhouse movement diver with ceramic bezel for $6200 retail on bracelet?? Omega hit a homerun with the redesigned POs. Congrats!

Not sure of the weight but I weighed the 9300 chrono tonight on bracelet and it's weighing in at 243 grams. The 8500 Ti Liquidmetal came in at 146g and the Liquidmetal LE 2500 178g...all on bracelets.

[Boardman]

Looks great. Thanks for the write up. I'm starting to get tempted on trading up from my 2500 PO now....

[zeuloa]

Originally Posted by Noonan

Great watch but that lume is obnoxious. Green for only the minute hand and pearl?

Agree. Also is it difficult to tell time in the dark? The 12 lume dot seems to be the same as the 3,6,9 lume dots. Seems it would take a minute to figure out where 12 is as a guide.

[warrior]

The PO is IMO the best looking dive watch there is. Also, love the dark gray bezel which provides contrast to the black dial and gives it that oh-so-cool vintage look. Orange makes the dial POP!

Interestingly, the glass back makes it MORE comfortable than the old PO in my opinion.

Congrats....

[capote]

Thanks for sharing, great looking watch

[Noonan]

Originally Posted by Yellowdog

From a diver's point of view, it is easier to monitor dive time with the color variation.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

I understand that and I can see how divers may like the feature. IMO, the hands are different enough shape to be able to tell them apart without them being a different color. I love the watch but I makes it look fake.

[mikkemus23]

Great review! Thanks!
Very nice watch as well!

[improviz]

Beautiful watch, congrats. I'm kind of torn on the lume: I'm sure it's more helpful for divers, but for us desk divers, I think a uniform coloration would be better (imo, of course).

But it is an amazing piece, enjoy and wear in good health!

[warrior]

IMO, The new PO really "crystallizes" two things for me...it's simultaneously 1) more elegant in its looks....and 2) has more presence that the Sub-c. In my book, that's pretty cool. extraordinary

[htc8p]

thanks for the replies.

like all watches there are negatives. the only problem i see with this watch is probably the weight and the thickness.

if they were only able to make the links as comfortable as oyster bracelet and with micro adjustment slots, then the weight and thickness wouldnt matter anymore.

[InTime]

nice watch, how big is your wrist?

[htc8p]

Originally Posted by InTime

nice watch, how big is your wrist?

my wrist is smallish 6.5" but rectangular. i can carry the watch nicely.

actually it doesnt seem to be a large difference from the 40mm watches because it doesnt have the fat lugs and the bezel is "inside" the case

[htc8p]

Originally Posted by improviz

Beautiful watch, congrats. I'm kind of torn on the lume: I'm sure it's more helpful for divers, but for us desk divers, I think a uniform coloration would be better (imo, of course).

But it is an amazing piece, enjoy and wear in good health!

actually this watch is just at home on the desk as much as in the pool/water. its a very versatile watch.

[InTime]

looks perfect on you. i tried one on earlier. 42mm is nice on me too. the bezel numbers look small on me, i like bigger numbers, but its just me.