OMEGA basel world 2016 press kit

OMEGA’s Master Chronometer Revolution Continues
One of the great pleasures within the OMEGA brand is beginning a new year and witnessing the wave of innovative products and designs that are due to be launched. In 2016, this moment has an added edge of excitement and intrigue.
Our highly publicised OMEGA Globemaster was one of last year’s leading stars. Not only was it beautiful in design, but it also carried the prestigious title of being the “World’s First Master Chronometer”.  As we promised, it would certainly not be the last. Today, I am proud to say that the Master Chronometer revolution is very much in-line with our objectives.
Master Chronometer certification represents a higher standard of excellence within the Swiss watchmaking industry. Many years of dedicated work have gone into this new standard, resulting in an official certification from the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology (METAS).
For OMEGA, the Globemaster represented not only a major milestone, but also the beginning of a new era in excellence. Our plan is to certify the majority of our mechanical watches as Master Chronometers by 2020. And from last year’s first step, the next phase has begun.
At Baselworld 2016, you will see a number of new movements and models that carry the Master Chronometer rating. These include the entire collection of new Seamaster Planet Ocean watches, the new Constellation Small Seconds model for ladies, and the Speedmaster Moonphase timepiece with its stunning blue dial.  We are also presenting a new version of last year’s successful Globemaster – this time as an Annual Calendar with a grey dial. During the course of the year, several other Master Chronometer watches will also be unveiled.
Certainly, this refined promise of quality shows that OMEGA remains at the forefront of technology and craftsmanship. True to our 168 year history, we are again pushing the boundaries of what is possible, offering our customers and fans an added level of confidence and trust.
I sincerely hope you enjoy exploring these new collections and will join us in our enthusiasm for each new Master Chronometer timepiece.

INTRODUCING SIX NEW MASTER CHRONOMETER MOVEMENTS
When it comes to watches, first impressions are often led by design and style. Yet, at Baselworld, there is also an opportunity to understand the inner workings of each timepiece, where advanced technology can often make all the difference.
That’s why, amongst the 105 new OMEGA timepieces being presented, one of the biggest highlights for the brand in 2016 is the roll-out of six new Master Chronometer movements.

These new calibres follow on the heels of last year’s Globemaster break-through, and signal the next step in the Master Chronometer revolution.

Firstly, there is a new Annual Calendar movement (8922 / 8923) for the Globemaster. The watch itself is particularly notable for its unique placement of the months on each facet of the Pie Pan dial. There are also the first Master Chronometer Chronograph movements. One is a new Planet Ocean Chronograph (9900 / 9901), and the other is the Speedmaster Moonphase (9904 / 9905). For ladies, OMEGA introduces a new Master Chronometer movement for the Planet Ocean 600M (8800 / 8801), and another Master Chronometer movement (8704 / 8705) with a small seconds feature for the ladies’ Constellation. The sixth Master Chronometer movement is a GMT addition (8906) that has been used for the new Planet Ocean 600M model with its black and white ceramic bezel.

With each of these new movements tested at the highest standards set by METAS (The Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology), it is clear that OMEGA is now making great strides in the precision, performance and magnetic resistance that is offered to customers.

GLOBEMASTER MASTER CHRONOMETER ANNUAL CALENDAR
In 2015, the Globemaster was one of OMEGA’s star timepieces on show in Basel. This year, the much talked about Master Chronometer returns with an update that is sure to impress again.
The inspiration for the Globemaster Annual Calendar movement comes from the 12 facets of the watch’s Pie Pan dial. A central varnished blue hand indicates the current month through an instantaneous jump.
As part of the evolution, the case diameter has been increased from 39mm to 41mm. The polished hour and minute hands are blued and facetted, and they are coated with Super-Luminova, along with the blued indexes. In changing light, the overall effect of the dial is truly captivating.
The other touches of blue include the polished central seconds hand, OMEGA logo, Constellation star and writing on the dial. Completing this colour theme, there is a blue leather strap equipped with a stainless steel foldover clasp.
The case itself has been crafted from stainless steel and, similar to last year’s successful launch, the polished fluted bezel has been made with scratchproof tungsten carbide.
What made last year’s Globemaster truly unique was its position as the World’s First Master Chronometer. Again, the innovative edge of this series continues. This time, the timepiece has been fitted with the new OMEGA Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 8922, while the Master Chronometer certification card that accompanies the timepiece proves that the watch has passed the eight intensive tests established by the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology (METAS).
CONSTELLATION MASTER CHRONOMETER SMALL SECONDS
Continuing the modern reinterpretation of the iconic Constellation, OMEGA has this year furthered the innovation of this timepiece with a new small seconds feature as well as Master Chronometer status.
It is this Master Chronometer certification that sets the watch apart. Introduced among the first ladies’ timepieces to reach the new standard, this Constellation model stands at the forefront of OMEGA’s new era of excellence. For such a refined and compact movement, this is a major achievement for the brand.
The Constellation has often set the benchmark in watchmaking precision, so it makes perfect sense that it should again be leading the way. As a Master Chronometer, this watch has passed the eight intensive tests set by the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology (METAS), giving the wearer full confidence in terms of accuracy and performance.
In design, it is clear that OMEGA has retained many of the popular attributes of recent Constellation models. The combination of stainless steel and 18K red gold delivers a warm aesthetic style, while the gentle, white pearled mother-of-pearl dial adds to the simple and elegant effect. Other stunning additions include the diamond-paved bezel and sapphire crystal caseback that enables viewing of the new Master Chronometer calibre 8704.
Finally, the new charm of this Constellation lies in the small seconds feature that has been placed at 9 o’clock. With four diamond markers, the subtle inclusion offers a unique extension to the collection. To offer balance in this new style, OMEGA has also moved the date window to 6 o’clock.
Once again, the Constellation delivers on elegance – as well as inspirational craftsmanship that sets a higher standard.

