The 2011 Omega Hour Vision Co-Axial Skeleton Platinum (ref. 431.93.41.21.64.001) has the usual solid dial swapped for a sapphire one that offers a super view at its skeletonized co-axial movement. It comes in a massive case crafted from 950 platinum. Now that’s what I call inconspicuous consumption!
Launched more than four years ago together with their new, completely in-house Caliber 8500 automatic movement, the Omega Hour Vision enjoyed some considerable popularity among those young successful men looking for a dressy, yet modern-looking gadget for the ultra-rich.
The main points of attraction were its numerous cut-outs on the sides of the case that were covered with sapphire crystals designed to allow more light into the case.
Some argue that the “illuminators” were not particularly successful in doing their job, however, they made the watch more interesting to look at.
So, again, the Omega Hour Vision was and is quite popular considering its hefty price tag of around €5000 for stainless steel iteration.
Recently, the brand has even presented a limited-edition version. The Hour Vision Blue was presented by the brand’s ambassador Daniel Craig and sold for the benefit of the ORBIS International foundation that combats preventable blindness.
As that was not enough, they have just revealed another, much more expensive version.
Delivered in a 950 platinum case, the watch is powered by an extensively skeletonized Omega Co-Axial caliber 8403.
Tied together with polished screws, the movement features lots of sand-blasted and sunburst-finished surfaces.
To make the caliber look even more expensive, Omega equipped the winding rotor with a hand-decorated oscillating weight made of 18-karat gold.
Like the other Hour Vision models, the new model features a mechanism that allows for incremental adjustment of its hour hand, a convenient feature if you happen to often travel between different time zones.
To provide a better view of the meticulously decorated movement, the watch also features a sapphire dial that sports a metalized Omega logo at 12 o’clock.
Too bad that they decided to remove the date window from its usual position at 3 o’clock.
Sure, if left as is, the calendar wheel would definitely ruin the stately elegance of the Skeleton Platinum. However, the hour track seems to be wide enough to hide the wheel beneath it.
See also: F.P. Journe Octa UTC Automatic
Anyway, what’s done is done. Omega has released the model in a limited edition of just 88 pieces with a fairly impressive minimum recommended street price of €39,000. I hope, they will manage to sell them all.
Photos: Omega
Omega De Ville Hour Vision Co-Axial Skeleton Platinum 31.93.41.21.64.001 specification
Price: €39,000 (MSRP)
Movement: Automatic, Omega Co-Axial caliber 8403, 28,800 vph, two spring barrels, in-house, Swiss Made
Movement decoration: Skeletonized, polished screws, 18-karat gold rotor
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds
Power reserve: 60 hours
Case: 950 platinum
Shape: Round
Size: 41.00 mm
Dial: Sapphire with a metalized Omega logo
Hands: Platinum, polished
Water resistance: 100 meters
Strap: Matt black leather strap on a polished 950 platinum buckle
Crystal: Sapphire, antireflective
Back: Sapphire