Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Liquidmetal Limited Edition

WPS member · Omega forum

8 replies1815 views0 photos

Kong announces the launch of the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Liquidmetal Limited Edition, a groundbreaking watch that pioneers the seamless bonding of ceramics and Liquidmetal. This release highlights Omega's innovative material science and its commitment to advancing watchmaking technology.

8 collectors discussing this on the WatchProSite forumJoin the Conversation →

OMEGA’s stunning union of ceramics and Liquidmetal®
A world premiere!

OMEGA has announced the launch of the Seamaster Planet Ocean Liquidmetal® Limited Edition, the world’s first watch to bond ceramics and Liquidmetal^®.

Swatch Group researchers collaborating with OMEGA’s product development team have created a striking ceramic diving bezel whose numbers and scaling, made of the Liquidmetal® alloy, appear in stunning silvery contrast to the black ceramic background. The colour of the ceramic dial perfectly matches that of the bezel. The result is an aesthetic wonder only made possible by several new and innovative processes.

The remarkable world premiere is being launched in a limited edition of 1948 pieces in honour of the year OMEGA launched its popular Seamaster watch line.

Liquidmetal® : seamless bonding, remarkable hardness
The Liquidmetal® alloy is an amorphous metal – a metallic material with a disordered, non-crystalline atomic structure. Its fusion temperature is half that of conventional titanium alloys but when it is cooled, its hardness is three times as great as that of stainless steel. Its amorphous structure allows it to bond seamlessly with the ceramic bezel.
The Liquidmetal® is a bulk metallic glass alloy consisting of five elements: zirconium, titanium, copper, nickel and beryllium. A bulk metallic glass can, by virtue of its low critical cooling rate, be formed into a structure with a thickness of more than a tenth of a millimetre. Zirconium is an important constituent part both of the Liquidmetal® alloy and of the ceramic material which is made of zirconium dioxide (Zr02).
The final, perfectly smooth bezel is particularly resistant to scratching and corrosion because of the hardness of the two components.

The union of ceramics and Liquidmetal® at OMEGA
First, ceramic rings are formed. The numbers and the fine lines of the minute scaling are then engraved into these ceramic bezel rings and polished. The alloy is heated and pressed into the cavities in the ceramic material after which any excess Liquidmetal® is removed. The Liquidmetal® can be manipulated at a lower temperature than metals normally used in watchmaking so the heating process does not damage the ceramic material.
The Liquidmetal® numbers and scales are then satin brushed. Because the ceramic is a harder material than the alloy, the satin brushing of the fine details can be done without affecting the ceramic bezel. The numbers and scaling then appear in bold, vivid contrast to the glossy ceramic background.

Redefining longevity in the watch industry
The OMEGA Seamaster Planet Ocean Liquidmetal® Limited Edition, which has a stainless steel case and bracelet, is driven by OMEGA’s revolutionary Co-Axial calibre 2500. These movements, which have been heralded for their long-term chronometric performance, are perfectly complemented by the ceramic and Liquidmetal® alloy components which are incredibly resistant to corrosion and scratching. The result is pure OMEGA : a design premiere which will retain its appearance indefinitely, blended with innovative Co-Axial technology.

Key Points from the Discussion

Liquidmetal is an amorphous metal with a disordered atomic structure, allowing for superior molding and casting compared to traditional crystalline metals, which simplifies manufacturing complex shapes.
A contributor expresses a dilemma, as new innovative models like the Liquidmetal Planet Ocean make it harder to narrow down their watch acquisition list.
The use of Liquidmetal only on the bezel, rather than for a more complex component like the case, is seen as a missed opportunity to fully demonstrate the material's advanced properties to the consumer.
A user expresses interest in seeing Rolex implement similar material innovations for models like the Submariner.
The technical details of Liquidmetal's metallurgy are acknowledged as complex, indicating the advanced nature of the innovation.

The Discussion

darma

Oct 9, 2009

looks very nice

i wish rolex would do something like this with the submariner! Any idea on when these are on the market? Could you still use a rubber strap with this as well?

Ruckdee

Oct 20, 2009

I'm quite confident the standard PO rubber strap of correct size will fit. [nt]

No message body

Dr No

Oct 9, 2009

(sigh) . . . as if I needed a reason to make another trip . . .

. . . to the Beverly HIlls Omega boutique! I can't wait to see this one in the liquid metal ;-) . . . with anticipation, Art

G99

Oct 9, 2009

interesting.......

thats about all i can say at this time as i dont really understand all this hi tech metallergy. Graham

BDLJ

Oct 12, 2009

Nerdy metallurgy time, Graham!

In simplest terms, this stuff is a metal with an amorphous structure. That is, it's atomic structure is 'random' rather than the ordered crystalline atomic structures (think of cubes and lattices with atoms at the nodes) metals usually take. It flows better than 'normal' metals which means it can be more effectively moulded and cast. This means you can cast a complex shape that would usually have to required machining to form in a traditional material. A big advantage in manufacturing. The disap

G99

Oct 12, 2009

thanks Ben, the metallurgy King...

thanks Ben, the metallurgy King speaks again :) best Graham