SEAMASTER PLANET OCEAN 600M MASTER CHRONOMETER “CHOCOLATE”
Watchmaking and chocolate are two of Switzerland’s most luxurious icons. And for this latest creation, OMEGA has melted the two together in one sensuous timepiece.
With its luscious brown colour, this Planet Ocean 600M Master Chronometer is at the forefront of craftsmanship and style. As the name suggests, the model has been updated as a Master Chronometer, the industry’s highest standard of certification. For women, this is among the first ladies’ timepieces to attain the impressive rating approved by the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology (METAS).
To see the innovative movement itself, wearers can admire the new calibre 8801 through the sapphire crystal caseback, complete with an oscillating weight crafted from 18K Sedna™ gold.
This is, in fact, the first time that 18K Sedna™ gold has been used for the Planet Ocean collection. The material has also been used for the case, hands and indexes, as well as the foldover clasp on the strap.
And to perfectly complement the soft reddish tone of the metal, OMEGA has created both the dial and bezel from chocolate brown ceramic. The colour is both rich and appealing, bringing yet another dimension to the Planet Ocean collection. On the bezel itself, OMEGA Ceragold™ technology has been used to create the numbers and new minute markers of the diving scale.
At 39.5 mm, this model is wider than some previous models, but has allowed for a slightly thinner case. Another aesthetic update can be found on the caseback, where a new undulating pattern offers a subtle yet captivating change.
Finally, this watch is presented on a brown leather strap with a rubber underside for a sporty and comfortable combination.

SEAMASTER PLANET OCEAN MASTER CHRONOMETER COLLECTION
 
This year, the Seamaster Planet Ocean has changed - inside and out.
Let's begin with the movements, which are not just new, but revolutionary.
For the first time, all Planet Ocean watches have become Master Chronometers.
This means they have all passed rigorous new testing standards set down by the independent Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology (METAS).
When we turn to the look of the watches, we find new sizes, thinner cases, innovative bezels, fresh designs and exciting materials, including 18K Sedna™ gold, Liquidmetal®, rubber and ceramic.

Seamaster Planet Ocean 45.5mm Chronograph

The Seamaster Planet Ocean 45.5mm Chronograph features an 18K Sedna™ gold and steel case and polished blue ceramic dial to create a watch that truly dazzles. It also includes a bi-colour bracelet in stainless steel with a stripe of 18K Sedna™ gold. The deep blue of the ceramic dial and bezel is offset beautifully by the OMEGA Ceragold™ numbers and diving scale. Not just a pretty face, the Seamaster Planet Ocean 45.5mm Chronograph also has a unique alveol design on the screw-in caseback. And working perfectly behind the scenes is its exceptional movement: the OMEGA Master Chronometer 9900.   

Seamaster Planet Ocean 43.5mm Auto

If it's true that we all get 15 minutes of fame, this timepiece is a celebrity twice a day. The striking uni-directional rotating diving bezel on the Seamaster Planet Ocean 43.5mm Auto is a true innovation as well as a world premiere. For the first time, rubber has been blended with ceramic, with orange rubber covering the first 15 minutes. Liquidmetal® numbers and scales have then been used to stand out boldly for the diving and minute scales. The black ceramic dial includes new applied Arabic numerals, and if you turn the watch over, a stunning alveol pattern on the caseback creates a special wave effect. Completing the look of the stainless steel watch is the black leather strap with a black and orange rubber underside. But there's true beauty inside too. The Master Chronometer 8900 provides the ultimate beating heart.   

