Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M GMT Ref 232.30.44.22.01.001 Black Dial VS Factory Super Clone

VS Factory Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 232.30.44.22.01.001 — Full Hands-On Review

So VS Factory finally dropped their take on the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean GMT. The ref is 232.30.44.22.01.001, black dial. And honestly? This one's been a long time coming.

KW Factory had this exact reference a while back. I actually pushed that version pretty hard because the watch itself is just stunning — and they nailed the hacking seconds function, which was a big deal at the time. But that was then.

VS changed the game with their clone 8500 movement. Everything else feels dated now.

The Clone 8500 — Why VS Owns This Series

Let's get into the movement first because that's where this whole thing lives or dies.

VS built a full clone of the cal. 8500. Not a decorated miyota with fancy plates bolted on top. An actual structural clone. The rotor, the gear train, the balance wheel at 6 o'clock — it mirrors gen architecture. Black balance wheel, proper screw placements, all of it.

Function-wise you're getting independent hour hand adjustment, reverse date correction, and the GMT hand tracks correctly. Basically every complication works the way it does on a gen piece.

This movement is the reason VS dominates the entire Omega 8500 lineup right now. No one else is close. And from what I'm seeing they plan to roll it out across every 8500-based ref eventually.

Case & Build — 43.5mm Sweet Spot

Quick note on sizing. This isn't 42. It's not 45 either. It sits at 43.5mm which is the same as gen Planet Ocean 600M. Wears substantial without being a dinner plate.

Case finishing from VS is mature at this point — they've been doing Omega long enough that the brushing and polishing are dialed in. Sapphire crystal has great clarity. The ceramic bezel insert carries orange-filled indices that really pop against either dial color.

Blue Dial vs Black Dial

VS currently offers two versions: blue and black. There's actually a third variant — black dial with orange markers at 6, 9, and 12 — but I didn't have it on hand so no pics this time.

The blue dial though. Man. It's got this deep, saturated tone that photographs can't fully capture. Paired with the orange bezel markings and the orange seconds hand, the whole package is seriously eye-catching. One of the better looking reps I've handled in a while.

The black dial 232.30.44.22.01.001 goes the other direction — classic, understated, easy to wear daily. VS still kept the GMT text in orange on this one. Omega has always had a thing for orange accents across the Planet Ocean line, especially on the anniversary and special edition pieces. It works.

GMT Function — How It Actually Operates

Bezel rotation is bidirectional as you'd expect on a GMT. Resistance feels right, not too clicky, not too loose.

For setting: unscrew the crown, pull to first position — you can jump the hour hand independently. Date corrects in both directions. Pull to second position for time setting and the GMT hand follows along. Whole thing mirrors the gen operating procedure exactly.

Does the average buyer actually need a GMT function? Probably not. But knowing it works correctly and isn't just decorative — that matters when you're paying VS prices.

The "Good Planet" Detail

One thing worth mentioning. This is the Good Planet Foundation special edition, so you'll see "GOOD PLANET" printed on the dial along with a blue special edition marking. The regular silver-dial version doesn't carry any of that. Kind of a cool detail if you're into the story behind the watch.

Clasp & Wrist Presence

Standard folding clasp. Nothing revolutionary here, same construction VS has been using — it does the job fine.

On wrist this thing wears bold. No getting around it at 43.5mm with that chunky Planet Ocean case profile. If you like presence, you'll dig it.

Pricing & Final Thoughts

Yeah it costs more than the old KW version did. Noticeably more. But you're paying for the 8500 clone movement and everything that comes with it — the correct complications, the accurate architecture, the fact that it passes a casual caseback inspection. The movement alone justifies the premium.

If you're shopping for a Planet Ocean GMT rep with working complications and solid build quality, VS Factory's 232.30.44.22.01.001 is pretty much the only serious option right now. The blue dial is the head-turner, the black dial is the daily wearer. Either way you're getting a well-sorted piece.