Two new models in precious metal add an elegant dimension to a collection launched earlier this year in Basel.
Quick Take
Back in Basel, two of the cooler-looking wristwatches Omega showed us were limited editions to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Seamaster, a postwar classic of Swiss watch design that enjoyed popularity among returning British servicemen.
One had a small seconds, the other a center seconds. Both were powered by a Master Chronometer movement packaged in a 38mm stainless steel case, and had vintage styling that tied them back to the golden age of mid-century watchmaking. Each was also limited to 1,948 pieces. At the time, we assumed that these two 38mm limited were it for the collection. But two days ago, Omega added two new platinum watches to its Omega Seamaster 1948 limited editions – a center seconds and a small seconds, 70 each – following the same pattern. Both of these new platinum pieces are also Master Chronometers, which means that in addition to being certified chronometers, they have been subjected to a rigorous battery of tests, including for resistance to magnetic fields..
Initial Thoughts
These new platinum additions have the same winning looks as the stainless steel models launched earlier this year, but there are a few aesthetic details that differentiate them from their slightly more pedestrian white-metal brethren. While both steel versions have hands that match their silvery dials, the platinum models have real platinum dials and gold hands. The platinum central seconds version has 18k Sedna gold hands, meaning they are made from Omega's proprietary rose gold alloy, while the small seconds version has yellow gold hands and comes on a hunter green strap.
The movements powering both of these new watches are similar to those powering the steel versions, but they bear slightly different caliber numbers. It seems that these slightly different numbers can be attributed to the fact that each of these movements is a souped up version of the basic model. Each has a rotor and balance bridge made of Sedna gold, which can be seen through a distinctive boat motif on the sapphire crystal caseback. Each platinum edition is also presented with a soft brown leather collector's box with additional leather straps and a strap changing tool.
And in case you missed it, Omega recently announced that it was upping the factory warranty on all of its new watches to five years. That new level of coverage applies to these new platinum models and the steel ones we reported on back in March.
The Basics
Brand: Omega
Model: Seamaster 1948 Limited Editions
Reference Number: 511.93.38.20.99.001 (small seconds); ref. 511.93.38.20.99.002 (central seconds)
Diameter: 38mm
Thickness: 11.65mm (small seconds), 11.20 (center seconds)
Case Material: Platinum
Dial Color: Platinum
Indexes: Yellow gold (small seconds); Sedna gold (central seconds)
Lume: Yes, on hands and indexes (center seconds only)
Water Resistance: 60 meters
Strap/Bracelet: Green or brown alligator strap. Both models come with extra straps.
The Movements
Caliber: Cal. 8807 (central seconds) and Cal. 8805 (small seconds)
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds (small or central)
Diameter: 26mm (cal. 8807); cal. 26mm (cal. 8805)
Thickness: 4.7mm (cal. 8807); 5.4mm (cal. 8805)
Winding: Automatic
Frequency: 3.5 Hz (25,200 vph)
METAS Master Chronometer Certified
Pricing & Availability
Price: CHF 39,500 (small seconds); CHF 39,000 (central seconds)
Limited Edition: 70 pieces of each model
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