No matter how needless watch features can be, fans still love having them on their wrists. Every new watch that introduces new features and unprecedented complications catches the lovers’ attention right away. And currently, there is no smartphone that couldn’t reproduce the functions of the most complicated watch. But still, watch enthusiasts tirelessly hunt them for their beautiful designs.
Why am I writing all this? you would ask. I’m actually writing this because, with the recent releases of Omega and Rolex, I caught myself thinking that watches are far beyond timekeeping tools. These are symbols of competition and ambition. Brands no longer build timepieces to solve the audience’s needs to keep track of time. They build them because they are hungry to see what the limits of horology are, if there are any. If you still disagree with me, take the Speedmaster X-33 Marstimer as an example. This new release is literally keeping the Mart time, how about that? So, that’s the perfect timepiece for when you go to Mars next weekend.
Too much theory, huh? Let’s then go to the practical part and compare two of the loudest recent releases. As previously, two watch giants compete in the arena: Omega and Rolex. While the former is under the Swatch Holding Group’s wing, the latter is as independent as it can be. Does it influence the ambition and achievement degree of the brands? We’re about to discover it in this article.
Let the battle begin
The big brands are ready to do the impossible to overtake their own standards and accomplishments. In this regard, Omega has recently announced the release of a watch that is able to work well at unimaginable depths, at the bottom of the oceans. I’m not even sure if a professional diver would resist at those depths. Still, OMEGA made it to prove itself that it can.
On the other side of the coin, Rolex didn’t delay much in announcing the release of a model that can go even deeper than that. That sounds really insane and I just couldn’t miss the subject. Saying that these two pieces are record-breaking is saying nothing. That’s why I took my time to make a deep analysis just like these two watches are: deep.
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Deepsea Challenge 126067 vs OMEGA Seamaster Planet Ocean Ultra Deep 215.92.46.21.01.001
To begin with, I’ll go through the technical aspects before sharing my personal and subjective opinion about these two masters of the deep. And also, what you need to know is that these two technical marvels aren’t built for specific practical use. They are about development, evolution, and progress.
Technical differences
Perhaps, it’s not news to you that the new Rolex Challenge is huge in terms of dimensions. Its case is 50mm and I think that half of the audience with small wrists wanting this watch has just given up the idea. In contrast, Omega preserves the dimensions within reasonable limits, integrating the case in a 45,5mm. Also generous in size, but much closer to reality.
In terms of height, Rolex also takes the lead and comes in 23 mm thickness, whereas Omega is only 18,1mm. It’s not a disadvantage though. On the contrary, if watch enthusiasts were to choose between the two thickness options, most probably they would go for the thinner Omega.
In terms of case material, both brands are more or less, on the same page. Both come in titanium, the only difference is that the Rolex version sounds somewhat louder: “RLX Titanium”. But, we all know that there is no significant difference.
As expected, each of the watches runs on its own brand in-house movement. Rolex opted for its calibre 3230, just like for the new generation Air King. Omega decided to use the Co-Axial Master chronometer calibre 8912, the same as we see in PloProf and Planet Ocean collections.
It’s not all…
Another difference refers to the bracelets of these watches. While Rolex promised the entire watch construction to be from titanium, the bracelet is… titanium. On the other side, the Swatch member went for a NATO polyamide fabric. A pretty logical decision for a deep diver.
One common feature of these two engineering marvels is their crystals. Both of them come with a sapphire crystal on the dial, antireflective and outstandingly resistant, obviously.
One of the most important technical aspects is the water resistance profile. Omega boasts 6,000 meters, while Rolex-with 11,000 meters. Just imagine, 11 km down the ocean and no impact on the watch. The question is not “who is going to dive so far?”, but rather “how, in the name of God, could Rolex do that? ”
These are, more or less, the main technical differences between the two marvels. Oh, there is one more difference, but it doesn’t have anything to do with the engineering profile. It’s about the price. How much would you expect these watches to be? One of them is about $40,000, while the other one is about $18,800. Guess who is who!
Spicing up with a bit of history
Watch experts still dispute which of the two marvels came up first. As a matter of fact, Rolex introduced the Deepsea Challenge 126067 a lit later than Omega showed its OMEGA Seamaster Planet Ocean Ultra Deep. Still, the 126067 concept had been created far earlier in 2012. Actually, the model is a continuation of the Deepsea Challenge Submersible that James Cameron took to the Mariana Trench depths. Therefore, the 126067 is somewhat a prototype of that experimental Deepsea version. Technically, they are different watches. But, conceptually, they refer to the same line descending one from another.
Either way, Omega offered its new marvel to the world in 2019. The brand partnered with Victor Vescovo who proudly wore the omega on his wrist during the expedition to the 5 deepest points of the Earth. At that time, Omega reached 8 meters deeper than its competitor.
Similarities
Even if Rolex claims to have no competitors, there is still a hidden competition between both watchmakers. More than that, despite the many technical differences between these two models, there are several things making them similar to each other. It’s about the fact that both of the watches are monsters to conquer the depth. To make that possible, both brands found it appropriate to use titanium in order to exclude issues associated with stainless steel pure performance at extreme depths.
Also, both brands did the impossible to obtain the lightest versions possible for their watches, as lightweight was crucial to balance the oversized dimensions. In addition, both brands used the Helium Escape Valve in their watches’ construction to prevent damage associated with decompression. Actually, the usage of the helium escape valve was a mandatory measure, considering the extreme water pressure the watches were planned to resist.
Models’ specifics
The novelty of the very first full titanium Rolex watch surprised the whole watch community. Still, the brand decided to take it gradually and not make dramatic moves in design. Therefore, the new Deepsea Challenge has so many familiar design features including, but not limited to the Mercedes hands and rod and plain markers.
Halfway around, Omega brings to the table a sandblasted titanium watch case matching greatly with a black ceramic brushed bezel. The titanium features a matte texture and I must say that the matte looks great with the blue accents on the dial. Even if the Omega depth monster is more versatile in proportions than the Deepsea, none of them are for daily use purposes, no matter how much you like them. Their purpose is to show off the power and ambition of the watchmakers.