Seamaster Planet Ocean 43.50mm GMT

This timepiece features another first for Planet Ocean: the world's premiere polished bi-ceramic [ZrO2] black and white bezel ring. On the stainless steel case, the bi-directional rotating bezel separates night from day, with numerals and scaling in contrasting colours. If the colour of night wins out on the black ceramic dial, the numbers and scales shine through. Further brightness is provided by the dot at 12 o'clock in white Super-LumiNova.
The black leather strap with rubber lining is held fast with a foldover clasp in stainless steel. Both night and day, the watch keeps perfect timing thanks to its revolutionary movement: the Master Chronometer 8906.

SEAMASTER AQUA TERRA “GOODPLANET”
Supporting the GoodPlanet Foundation through the releases of new Master Co-Axial Timepieces.
When OMEGA’s partnership with the GoodPlanet Foundation was announced in 2011, it began an empowering collaboration that has since covered the world’s surface.

After the success of the inaugural Planet Ocean film, as well as several beneficial conservation projects, OMEGA is commemorating the partnership with the release of several new timepieces.

In 2016, the new documentary TERRA will be launched worldwide, highlighting the fragile relationship between humans and animals. From this film, two new wildlife projects have been established in Botswana and a portion of sales from these watches will help to fund the ongoing work.

The Aqua Terra “GoodPlanet” is built from robust grade 5 titanium, and stands out for its use of the ocean’s colour. This is found on the applied blued indexes, OMEGA logo, and facetted blued hands, all placed upon a lacquered white dial. Unlike other Aqua Terra models, these watches do not feature the typical teak design.
While the watch comes with a polished-brushed grade 5 titanium bracelet, there is also a blue coated nylon fabric strap, perfected with white stitching and a foldover clasp.
In the 43.00 mm model, powered by OMEGA’s Master Co-Axial Calibre 8605, the dial features a GMT 24-hour display with a red tipped GMT hand, allowing the wearer to keep track of international time. This version also includes a date window at 6 o’clock.
The second model, driven by OMEGA’s Master Co-Axial Calibre 8500, has a diameter of 38.50 mm and places its date window at 3 o’clock.
For both these timepieces, the movement is visible through a domed scratch-resistant sapphire crystal caseback. This reverse side also features engravings that include the unique “GOODPLANET FOUNDATION” in varnished blue.
Presented in a special bamboo box, these stunning timepieces make a wonderful collector’s item and allow the wearer to contribute to the fantastic work being done for our planet.

SPEEDMASTER MASTER CHRONOMETER CHRONOGRAPH MOONPHASE

The first thing that strikes you about this extraordinary new timepiece is the representation of the moon. It has never looked more realistic. The high resolution image, in sharply contrasting black and white, is as detailed as a NASA photograph; so detailed in fact, that a closer look reveals an astronaut's footprint.

The Speedmaster is no stranger to the lunar surface, given that it was the first watch worn on the moon. And as a Master Chronometer, this watch celebrates another pioneering moment: OMEGA's exacting new standard of testing, set in late 2015, by the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology (METAS).

True to its name, the timepiece displays the phases of the moon. Contrary to popular belief, a lunar month is not 30 days, but slightly more than 29.5 days. A difficult time span to manage for a standard gear train, but OMEGA's Moonphase is up to the task. Its highly accurate mechanism only needs adjusting after 10 years, and all it takes is a few turns of the crown.

And it's not just the moon's wobbles kept in check. The watch is also balanced visually, with twin two-handed subdials, to create a beautifully symmetrical look.      

The Speedmaster Moonphase has many other striking features: including a stunning sun-brushed blue dial, ceramic bezel and stainless steel case. Liquidmetal® has been used on the tachymeter scale; another Speedmaster first, and a closer look reveals rhodium-plated circles on the subdials.   

Though the hands are classic Speedmaster, the internal workings are a giant leap forward. The revolutionary new 9904 movement is made up of 368 components and marks the start of a whole new era in watchmaking.

Of course, no OMEGA timepiece is complete without the ultimate finishing touch. For a watch with such a stunning blue dial, it has to be a blue leather strap, clasped with a foldover buckle.

