Omega, which famously incorporated actual lunar meteorite into the dial of its 50th Anniversary Speedmaster Moonwatch, has turned to some rare and precious materials found right here on Earth for the dials of two recently released pieces in its Seamaster 300 collection. One combines a lapis lazuli dial with a platinum-gold case, the other a malachite dial with an 18k yellow gold case.
Omega Seamaster 300 with lapis lazuli dial and platinum-gold case
The blue-hued dial of the first model is made of the semi-precious stone lapis lazuli, composed mainly of the mineral lazurite and prized since antiquity for its dazzling ultramarine color. Used by royal dynasties in ancient Egypt, which carved and polished into statues and other objects, its color was once described by Marco Polo as “the finest azure in the world.” Its 41-mm case, made of the alloy platinum-gold, has a bezel ring in polished blue ceramic; the bezel’s traditional dive scale is executed in platinum Liquidmetal. The hands are in 18k white gold and the leather strap harmonizes with the blues of the dial and bezel. The blue ceramic bezel insert has a platinum Liquidmetal dive scale.
The dial of the second new Seamaster 300 projects the radiating green tones of malachite, a gemstone used for centuries in the decoration of sacred temples, palaces, and churches and appreciated for its vibrant, verdant green colors. Omega sourced the malachite for this dial from South Africa, one of several African cou...