The Omega Planet Ocean METAS certified timepiece

I'm a big fan of Omega, this company has plenty of heritage to draw upon but it is the current models that I really like. The Seamaster line is 70 years old with the Diver 300, Aqua Terra 150, Seamaster 300, Railmaster and Planet Ocean 600 as the current range with 13 or so variations within the Planet Ocean category.

My favourite Planet Ocean is the blue chronograph reference 215.30.46.51.03.001, the deep lacquered blue dial and ceramic bezel insert really sets the timepiece apart from competitors in my view.

Aesthetics aside, the powerplant is the 9900 co-axial movement that is METAS certified as a master chronometer with co-axial technology first designed by George Daniels and implemented by Omega. The Planet Ocean is a big timepiece with a 45.5 mm diameter that sits well on larger wrists but probably wouldn't work for smaller wrists.

The eight tests to attain METAS certification by the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology are administered at Omega headquarters in Biel. The METAS tests exceeds the Contrôle Officiel Suisse Des Chronomètres (COSC) certification that the majority of high-end Swiss timepieces comply to meet chronometer certification.

Whilst METAS testing is pretty much an Omega certification, any brand may submit their timepiece for the 10 day certification process.

The eight METAS tests are:

1. Average daily precision of the watch.
2. Function of COSC approved movement during exposure to 15,000 Gauss magnetic field.
3. Function of watch during exposure to 15,000 Gauss magnetic field.
4. Deviation of daily precision after exposure to 15,000 Gauss magnetic field.
5. Water resistance.
6. Power reserve.
7. Deviation of rate between 100% and 33% of power reserve.
8. Deviation of rate in six positions. 

Not all Omega timepieces achieve the METAS certification with only the high-end currently seeking such certification although I believe Omega is transitioning all timepieces over to METAS certification.

The Si14 silicon balance spring, otherwise know as a hairspring that together with the balance wheel forms the harmonic oscillator in nonferrous ensuring the balance spring is not magnetised for magnetic resistance.  

The other and older method to protect watches from magnetic fields is to encase the movement in a magnetic permeable cage, usually iron to attract the magnetic field ensuring the movement is unaffected. Needless to say, the Planet Ocean 600 chronograph is well outside of my price range.

I do like to wander in an Omega boutique to try on a Planet Ocean from time to time when overseas to admire the engineering. Unfortunately, this chronograph won't be taking pride of place in my watch collection anytime soon.