New Planet Ocean
Discussion
Slightly thinner, no He valve, more angular case, very simple case back, PCLs.
I don't like it, something seems off. The case back looks cheap, and the dial/bezel proportions look off for some reason. No date complication and still 13.7mm thick. Plus the clasp is super shiny. It just doesn't look like a tool watch anymore.
Old one for comparison:
And my Railmaster has a more interesting case back than this PO.
Thoughts?
I don't like it, something seems off. The case back looks cheap, and the dial/bezel proportions look off for some reason. No date complication and still 13.7mm thick. Plus the clasp is super shiny. It just doesn't look like a tool watch anymore.
Old one for comparison:
And my Railmaster has a more interesting case back than this PO.
Thoughts?
I think overall I prefer the new one but the lack of a He valve is missing one of the characteristics that makes the PO (and Seamaster 300) what they are which is disappointing.
I prefer the metal strap on the new versions, I like the taper but I think I prefer the rubber strap on the old PO I used to have.
Not keen on the back of the new version.
I do feel like the new ones are moving a little too closely to Rolex designs.
I prefer the metal strap on the new versions, I like the taper but I think I prefer the rubber strap on the old PO I used to have.
Not keen on the back of the new version.
I do feel like the new ones are moving a little too closely to Rolex designs.
I was invited by my local boutique last night to try them on.
As somebody with a slender 16cm wrist, the outgoing 39.5mm version has been the best fitting Planet Ocean, with the first gen 42mm being the next best.
Trying the new 42mm on, we could tell immediately that it was far too big for me.
The new angular, aggressive styling, and polished centre links on the bracelet - all of which I do like - also made it appear even larger. We joked that the new Planet Ocean looks like how the Ultra Deep appears on the wrist for everybody else! The new all matte dial is very nice and increases legibility dramatically over the outgoing ceramic dial.
Price increase is tough to swallow, as most of the change is visual, with some things being a backwards step - loss of date wheel, loss of exhibition case back. Loss of helium escape valve has divided opinion - personally mourn its loss. The movement I was told is a modified 8900, removing the date function.
I do hope they'll reprofile the watch at some point in this new generation, as the now current range of 300m Seamaster and Planet Ocean basically sizes out anybody with smaller wrists.
As somebody with a slender 16cm wrist, the outgoing 39.5mm version has been the best fitting Planet Ocean, with the first gen 42mm being the next best.
Trying the new 42mm on, we could tell immediately that it was far too big for me.
The new angular, aggressive styling, and polished centre links on the bracelet - all of which I do like - also made it appear even larger. We joked that the new Planet Ocean looks like how the Ultra Deep appears on the wrist for everybody else! The new all matte dial is very nice and increases legibility dramatically over the outgoing ceramic dial.
Price increase is tough to swallow, as most of the change is visual, with some things being a backwards step - loss of date wheel, loss of exhibition case back. Loss of helium escape valve has divided opinion - personally mourn its loss. The movement I was told is a modified 8900, removing the date function.
I do hope they'll reprofile the watch at some point in this new generation, as the now current range of 300m Seamaster and Planet Ocean basically sizes out anybody with smaller wrists.
Edited by Cybertronian on Wednesday 19th November 14:41
Edited by Cybertronian on Wednesday 19th November 14:45
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