Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 2500 Caliber / AKA: Omega PO 2500

Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 2500 Caliber / AKA: Omega PO 2500

This is a quick review of the Planet Ocean from Omega, one of my favorite timepieces:

Technical specifications:

• Caliber: Omega 2500 -based on ETA 2892
• Category: Dive Watches (Automatic/Mechanical)
• Size: 45.5mm diameter
• Watch is a COSC certified Chronometer
• 600m water resistance
• Country of Origin: Switzerland
• Name of Brand: Omega - part of the Swatch Group

The Planet Ocean was introduce in 2005, initially with the 2500c movement, which is the 3rd and improved installment based on ETA 2892 movement which is a well-known and very reliable work-horse of a movement. From what I can tell, the 2500c movement is a reliable movement and I have not had any issues with the movement since I started to wear this watch. I am aware that Omega recently introduced another version of the 2500 movement, the 2500d, but I have not heard anything good nor bad about the 4th version of the 2500 caliber. There is a lot of writing to be found on the internet about the caliber 2500 itself, so you can easily find more information about it.

One of the key points that drew me to the watch were the looks and how hefty and strong the PO feels. I also liked how easily the time can be read on the watch. The price was another aspect I liked, as -to me- the watch is competing with the Rolex Submariner (especially the pre-2010 models). Compared to the Rolex’s the Omega’s are (were) well priced. However, the updated Planet Ocean’s with the ceramic bezel, the see through sapphire case backs and the 8500 calibers have (almost) reached the (post 2010) Rolex Submariner price point. Having said that, this particular Planet Ocean with the 2500 caliber can still be had for a much more reasonable price, especially in the second hand market. Although a lower price for a lot of watch is never bad, most horologists will know that a used Rolex Submariner as most watches from the Rolex brand, will not drop in price as quickly as many other brands.

The review features my own point system (out of a maximum of 10 per category). Of course you can attach the points you think the watch deserves to each category and thus calculate your own total.

Enjoy & thanks for reading my blog!

WristWatchDude

 

Watchband:	7/10
Band is well made and feels comfortable on my wrist. Unfortunately micro adjustments are missing, which may be a problem when the skin expands, for example during physical activity or a hot day.
Usability of the watch:	8/10
Screw in Crown. Position 1 winds the watch; position 2 adjusts the date; position 3 sets the time & stops the second hand. Generally very easy to use. The aluminum bezel features a 120 click unidirectional bezel ring, commonly seen on dive watches. By the way, the aluminum bezel is not as prone to scratches as some of the watch literature promoting ceramic style bezels would make you believe. Although it is a watch rated for a depth of 600 meters/2000 feet, I see the PO more of a cool watch for ‘desk divers’, swimming with the watch is ok, but I would not recommend it during extended free style (crawl) swimming for 2 reasons: 1. The impact with water will put unnecessary strain on the shock protection of the movement and 2. It is not a light watch, so if you do some serious swimming with this watch, it will most likely bother you.
Watch housing & design:	9/10
Housing feels strong and well made. Details are nicely done and look high quality. To me the Omega PO features one of the nicest designs of most mechanical diving watches in the market. I like the shape of the housing, and that the watch feels 'just right' on smaller and larger wrists. The sapphire crystal is thick and feels strong, the anti-reflective layer (on both sides) gives an almost perfect view of the dial. I have not had any issues with the anti-reflective treatment on the top of the watch, and I have worn the watch in open water, pools and in the shower and am not particularly careful with it. I have read some reviews where the reviewers had the top layer anti-reflective treatment ‘peel off’ but I have not had any issues thus far.  On my model, the second hand has a touch of orange on the tip of the hand, this is very nicely done and gives the watch character.
Readability of time:	10/10
Easy to read during any conditions. At night the luminescent hands and hour indicators glow for many hours (in green).
Comfort of wearing the PO:	9/10
Even on smaller wrists, the watch wears comfortable. The lack of micro adjustments may cause (slight) discomfort during hot weather when the skin expands, so make sure you have at least 1 finger size of space between the watch and your wrist. The diving extension is well made, but makes the wristband too large for wear on the naked wrist (it’s designed for the watch to be worn over the diving suit).
Watch movement:	7/10
It’s an ETA 2892 base, modified to use the Daniel's Co-Axial escapism. The movement operates at a somewhat unusual 3.5 HZ or 25,200 beats per hour which translates to 7 beats per second. The impression I have is that the second hand moves very smoothly and, visually, I don’t see much of a difference compared to an 8 beats per second movement (only noticeable if you really, really focus on the second hand). Although it’s an ETA based movement, ETA and Omega are Swatch Group companies. This modified (co-axial) ETA 2892 movement is only available through Omega, which makes the movement an (almost) in-house movement.
Time keeping:	9/10
The time keeping is well within COSC norm. I noticed that the watch goes faster in humid conditions but works dead on in hot (above 30 C) but less humid conditions. Overall, I am happy with the time keeping of the watch, although, from what I can tell the Omega 8500 movement on my Omega AquaTerra is a better time keeper, however, the main difference between the 2500 and 8500 calibers I have seen is in keeping the time over an extended period of time: After 1 week of standard wrist wear (not wearing the watch in bed) the watch with the 8500 caliber kept the time perfectly whereas the 2500 caliber was going fast by as much as 20 seconds. And as always with mechanical timepieces, when newly purchased or not worn in a while, give the movement some time to settle.
Cost/Value & Conclusion	8 /10
For around 3500 USD, you get a serious competitor of the much more expensive Rolex Submariner, albeit the PO 2500 should be compared to the pre-2010 Submariner, nevertheless it also gives the updated Rolex a good run for the money. Additionally many would argue that the Omega brand is on par with Rolex.  I like that the PO is a large watch with amazing readability during any time of the day. The watch looks great worn with a T-shirt or a short sleeve shirt. The thickness of the case (just over 14mm) maybe a bit on the larger size when worn with a dress shirt, although I only feel that when I wear a suit & with a tie and my PO. Without the tie, the PO 'becomes less big', but that's just how I feel. In any case, the PO with the 2500 movement is thinner than the updated PO with the thicker 8500 movement. To me, the Planet Ocean 2500 caliber has an attractive price/value ratio but that's not the reason why I chose the PO. I simply enjoy having a  heavy (not light), powerful looking and nicely designed timepiece on my wrist.