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I asked this on an Omega forum, but it gets so little traffic, I'm not getting much feedback. I don't know if I'll have better luck here, but it's worth a try. Has anyone seen the limited edition Omega Planet Ocean, with the ceramic bezel and dial? If so, were you able to tell if the dial looks any different from the dial on the standard PO? The LE dial is ceramic, whereas the standard dial is stamped metal, but I don't know how that affects its appearance. Pictures of the LE make the dial look fairly glossy/shiny, whereas the standard dial is definitely matte. One blog reviewer claims to have seen no difference between the two when inspecting the LE at a boutique, but I'm not sure I trust his observations. The LE costs nearly $2k more than the standard version, so I'm trying to find out how different it is, beyond just the ceramic bezel and some fancy numbering on the caseback, to see if it's worth the additional cash.

I've never seen one in person, but clearly form the pics you posted it's a lot more glossy than the standard PO. The other differences I see are the applied hour numbers on the dial in addition to the applied "omega" on the dial. The word "seamaster" is in red compared to white on the standard PO. These are all nice touches I think. The one thing I don't like is the way the date is cut into the dial. On the liquid metal it's a just a simple straight cut out where as on the standard PO it's a beveled cut out, which I think is much nicer. I also don't like the black writing on on the case back which makes it a little busy looking.

I have to say that I love my PO and could only imagine how nice the liquid metal is.

You should PM fr John, the person who posted the photos in your link. He seems to love his PO and seems to have lots on info on omegas in general. Also, the omega forum on wus is quite busy so you may get more responses there.

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Regards,

Peter

BREITLING for Bentley Motors T & Mark VI, Aerospace
ROLEX Submariner Ceramic116610LN
OMEGA Plantet Ocean 8500 42mm Orange arabics
OCEAN7 LM-3

Thanks, Pete. I appreciate the insights. I did PM Fr. John - in fact, that was one of the first things I did, along with asking these same question both in his thread, and in my own thread on that forum. I don't think he's even gotten the message, since I haven't gotten any receipt confirmation. The forum there is slow there compared to here. But hopefully I'll get some input at some point. I'll also check out WUS and see what I can find out.

Good call on pointing out the applied numerals on the LE. I thought the standard PO had them, too, but in reexamining pictures of it, I can see that the indexes and Omega logo are applied, whereas the numerals appear to be painted. I agree with you about the date window on the LE, but on balance, that's something I can put up with. Ditto with the writing on the back. The red "Seamaster" is another nice touch, as you say, but I wasn't sure that was enough to sway me, if the dial wasn't substantially different otherwise. It's starting to look like it is, though. Another factor that makes it icing on the cake is that my other Omega is a limited edition Seamaster Pro, so having two Omega LEs would be a pretty sweet deal.

I'm glad to hear you love your PO. Do you have the 42 or 45.5? I greatly enjoy my Seamaster, which is what prompted me to look more seriously at the PO, as sort of a way of expanding the "family," if that makes sense.

Thanks again.

Hi Jackson.

The dial on the LiquidMetal LE is actually a laquered finish. It is very glossy and very different to the standard PO in my opinion. Very classy in fact, which fits in perfectly with the ceramic bezel and the liquid metal markings on the bezel.

I have seen one in person and the visual effect of the dial and bezel is stunning. I just wish they had used the 45.5mm model for this LE.

Rumours have it that the liquid metal bezel will become an option on all POs after Basel next year. This is good news but I would prefer them to include the laquered dial as an option as well.

The LiquidMetal LE is fair more appealing than the standard PO. Both because of the visual and more robust nature of the material used. Whether it is worth $2000 more is very much open to debate though.

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Ricardo - THANK YOU. That was the feedback I was looking for, and you have helped me make up my mind. I knew that blogger's observations didn't sound right. If/when I get the PO LE, I think I'll send him pictures and tell him he needs to get his eyes checked. I too have heard that the ceramic bezels are going to be an option for the standard PO line in 2011, but if the dials remain the standard matte finish, that still makes the PO LE unique. I hear you about the 45.5, although, since I'm only interested in the 42 anyway, I'm actually happy that at least they chose the 42, if not both sizes, for the LE. Now I just have to see if I can get my hands on one. I've already got my feelers out.

There was a thread on this site a year or two ago discussing the watch. I dont remember the details, but if you do a search you should be able to pull it up.

EDIT: Here it is: viewtopic.php?f=6&t=13375

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-RJ

Thanks, RJ. I guess I should have done a search. Having said that, that particular thread pretty much rehashes what I've already come across (e.g., speculation, stock pics, etc.), since it was posted at the time of the original announcement, and isn't based on firsthand observations of the watch. Fortunately, an eagle-eyed member here has pointed me to some recent threads on another forum that give me the lowdown. I welcome further comments, but at this point, I feel I've found out what I need to know. BTW, you're right about the price. Retail is $5700, not $6800.

For an Omega, that isht is tight.

Awesome comment. Omega doesn't get much respect in these parts, but I like 'em - at least some of them.

Well I don't know about the Liquidmetal LE as I haven't seen it yet, but I do like my Seamaster Pro Chronograph a lot....in fact wearing it now as I speak.

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Yeah Nathan, I don't like many of what Omega has in thier line either, but that one is in another league.

There are a few Omega diehards around here still.

ricardo is right on the money, by the way, I second his comments.

Agree with both points ricardo. I'm not sure I'm spend the extra $2000 on it, but it is very attractive looking. I'd like to see them make a Liquid Metal on the 45.5mm Chrono. I love the use of ceramics on Bezels...I just wish it wasn't $2k more. I love my Planet Ocean...such a solid solid watch.

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"I don't own any watches, I just lease them"

Pretty nice PO there, Serge. The rubber PO strap, like the one on your watch, is the nicest rubber strap I've seen. I love the way the ends conform to the case, like endpieces on a bracelet.

Thanks. That type of strap is called a closed end strap, I really like it also. The rubber straps on Omega's are great; they actually have a leather-like appearance due to the white stitching and they're super comfortable.

EDIT...eventhough I probably wouldn't spring the extra cash for the Liquid Metal, I love the fact that they are using cermaics and new metals in their watches. The new bezel is extremely scratch resistance; I enjoy that type of innovation.

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"I don't own any watches, I just lease them"