SPEEDMASTER GREY SIDE OF THE MOON “METEORITE”
The modern OMEGA Moonwatch is revered by a new generation of wearers for its outstanding design and innovative thinking. Today, yet another exceptional model is being launched, this time offering a real piece of space that you can wear on your wrist.
The name itself suggests a deep space journey – a Moonwatch that has hurtled through meteorite showers on its way to the distant red planet Sedna. In doing so, it has combined the elements of these celestial inspirations.
The 44.25mm Speedmaster Grey Side of the Moon “Meteorite” introduces a number of new features to the Speedmaster collection. For example, this is the first time that a tachymeter scale has been created using OMEGA Ceragold™.
For those not familiar with this technology, OMEGA Ceragold™ is a special way of decorating ceramic watch parts with 18K gold. The two materials together create a smooth and captivating overall effect.
In this instance, the 18K Sedna™ gold bezel is layered with a silicon nitride bezel ring. This is harder and lighter than ceramic, and is considered an important material in the future of OMEGA’s watchmaking. The OMEGA Ceragold™ tachymeter scale has then been added.
The mellow, reddish tone of 18K Sedna™ gold is also used to create the brushed indexes and hands of the watch.
Of course, the main feature of this watch is the highlight that everyone wants to talk about. That is the incredible meteorite dial.
On each timepiece, the dial has been made from a solid piece of extra-terrestrial stone. It is estimated that between 2000 and 5000 meteorites over 1kg fall to Earth every year. 75% of those disappear over the ocean or desert. Some, however, are discovered and prized for their rare beauty.
For OMEGA’s “meteorite dial”, we have sourced slices of the Gibeon meteorite that fell in prehistoric times in Namibia. The local Nama people once used it to craft tools and weapons. More recently however, the allure of this iron meteorite has been prized by designers for its classic Widmanstätten pattern.
The Widmanstätten pattern, named after the Austrian scientist who discovered it,  refers to the ribbon-like flecks that are found in this kind of meteorite after an acid etch. For the owner of this watch, the pattern is clearly visible, and also unique in each model.
For fans of the original Speedmaster Grey Side of the Moon, it is good to know that the original look and feel has still been retained. The same revolutionary techniques have been used to create the grey ceramic case, and there is still the grey leather strap with its foldover clasp. The OMEGA Co-Axial calibre 9300 continues to sit at the watch’s heart.
With the Speedmaster’s connection to space, we believe that this timepiece is another remarkable tribute to the collection’s past, and as close it gets to owning a true secret of the universe.

SPEEDMASTER “CK2998” LIMITED EDITION
The original OMEGA Speedmaster CK2998 was released in 1959 and has since become one of the most sought-after vintage Speedmasters in the world. With its Alpha hands, symmetrical case and dark bezel, it has always been a strong favourite.
Today, OMEGA has used this classic model as inspiration for the new Speedmaster “CK2998” Limited Edition. So many of the iconic features have been retained, yet the watch has been updated for a new generation and offers much more in terms of stunning design.
The first thing you’ll notice is the striking use of blue. This colour has been used on all three subdials, as well as the minutes track and a polished ceramic bezel with tachymeter base scale. The tachymeter scale is also coated in Super-LumiNova for increased visibility in dark conditions.  There is a blue leather strap with subtle “beige” stitching and a polished buckle.
The polished and brushed stainless steel case is complemented by an opaline silvery dial that also houses a number of exquisite features. Firstly, rhodium-plated “Alpha” hands are used for the hours and minutes, as well as on the subdials. For the chronograph seconds hand, we have reintroduced the “lollipop” style which is linked to the original model.
Only 2,998 of these collectable watches have been produced and each Limited Edition number can be found on the caseback, along with an embossed Seahorse medallion, Ω logo and “SPEEDMASTER” name.
Finally, it’s important to note that the heritage of this model continues on the inside. The watch is driven by the OMEGA Calibre 1861, a movement that was famously used in the very first “Moonwatch”.

THE LADYMATIC FINE JEWELLERY COLLECTION: FEMININE, ELEGANT AND TIMELESS.

The Ladymatic collection reinterprets the iconic watchcase to create an exquisite collection of fine jewellery, with strong links to OMEGA's famous timepiece.

With four seductive wave patterns, the ring pictured is classic Ladymatic, with a gold weight of 8.40 and twin circles of 0.72ct diamonds.

The Ladymatic pendant, which beautifully mirrors the ring, is graced with 0.4 ct diamonds.  

To create a more graceful line, two of the four wave patterns have been used on the Ladymatic bracelet, with one wave paved in 0.56ct diamonds.

The pieces represented here are in red gold, but are also available in white and yellow gold.

Prestige is assured, as all of OMEGA's fine jewellery meets the world's highest standards: from IF to VVS purity.