Freelance editor Yuzo Takeishi recommends the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean among the new models for 2025!

In this series, prominent watch journalists will be highlighting their "one watch that catches your eye" or "one watch that they highly recommend" from among the new models released in 2025. Freelance editor Yuzo Takeishi, who "encountered a watch that moved me so much in 2025 that I bought a lottery ticket for the first time in over a decade," has carefully considered choosing the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean as his theme model for this issue.

2025 is a year filled with great watches, and after much deliberation, I recommend the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean.

　I received the annual end-of-year mission, "Name one watch of 2025." If I were asked to name a few, I could name many. And this year, I came across a watch that really moved me, so much so that I bought a lottery ticket for the first time in over a decade. "If I win first prize, I'll buy that watch," "No, if I win first prize, maybe I'll buy two?!" "What if I win second prize... hmm, maybe this watch?!" In addition to "that watch," there were plenty of other great watches. I didn't end up getting my hands on any of them, but I was able to dream big.

　After much deliberation, I decided on the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean. Launched in 2005, it's one of Omega's most iconic collections, and has undergone steady updates ever since. The new model, just released in November, is the first new-generation model since 2016, excluding the Gachi Divers Ultra Deep, and I was deeply impressed by the evolution of its exterior, its greatest feature.

　The transformation was obvious the moment you saw the watch, even before you even held it in your hands. Unlike previous models, which were composed of gently curved cases, the new model has an edgy design that is primarily composed of straight lines and flat surfaces. Moreover, the helium escape valve at 10 o'clock, which was a characteristic of the collection, has been removed, further accentuating the sharp design. To match this, the bracelet has also been redesigned with a combination of flat surfaces. The bracelet is reminiscent of the original Seamaster 300, but like the edgy case, flat surfaces and straight lines are emphasized, giving it a look that is completely modern while still retaining the Planet Ocean style.

　I was even more impressed when I actually wore it. It no longer had the bulky impression of the previous model, and looked much smarter. That's because the previous standard model had a case diameter of 43.5mm, while the new Planet Ocean is 42mm. The case thickness has also been slimmed down from 16.09mm to 13.79mm. What's more, the sapphire crystal and bezel have been changed to a flat style to match the shape of the case, so it's clear that the watch has become slimmer just by looking at it.

　The dial design, including the arrow-shaped hour and minute hands and thick indexes filled with Super-LumiNova, follows the previous Planet Ocean models, but what caught my eye were the Arabic numerals at 12, 3, 6, and 9. They are more three-dimensional than before, and, as I learned from checking the materials, the font has been changed to an angular openwork design. Perhaps because of this, the dial is more powerful than any previous model, which I feel contributes greatly to the modern atmosphere of this watch.

　There are three color variations. Each color has its own charm, but the one we'd choose here is the iconic orange. The orange ceramic bezel, which was completed in 2014, has a vibrant color that gives the watch a pop impression while also evoking elegance. The Arabic numeral indexes are varnished to match the color and luster of the bezel, a truly impressive detail.

　As with the 2021 Speedmaster Moonwatch, Omega updates its standard models in compelling ways. This new-generation Planet Ocean maintains its signature style while also being well-adjusted for today's era. It's a timeless addition to a well-established model, so you can't go wrong...or rather, it's the best choice.