seamaster

In preparation for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London England, official timekeeper Omega has announced their first limited production watch for the event. The watch is the Seamaster Aqua Terra collection, and is the "Omgea Seamaster Aqua Terra 44 London Chronograph" watch. In a 44mm wide steel case, the watch contain an Omega Co-Axial automatic chronograph movement and has a textured metallic blue dial. There will also be a solid 18k rose gold version that will look really nice with the blue dial. On the rear of the watch will be some special engraving for the event.

Omega will need to put in some extra effort this time around as their "official timekeeper" clock to countdown the coming of the London Olympics officially broke down and needed to be quickly repaired. Even in the world of high-end timekeeping - things can go wrong. Look for this new Seamaster Aqua Terra 44 London Chronograph timepiece soon.

Ariel Adams publishes the wrist watch reviews site aBlogtoRead.com.

Now a little something for the ladies out there that are just sick of using Nike watches while engaged in physical activities - and want something more... substantial. You don't need to rely on a man's watch for a sophisticated instrument look, and now Omega has released a female sized version of one of its most popular watches. The Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Chronograph 600m is an attractive and classic watch, but the standard model is 45.5mm wide. Large on most male wrists, too big on most female wrists. A few years after the Planet Ocean made its big splash, Omega now releases a 37.5mm wide version for women who want to sport the same look without looking silly.

The watch case is in steel with a helium escape valve, metal bracelet, and 600 meters of water resistance. A perfect diving watch from a company know for making excellent divers. The chronograph pushers can be had with the pictured black tips, which are also available in orange. The orange versions have the tone carried over to parts of the rotating diver's bezel as well.

Inside the watch is COSC certified Omega Co-Axial Calibre 3313 automatic mechanical movement. The included chronograph complication uses the more desirable column wheel mechanism in the movement. While at 37.5mm wide in size, this Seamaster Planet Ocean watch is much smaller than the male version, it is actually about the same size as some of the Omega Seamaster 300m watches sold in various Asian countries as men's models.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

The re-released Omega Seamaster Ploprof watch was a big hit with collectors who lusted after the original Ploprof watch of the 1970s. So it makes sense that Omega's contribution to the Only Watch 2009 auction represent this iconic timepiece - but in gold. It is ironic that was is essentially a very dedicated diving instrument should be milled in 250 grams of solid 18k red gold. This watch will help you sink when diving. For this one-off timepiece you can clearly see the note on the dial of "1/1 Only Watch" There will not be any more of these to go around. Plus, as the watch will be up for auction it is anyone's guess right now at how much it will go for. Aside from being in red gold, the Only watch version of the Seamaster Ploprof is nicely done with a white dial, bezel, and rubber strap. Like the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms, the bezel is covered with a sapphire crystal to protect it but keep it legible.

If you aren't familiar with the Ploprof watch functionality, allow me to cover it briefly. The 2009 (including this model) version of the watch is water resistant to 1200 meters, has an automatic helium escape valve, and a button (gold and white ceramic) at about 2 o'clock that is meant to release the rotating diver's bezel. The watch is over 55mm wide and 17.5 mm thick. The hands and hour indicators on the watch are also in red gold. Inside the watch is the Omega Calibre 8501 automatic movement that has been Chronometer certified. The individual who purchases this timepiece will no doubt be the envy of many, and few will just laugh of them for the ludicrous nature of the watch as some may see it. The Only Watch 2009 auction will be held in Monaco on September 24th this year.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

I love to spot watches on most everyone, and it is particularly gratifying to know what timepiece public figures wear. I can't take credit for spotting Vice President Joe Biden's timepiece, though reports suggest that he is an Omega fan and wears a Seamaster watch.

While not the most interesting of watches - or even Omega's finest for that matter - the Seamaster 300m seen on Biden is a classic, having been around as long as I can remember. This Omega watch was probably in at least one modern James Bond film, as the Seamaster line has been Omega's choice for 007. Being a diver's watch by nature, the timepiece's 300 meter water resistance and bright luminant covered hands make them perfect for underwater exploration and visibility. Also standard on this watch is a helium escape valve (the upper left crown), which is meant to preserve the watch while spending time in a diver's decompression chamber. Something Mr. Biden (like most people) probably does with great frequency (no, not really).

Biden's version of the Seamaster contains a quartz movement, but automatic mechanical versions are available. This choice of watch probably does not signify that the Vice President is a major watch lover, though he probably does have some penchant for nice things. The retail price today of this quartz Omega Seamaster 300m watch is roughly $2,000.

Via National Jeweler.

Ariel Adams publishes the watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.