If you had any reservations before, OMEGA has dispelled them – 2021 is officially the year of the Seamaster. In a press conference last week, OMEGA CEO Raynauld Aeschlimann revealed a slew of new timepieces, but there was not one Speedmaster among them. Instead, the iconic Swiss watchmaker’s dive catalogue got the biggest update, and there are no complaints here.
“It gives me great pleasure to present the newest OMEGA timepiece for 2021, with a special glimpse at just some of the exclusive designs, materials and upgrades you can expect to see in the year ahead,” he said.
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As part of the new novelties unveiling, OMEGA went on to reveal that all of its watches will be Master Chronometer Certified going forward, with the process expected to be completed by 2022. For fans of the brand, the announcement comes as somewhat of a welcomed surprise. The in-house certification means that each watch must pass through a series of stringent tests, such as waterproof function and resistance to magnetic fields, however, the movements will still be certified by the Swiss standard COSC procedure. From there, the final product is approved by the Swiss government-controlled METAS agency (the Federal Institute of Metrology).
But while the process is a long-term goal, the big news was the new collection. Seamasters reigned supreme, while additions to the De Ville Tresors and ladies’ collections also featured prominently. Here’s what OMEGA unveiled:
Seamaster 300
As one of OMEGA’s most popular and respected brand pillars, the Seamaster 300 has remained a key collector’s item since it was first introduced in 1957. This time around, OMEGA is paying homage to the iconic dive watch and its heritage elements. For the 2021 edition, OMEGA retains the ‘60s-style open Arabic numerals while adding a touch of history with the reintroduction of its iconic central-seconds hand on the stainless steel versions.
While heritage plays a massive part in the 2021 Seamaster 300 collection, OMEGA has also toyed with modern technology. The new sandwich dials include a base layer of Super-LumiNova, before being covered with the second dial of common bronze. This element has the hour markers and numerals cut out to show the Super-LumiNova underneath.
The dial has also been scaled up for this version. The Seamaster 300 dial has grown from 29.5mm to 30.4mm while the case has stayed the same 41mm in diameter. Interestingly enough, OMEGA has managed to thin the case slightly, down to around 13.8mm from the 15mm previous generation.
The new generation OMEGA Seamaster 300 collection comes in three finishes – The Bronze Gold model with oxidised bronze dial on leather, the Seamaster 300 with blue dial on stainless steel with matching strap and Seamaster 300 with black dial on stainless steel on leather strap.
Seamaster Diver 300m Black Black
OMEGA’s most famous dive watch also copped an upgrade in the form of the Seamaster Diver 300m Black Black. Staying true to the original piece’ design and functionality, this new edition features a polished-brushed case in black ceramic. Paired with an integrated black rubber strap, the watch is a stunningly dark take on the iconic design.
Now, a black on black watch might sound exciting, but dive watches are about legibility, so in a sense, it seems counter-intuitive. That’s why OMEGA has introduced anthracite Super-LumiNova to the diving scale, the black PVD indexes and skeleton hands and dot at 12H. Even more excitingly, OMEGA has laser-ablated almost every detail on the black ceramic dial. This, in turn, gives the Seamaster Diver 300m a unique contrast that sets itself apart from the rest of the Seamaster lineup.
De Ville Tresor
Outside of the new Seamaster range, OMEGA also unveiled two new variations of elegant De Ville Tresor gent’s watches. A refreshingly simple and refined pair, the new watches come with a new sundial display and a diverse range of colours and materials.
As a heritage piece that often goes overlooked, the new De Ville Tresor range is a welcomed upgrade. Since 1949, the collection has become synonymous with the 30mm calibre, a movement that gave the watch a far slimmer and logical design. For the new range, OMEGA has added a range of 40mm watches in multiple materials.
The first models to be revealed feature polished cases and bezels in either 18k yellow gold or 18k Sedna gold, with sapphire crystals on both sides of the timepiece. The most interesting addition here is the new subdials. On all watches, there is a small seconds display at 6H while some models also cop a power reserve display 12H.
Seamaster Aqua Terra
Stepping into the new ladies range, OMEGA has added multiple new pieces to the Seamaster Aqua Terra collection. Featuring hour markers in diamonds and rubies, the 2021 models are a step towards refined elegance and bold colour. The 34mm models come in stainless steel and 18K Sedna gold, with a symmetrical polished brushed case body and polished bezel set with diamonds. The new collection also features central hour/minute and seconds hands in diamond-polished 8K Sedna gold and a date window at 6H.
Constellations Small Seconds
OMEGA’s iconic Constellations lineup gets a refresh in 2021. The enduring timepiece receives a new 34mm size and will be offered in a choice of 18K Sedna gold, stainless steel, or a combination of both. On top of each case, the bezels will feature engraved Roman numerals or a circle of 38 full-cut diamonds.
The latest edition doesn’t stray too far from the 2018 5th generation, with the watch’s brushed component complemented by polished bevelling along the casebody and bracelet, while a polished crown also adds to the slimline look.
All new OMEGA 2021 novelties have been now been unveiled to the public, however, Raynald Aeschlimann suggest that we may be seeing more before the year is out. “Recently, time has never felt more important,” he said. “We’ve all learned to cherish and appreciate the hours we have, and really make each one count. That’s why the values of quality, authenticity and craftsmanship really matter. For those with a renewed respect for time, these watches will certainly meet your expectations.”
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